# The Aspect Ratio Was Flawless, and I Fear It Won’t Be Reproduced Again
In the realm of foldable smartphones, the design decisions made by manufacturers can greatly influence user experience. Among the most vital design components is the aspect ratio, which affects how content is presented and how applications function on the device. In 2023, Google introduced the original **Pixel Fold**, a device that boldly strayed from the standard tall and narrow foldable phone designs. Its distinctive, squat, and wide aspect ratio was refreshing, providing a more tablet-like experience when opened. Regrettably, with the advent of its successor, the **Pixel 9 Pro Fold**, Google returned to a more conventional design, causing many—including myself—to mourn the loss of what felt like the ideal aspect ratio.
## The Pixel Fold’s Distinct Aspect Ratio
Most foldable smartphones available today, including the **Samsung Galaxy Z Fold** series and the **Honor Magic V3**, adhere to a similar design ethos: tall and narrow when folded, and more square-like when opened. This design choice primarily stems from the objective to retain a familiar smartphone profile when the device is closed. However, this methodology frequently leads to awkward app functionality and underutilized screen space when the device is expanded.
The original **Google Pixel Fold** embraced an alternative direction. Rather than conforming to the tall-and-narrow design, it chose a wider, squat form when closed. Upon unfolding, the Pixel Fold’s inner display closely resembled a landscape 16:9 aspect ratio, aligning much more with a tablet. This design choice made the Pixel Fold feel like a genuine hybrid between smartphone and tablet, providing an enhanced experience for applications and media usage.
## Why the Pixel Fold’s Aspect Ratio Was Flawless
### 1. **Optimized for Applications**
One of the most notable attributes of the original Pixel Fold was its exceptional app adaptation to its broader aspect ratio. Unlike other foldable devices that frequently display applications in an awkward “wide portrait” orientation, the Pixel Fold’s inner display allowed apps to function as though they were operating on a tablet in landscape mode. This was particularly advantageous for productivity applications like **Gmail**, which opened with a dual-pane layout, displaying folders and tags on the left and emails on the right. This configuration significantly enhanced workflow efficiency, as users didn’t need to switch back and forth between menus constantly.
In contrast, most other foldables, including the **Pixel 9 Pro Fold**, show Gmail and similar apps in a single-pane format, compelling users to pull out side menus and navigate more often. Although some applications have been fine-tuned for foldable displays, many still perform as if they’re on a tall, narrow smartphone, regardless of the unfolding.
### 2. **Enhanced Media Experience**
The Pixel Fold’s aspect ratio also excelled in terms of media consumption. Whether watching videos on **YouTube** or using apps in “flex” mode (with the display bent at an angle), the broader screen guaranteed that videos occupied the entirety of the display’s half without unsightly black bars on the sides. This sharply contrasted with other foldables, which often show videos with black bars due to their suboptimal aspect ratios.
For instance, while using the Pixel Fold in flex mode, YouTube videos would take up the whole upper section of the screen, creating an immersive viewing experience. Conversely, devices like the **Honor Magic V3** or **Samsung Galaxy Z Fold** typically letterbox videos, squandering precious screen space.
### 3. **Improved Multitasking**
The wider aspect ratio of the Pixel Fold also simplified multitasking. Apps like **Discord**, which notoriously perform poorly on foldable phones, functioned better on the Pixel Fold due to the wider display allowing the complete chat, navigation pane, and server list to fit comfortably. On narrower foldables like the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, the chat interface often gets truncated, necessitating users to scroll menus back and forth to access everything.
This wider aspect ratio also made split-screen multitasking more feasible, as both applications could be shown side by side without feeling constrained. Whether browsing the web while watching a video or jotting down notes during a video call, the Pixel Fold’s screen offered ample space for both activities.
## The Pixel 9 Pro Fold: A Regression
With the launch of the **Pixel 9 Pro Fold**, Google opted to forgo the original Pixel Fold’s exceptional aspect ratio in favor of a more traditional foldable design. While the Pixel 9 Pro Fold may have seen improvements in other respects, such as performance and durability, its shift back to a taller, narrower aspect ratio feels like a lost opportunity.
The design of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold now aligns with other foldables available on the market, which means it faces the same challenges: applications that don’t function as anticipated, marginalized screen space during media viewing, and a less effective multitasking experience.
