The Pixel 9 Pro Fold camera reveals the compromise of the iPhone 17 Slim

Google has completely overhauled the Pixel Fold 2, starting with the name. The successor to the Pixel Fold is called the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Google included it in the Pixel 9 series revealed earlier this week. Of course, the name isn’t the biggest change here. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is much thinner and lighter than its predecessor. It also has a massive foldable screen with small symmetrical bezels.

The specs almost match the Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL, so the Pixel 9 Pro Fold will be just as capable as its non-folding siblings. However, Google made a big compromise to get this form factor right. I think it’s a teaser of the compromise Apple will have to make with the rumored iPhone 17 Slim next year. It’s also the kind of compromise that explains why the iPhone 17 Slim won’t be as good a flagship as the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max.

Before the Pixel 9 event, we said that the iPhone 17 Slim could be the perfect iPhone. I’d like a thinner iPhone, even if it means losing some of the Pro features from the higher-end models. I didn’t explain at the time what kind of features I’d be willing to give up. But I can only think of two differentiators that really matter.

One could be the chip, as Apple could opt for a non-Pro version of the A19 System-on-Chips (SoC) next year. Then again, Apple needs an efficient next-generation chip to achieve a slim design for the iPhone 17. So this year it delivered a slimmer-than-ever iPad Pro. The M4 was a key factor.

The camera is the other big hardware detail that separates the non-Pro iPhones from the Pros. The iPhone 17 Slim may not pack the same camera module as the iPhone 17 Pro Max. We haven’t gotten to the point where rear cameras can support thin form factors. Looking at the M4 iPad Pro, we see proof of this. Apple ditched one of the cameras found on the previous model to give us the thin profile.

Where does the Pixel 9 Pro Fold fit into all of this? Check out the camera comparison above between the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, 9 Pro XL and 9 Pro. Google used different camera hardware on the foldable models compared to the non-foldable models.

While Google’s algorithms will surely make up for the lack of megapixels, it’s clear that Google couldn’t fit the Pixel 9 Pro’s rear cameras onto the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

It’s not just speculation. During a briefing ahead of Tuesday’s event, Google confirmed that the thin design of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold dictated the camera choices.

Google chose a slim rear camera system because it wanted the Pixel 9 Pro Fold to be slim and pocketable. The foldable phone was supposed to have a slim profile even when folded. With the Pixel 9 Pro Fold measuring 10.5mm when folded and the Pixel 9 Pros being 8.5mm thick, it looks like Google has achieved its design goal.

The trade-off makes the Pixel 9 Pro Fold a less-than-good flagship than the other Pixel 9 Pro variants, even though they all have the word “Pro” in the name. As you can see above, the rear camera system can’t match the capabilities of other Pro phones.

Since I mentioned the SoC options for the iPhone 17 Slim, I’ll remind you that all three Pixel 9 Pro models have the same Tensor G4 chip. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold will offer the same performance as the other pros. Only the camera hardware is inferior.

Back to the iPhone 17 Slim, the phone can’t be a true flagship if its camera can’t match the iPhone 17 Pro Max, even though the two devices contain identical chips. The biggest iPhone in Apple’s lineup usually has the best camera hardware. I would have no problem with such a trade-off, and I say this as someone who considers the iPhone 16 Plus to be my next iPhone purchase.