My Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold hands-on video on YouTube has sparked quite a debate. There’s over 160 comments and counting, and many of them are in favor of the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold — but there’s also a lot of people who prefer Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7.
So how are these foldable phones different and which one would I buy with my own money? To be fair, I’ve only done a Pixel 10 Pro Fold hands-on so far, and it’s not going on sale until October. But I have formed some opinions after a couple hours. And for me, there’s a clear winner so far.
Where the Pixel 10 Pro Fold wins
The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold does have some key advantages over the Galaxy Z Fold 7. Here’s where Google’s foldable stands out.
IP68 rating
Thanks in part to the Pixel 10 Pro Fold’s gearless hinge, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is the first foldable in the U.S. to earn an IP68 rating. That means it’s both dust- and water resistant. In other words, you could take the Pixel 10 Pro Fold to the beach and not freak out.
Meanwhile, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is only IP54 rated, so it can shrug off some water but is absolutely not dust resistant. So if you want the more durable foldable, Google is likely it.
Longer zoom
While the camera hardware hasn’t really changed from the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold has the edge over the Z Fold 7 in zooming power.
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold has a 10.8MP 5x telephoto lens, compared to a 10MP 3x for the Samsung. So you should get better results when zooming in. Technically, the Z Fold 7 has the longer digital zoom at 30x vs 20x for Google, but we’ll see how the cameras compare when we face them off.
Better AI features
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is no slouch in the AI department. The Gemini Live integration is great, and I like that you can see the before and after for AI generated images side by side with the original photo on the left and right side of the screen. The Audio Eraser function for videos is very powerful, too.
But the Pixel 10 Pro Fold takes things to the next level.
The new Magic Cue feature is fantastic, as it surfaces information when you need it without having to jump between multiple apps. And I love Ask Photos. You can simply speak to your phone or type in the changes you want to see and the AI will kick in to make your photo edits.
The Camera Coach feature is pretty nifty, too, in that it can analyze the frame in real time and give you shooting tips. Even the Live Translate feature is next-level; it can spit out translations in your own voice. Creepy but cool.
Bigger battery and Qi 2 charging
Now, a larger battery doesn’t always equate to superior endurance, but it certainly helps. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold has a 5,015 mAh battery, which is significantly more capacity than the Galaxy Z Fold 7’s 4,400 mAh battery.
Also, unlike the Z Fold 7, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold supports magnetic Qi2 charging out of the box with Pixelsnap. For the Z Fold 7 you need to get a case to unlock this capability.
It’s $200 cheaper
To be fair, both the Pixel 10 Pro Fold and Z Fold 7 are super expensive. But Google’s foldable is more affordable with a starting price $1,799 / £1,749 / $2,699. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 starts at $1,999 / £1,799 / AU$2,899 Galaxy Z Fold 7, so you’re saving $200 if you go with the Pixel.
Where the Galaxy Z Fold 7 wins
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 doesn’t have as many “wins” over the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, but the design alone will cause many to opt for Samsung.
Much thinner and lighter design
Now that I’ve held both the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Pixel 10 Pro Fold, I can say with confidence that Samsung’s foldable feels like it’s from the future and the Pixel is stuck in the past.
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold measures 10.8mm thick when folded and 5.2mm when unfolded, and it weighs in at 9.1 ounces. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 measures 8.9mm thick when folded, 4.2mm unfolded and it’s just 7.5 ounces. For those scoring at home, that’s lighter than the iPhone 16 Pro Max (7.99 ounces).
I can’t emphasize this enough. Using the Galaxy Z Fold 7 feels like using a regular phone with its 6.5-inch external display. And then you can unfurl it to enjoy an 8-inch panel. There’s no penalty for carrying around a foldable and I could easily see myself slipping one in my front pocket. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold is just as heavy as the previous model.
Some are complaining that the Z Fold 7 wobbles on a table due to its camera design, and it is annoying, but it’s hardly a dealbreaker for me.
More powerful main camera
Samsung stepped up its camera game by giving the main wide camera a boost to 200MP on the Galaxy Z Fold 7. And it took gorgeous looking pictures in my full Galaxy Z Fold 7 review. Having that sort of resolution also gives you a lot more freedom to crop in after the fact. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold has a 48MP main shooter.
Less visible crease
Based on my hands-on time with the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, its crease is more noticeable than the Galaxy Z Fold 7, which Samsung worked hard to minimize on its new foldable. Whether you’re watching a movie or just trying to digest a large spreadsheet, it’s nice to have less of a distraction on the main panel.
Better multitasking
There’s nothing wrong with the Split View functionality on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. It’s easy to run two apps side by side and drag and drop content between windows. But the Galaxy Z Fold 7 ups that to three apps at once, giving you even more versatility.
If you’re going to potentially leave your tablet or even laptop behind, it’s nice to be able to do more on the go. Plus, there’s also Samsung DeX that takes productivity to an even higher level that makes it a lot like a Windows 11 computer.
Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold vs Galaxy Z Fold 7: Outlook
Like I said, I’m going to reserve final judgement for the Pixel 10 Pro Fold until we get our hands on a review unit, which I presume will happen closer to the October 9th release date. But if I were making a call right now, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 would get my vote.
Samsung’s foldable is so thin and light it makes you feel like you’re cheating the system. After several generations, Samsung has nailed the foldable design. You really need to hold it. I also like the fact that the crease is less visible.
On the other hand, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is $200 cheaper and yet gives you a bigger battery, better AI features and IP68 durability. So your choice will come down to personal preference. But I know which way I’m leaning.
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