Samsung could learn a thing or two from the Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s ‘phone-first’ philosophy
Google details how it designed a thinner, better device with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
JoriPress
- Google published a blog post detailing the design philosophy behind the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, aimed to make it feel more like a regular smartphone when folded.
- The “phone first” approach led to design choices such as a 20:9 aspect ratio display, a new hinge, and a much slimmer design.
- The blog post also discusses other design tweaks, such as a custom haptics driver, a smaller USB-C port, and re-engineered thermal architecture.
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold might be the least “Pro” Pixel this year, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a significant upgrade over its predecessor. To emphasize this point, Google recently published a blog post detailing the company’s design philosophy behind the new foldable. The post highlights a complete redesign focused on creating a thinner device that prioritizes a traditional smartphone experience when closed, a concept Google refers to as the “phone first” philosophy.
The post discusses how the design philosophy behind the Pixel 9 Pro Fold was driven by how users interacted with the original model. Claude Zellweger, Google’s director of industrial design, noted that many users frequently used the device in its folded state, leading the team to prioritize the “phone first” approach. This meant designing the Pixel 9 Pro Fold to function primarily as a smartphone, with the added benefit of foldable functionality.
