Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 vs. Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Which will be the better foldable?

A split image of an alleged render of the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold and a photo of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7
(Image credit: OnLeaks and Android Headlines / Tom's Guide)

We could have told you right at the start of the year that it would come down to the Galaxy Z Fold 7 against the Pixel 10 Pro for the best foldable phone of 2025. And while we’ve yet to see the Pixel in the proverbial flesh, the new folding Samsung has shown it has a high bar to clear.

Since it arrived a few weeks ago, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 has dazzled the tech world by showing Samsung is capable of making a foldable phone on a par with the exciting models made by Chinese companies who don't sell in the U.S. directly. The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold is still not fully confirmed, but from what Google has shown us, and from what leakers from around the internet have said, it appears it could stand a chance even against the mighty Z Fold 7.

Things will of course get shaken up by the time the Pixel 10 Pro Fold launches, and we will update this face-off once things are confirmed. But for now, here's what we know about the Pixel 10 Pro Fold compared to the official specs for the Galaxy Z Fold 7.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 vs. Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Price and availability

We know that Pixel 10 series, including the Pro Fold, will be arriving as part of August 20th's Made by Google event. While the price was not confirmed by Google as part of its pre-announcement, there are rumors suggesting that the Pixel 10 Pro Fold could be cheaper than the Pixel 9 Pro Fold it will replace, dropping to $1,600 rather maintaining the current $1,800 pricing.

Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7 made its debut in July, and is the company's most expensive foldable ever, starting at $1,999 / £1,799 / AU$2,899. If Google does drop the price of its foldable, any performance difference between it and the Z Fold could be easily forgiven by users wanting a good deal.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 vs. Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Design and displays

Samsung astonished the tech world with just how big a leap it made over the Galaxy Z Fold 6 with the Galaxy Z Fold 7. The displays are larger (8 inches within, and 6.5 inches on the outside), while the device as a whole is thinner and lighter. It's likely that it'll be lighter than the new Google foldable too, already weighing over 15% lighter than the current Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

Galaxy Z Fold 7 shown during Samsung hands on event

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

To counter the Z Fold 7's giant leap, Google could improve the size of the new Pixel foldable's outer display from 6.3 inches to 6.4 inches by decreasing the borders around it rather than up-sizing the whole phone, meaning more screen space without enlarging the phone's body. The inner (8-inch) and outer screens could be even brighter too thanks to an upgrade to Google's already super-bright Super Actua display technology, taking the phone to 3,000 nits at peak brightness.

google pixel 10 pro fold renders

(Image credit: Android Headlines / Onleaks)

Perhaps more notably, Google could manage to give the Pixel 10 Pro Fold an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, something we've not yet seen a foldable phone manage. The Galaxy Z Fold 7's IP48 rating is pretty good, but provides less protection against dust intrusion than an IP68 rating, achieved by the vast majority of regular premium smartphones, signifies.

Google may only sell the Pixel 10 Pro in two color options once again, this year going for Moonstone blue/grey and Jade green according to the rumors. Samsung offers double that number of colors, with a base selection of Blue Shadow, Silver Shadow and Jet Black, plus a Samsung Store-exclusive Mint color.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 vs. Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Cameras

Samsung made two major upgrades to the Galaxy Z Fold 7's photography abilities: a new 200MP main camera, and a new punch-hole 10MP camera in the main display, replacing the old under-display sensor of previous Z Folds. This has resulted in the most capable camera array on any Samsung foldable so far.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold held in the hand.

The Google Pixel 9 Pro's cameras (Image credit: Future)

That's bad news for Google, as there are no camera changes predicted for the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. This would land users with 48MP main camera, 10.8MP ultrawide, and 10.5MP 5x telephoto cameras on the back, and 10MP front-facing cameras inside and out, which is still a strong collection of sensor options. This makes the chance of the Z Fold 7 outperforming the new Pixel Fold with its camera a more likely possibility.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 vs. Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Performance

Google's rumored Tensor G5 chips will power all its Pixel 10 devices, including the Pro Fold. We're hoping this chip has noticeably improved performance over the Tensor G4 in the current Pixels, thanks to it adopting the same 3-nanometer manufacturing process as the latest Qualcomm and Apple-designed chips.

Joining the Tensor G5 will be 16GB RAM according to the rumors, which also allege that the Pixel 10 Pro Fold will be the first Google foldable to offer 1TB of storage alongside the default 256GB and 512GB options, matching the three available storage capacities of the Galaxy Z Fold 7.

Galaxy Z Fold 7 shown during Samsung hands on event

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Samsung used a custom edition of the latest Snapdragon flagship chip, the 8 Elite For Galaxy, in the Galaxy Z Fold 7. It's a mighty chip that the Tensor G5 could struggle to beat on raw power. Samsung is a little stingier with RAM than Google is thought to be though, with the Z Fold 7 coming with 12GB RAM in the 256GB and 512GB versions, only offering 16GB with the range-topping 1TB edition.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 vs. Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Battery and charging

Frustratingly, for all the upgrades that Samsung made to the Galaxy Z Fold 7, no changes were made to the battery or charging specs. It still has 4,400 mAh of capacity, a maximum of 25W wired charging or 15W wireless charging, and a battery life of under 11 hours on the TG custom battery test.

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold is tipped to get a battery size increase from 4,650 mAh to 5,015 mAh, and could receive Qi2 wireless charging and related accessories. Both of these are welcome changes that could help Google make up ground against Samsung.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 vs. Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Software and AI features

Samsung introduced One UI 8 with the Galaxy Z Fold 7, enabling features like a side-by-side view for features like AI editing, and improved AI capabilities for Bixby and Gemini. Sadly, at the same time, Samsung pulled stylus support for the Z Fold 7's inner display, taking away one of the most unique abilities of Samsung foldables.

Galaxy Z Fold 7 shown during Samsung hands on event

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Google won our recent AI phone face-off, but from what we've heard, it won't be standing still with features for the Pixel 10 series. This will include a rumored camera assistant to help you line up better shots, but likely much more besides.

Samsung still offers seven years of full updates for the Galaxy Z Fold 7, as it has for flagship devices for the past few years. We'd expect Google to do the same, since all Pixels launched since the Pixel 8 series have offered seven years of Android and security updates.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 vs. Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Outlook

We already know that the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is excellent, so it's going to be hard for Google to take the spotlight with the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. But there are a few openings that Google might be able to exploit, going by the leaks we've seen to date.

While the Galaxy Z Fold 7 may have superior cameras, displays and a slicker overall design, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold could undercut Samsung on price, while also beating it on battery capacity and AI capabilities. It's going to be a great fight, whichever phone ends up winning, and we can't wait to put these two phones against each other for real once the Pixel 10 Pro Fold launches.

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Richard Priday
Assistant Phones Editor

Richard is based in London, covering news, reviews and how-tos for phones, tablets, gaming, and whatever else people need advice on. Following on from his MA in Magazine Journalism at the University of Sheffield, he's also written for WIRED U.K., The Register and Creative Bloq. When not at work, he's likely thinking about how to brew the perfect cup of specialty coffee.

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