The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold has arrived, boasting an IP68 rating and Pixelsnap magnets for the first time on a foldable device. If you’re considering an upgrade, now might be the perfect time to explore the world of foldable phones.
However, Google isn’t the only major player in the foldable market. Just a few months ago, Samsung impressed us with the sleek and enhanced Galaxy Z Fold 7. Can this new model stand up to the competition?
Having spent quality time with both devices, I have gathered various insights. Let’s delve into a comparison of these two foldable phones.
Design
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold and Galaxy Z Fold 7 take different design approaches. While Samsung has undergone a complete design overhaul for 2025, the Pixel maintains a similar look to its predecessor. Each device offers unique benefits, and the design plays a significant role in determining your preference.
Luke Baker
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 boasts a slim and lightweight design. When closed, it resembles a regular flagship phone, weighing less than the non-folding Galaxy S25 Ultra and maintaining a similar thickness. It features super slim bezels and a sharp angular design, maximizing screen space on both the interior and exterior displays.
Luke Baker
On the other hand, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold offers a contrasting design. It is thicker and heavier compared to the Galaxy Z Fold 7, with soft, rounded corners on both displays and relatively chunky bezels. Despite this, the Pixel’s design exudes durability and confidence, reinforced by its IP68 rating, making it dust and water-resistant. Additionally, the Pixel is the first foldable device to feature Pixelsnap magnets, akin to Apple’s MagSafe, allowing compatibility with a wide array of MagSafe accessories without the need for additional cases.
Displays
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold sports a 6.4-inch cover display, while the Galaxy Z Fold 7 boasts a slightly larger 6.5-inch screen. Both devices offer 8-inch foldable panels on the inside.
Although the difference in size may seem minimal, the feel and usage of the displays vary significantly. The Pixel’s curved corners and Samsung’s sharper edges impact how content is displayed, with the latter offering a larger visual experience. The Pixel’s cover screen may feel slightly cramped in comparison.
Luke Baker
In terms of brightness, the Pixel screens offer a slightly higher maximum brightness, although both displays appear similar in usage. Samsung reduces display brightness in high sunlight to prevent overheating, while the Pixel’s behavior in such conditions remains untested.
Regarding the crease, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 features a less noticeable crease compared to the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. While users may adapt to the crease over time, those sensitive to such nuances may prefer the Samsung device.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, previously the fastest mobile chip until the introduction of the 8 Elite Gen 5. On the other hand, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold utilizes Google’s Tensor G5 chip.
The Tensor G5 chip represents a significant improvement over its predecessor, showcasing higher benchmark scores and enhanced performance. However, it falls short of the Snapdragon in terms of raw speed.
Luke Baker
The difference in performance becomes noticeable during demanding tasks such as gaming or intensive video editing. While both devices excel in everyday tasks like social media browsing and email management, the Z Fold 7 outperforms the Pixel in resource-intensive activities.
With a base configuration of 256GB storage, both devices offer options to upgrade to 512GB or 1TB. The Pixel sets itself apart with 16GB of RAM across all models, while the Z Fold 7 offers 12GB RAM in the 256GB and 512GB variants, requiring the 1TB model for 16GB RAM.
In practical usage, the RAM difference may not significantly impact performance, as both devices handle multitasking efficiently. However, the Z Fold 7 may offer a slight edge in demanding scenarios.
Cameras
Both phones feature a triple rear camera setup and a selfie camera on each display. The ultrawide, main, and telephoto lenses are standard in both devices, with the Pixel offering a 5x lens and the Samsung a 3x lens.
Luke Baker
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold features a 48MP sensor, while the Galaxy Z Fold 7 boasts a 200MP sensor. The Samsung device excels in image fidelity, especially in low-light conditions, offering superior detail compared to the Pixel.
While the Pixel’s images may appear more pleasing initially, closer inspection reveals the Samsung’s superiority in image quality. The Pixel, however, offers a user-friendly camera app with features like Camera Coach for guidance in capturing stunning shots in various scenarios.
