The debut of the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold marks a significant step in the foldable smartphone arena, featuring an IP68 rating and Pixelsnap magnets—an industry first for foldable devices. If you’re contemplating an upgrade, this might be an opportunity to explore the foldable experience.
However, Google is not alone in the foldable landscape. Just months ago, Samsung impressed us with its revamped Galaxy Z Fold 7. Can this new entry hold its own against the competition?
After spending considerable time with both devices, I have a lot to discuss. Let’s break down the comparisons between these foldable phones.
Design
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold and Galaxy Z Fold 7 adopt distinctly different design philosophies. The Samsung model has undergone a full design transformation for 2025, while the Pixel maintains a style reminiscent of its predecessor. Each device presents unique advantages, influencing your design preference.
Luke Baker
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 focuses on a slim and lightweight form factor. When closed, it resembles a standard flagship phone. It is even lighter than the non-folding Galaxy S25 Ultra, without being significantly thicker.
For those desiring a foldable phone that resembles a conventional smartphone, the Z Fold 7 is arguably the top pick available. It boasts a slender bezel and a sharp, angular design, maximizing display area on both the internal and external screens.
Luke Baker
On the contrary, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is noticeably thicker, measuring 10.8mm when closed in comparison to 8.9mm, and weighs 258g against 215g of the Galaxy. This difference is prominent during handling. The Pixel features rounded corners and a more pronounced bezel.
Nonetheless, the Pixel design carries its own charm. It exudes a robust and reassuring feel, something I rarely associate with foldable devices. Its IP68 rating makes it the first foldable device resistant to dust and water, while the Fold 7 holds a lesser IP48 rating, leaving it vulnerable to dust ingress.
Luke Baker
Furthermore, it is the first foldable to feature the Pixelsnap, which serves as Google’s response to Apple’s MagSafe, functioning similarly; you can also utilize most of Apple’s MagSafe accessories with the Pixel (with a few exceptions).
Samsung offers magnetic cases that deliver similar functionalities, but with the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, cases are conveniently unnecessary.
Displays
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold features a 6.4-inch cover display, while the Galaxy Z Fold 7 has a 6.5-inch exterior screen, both equipped with 8-inch foldable panels on the inside.
While this may not seem like a substantial difference, their usage feels markedly different. The Pixel’s rounded corners contrast with the sharper edges of the Samsung, influencing overall experience.
In my experience, the Samsung’s display feels significantly more extensive due to content reaching the sharper corners. This difference is particularly striking on the outer display, whereas the impact on the foldable screen is less pronounced. Comparatively, the Pixel’s cover screen feels somewhat constrained.
Conversely, the Pixel’s rounded corners enhance comfort, especially when in the unfolded state. Additionally, the thicker bezel on the interior display offers a more ergonomic grip, minimizing the chances of accidental touches.
The Pixel screens deliver slightly greater peak brightness, although both appear quite similar during use. However, it’s important to note that the Samsung display dims to prevent overheating in bright sunlight—whether the Pixel does this remains uncertain, as the recent weather has been gloomy since I received it.
Luke Baker
Regarding the crease, Samsung holds a definitive edge. The crease is less visible on the Z Fold 7 as opposed to the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. Although users may eventually adapt to the crease, those sensitive to such details are likely to opt for the Samsung model.
Performance
Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 was the pinnacle of mobile processors until the unveiling of the 8 Elite Gen 5. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold, by contrast, implements Google’s own Tensor G5 chip.
The Tensor G5 exhibits a significant improvement over its predecessor, achieving higher benchmark results and delivering a swifter performance. Yet, in direct comparisons, it does not match the unrivaled speed of the Snapdragon.
Luke Baker
Your usage habits will dictate how much this performance difference affects you. For typical tasks like social media browsing, email responses, and photo editing, both devices perform exceptionally well and remain responsive with multiple apps open.
Performance disparities become evident when running resource-intensive games like Wuthering Waves or editing multiple 4K video clips in LumaFusion. In those cases, the Z Fold 7 is the superior option.
While the Pixel can handle a variety of tasks, it may struggle under heavy loads, leading to noticeable heating.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Both smartphones start with a base storage option of 256GB and offer upgrades to either 512GB or 1TB. Notably, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold models all come with 16GB of RAM, while the Z Fold 7 only provides 12GB on its 256GB and 512GB models—only the pricier 1TB variant offers the extra RAM.
Will this difference in RAM significantly impact performance? From my perspective, it doesn’t make much of a difference. Both devices excel at multitasking, and I found the 12GB available on the Z Fold 7 sufficient.
Cameras
Each device features a triple camera setup on the rear, complemented by selfie cameras on both displays. They include an ultrawide, a primary, and a telephoto lens, with the Pixel equipped with a 5x lens compared to Samsung’s 3x lens.
Luke Baker
An important distinction lies in the main sensors: the Pixel 10 Pro Fold’s 48Mp 1/2-inch sensor versus the Z Fold 7’s more substantial 200Mp 1/1.3-inch sensor. Not only does the higher resolution give Samsung an edge, but it also excels under low-light conditions.
Having extensively tested both camera systems, I find the Samsung tends to outshine in terms of image quality. While the Pixel sometimes produces more visually appealing images straight out of the camera, a closer inspection reveals it falls short on intricate details.
The Pixel’s biggest advantage lies in its user-friendliness. The camera app is streamlined and intuitive, offering features that are particularly attractive to newcomers. For example, the Camera Coach mode assists users in capturing the most Instagram-worthy shots.
Luke Baker
Conversely, Samsung’s app caters to more experienced photographers, packed with elaborate features and manual control options, including the ability to record Log video.
Your choice ultimately depends on your individual needs: as a long-time photography enthusiast, I favor Samsung’s extensive capabilities, but I can see the appeal of Google’s more straightforward camera app for many users.
Other Differences
A significant disparity lies in the software experiences; both devices operate on Android 16 with a promise of 7 years of updates, yet Samsung’s One UI presents a distinct look and feel compared to the Pixel 10 Pro Fold’s stock Android.
Luke Baker
Determining which software is superior boils down to personal preference since both platforms bring their unique advantages. Personally, I appreciate Google’s streamlined UI, as it is one of the most straightforward to navigate, along with features like Now Playing, which serves as a Shazam alternative for tracks encountered in public. Additionally, Pixel Drop updates provide quicker access to new features and OS versions.
Conversely, I prefer Samsung’s aesthetic appeal, especially with its more advanced multitasking features.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Both systems are rich with AI features, offering capabilities such as translation, summarization, and even image/video creation. While most features are available on both devices, I occasionally find Samsung’s integration a bit convoluted, as many functionalities are embedded within Samsung’s proprietary apps, whereas Google’s AI offerings tend to be incorporated into user-friendly applications such as Google Photos.
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold has a notably larger battery capacity, boasting a 5015mAh battery compared to the Z Fold 7’s 4400mAh. Nevertheless, my tests indicated that the Pixel still required charging slightly more frequently.
Both phones can last through a day of heavy usage, albeit on the edge. Users engaging in gaming on the expansive internal display and frequently filming videos can expect to require a charger before the day concludes.
Concerning charging speed, while neither phone is particularly fast, the Pixel edges slightly ahead with a 30W wired charging capability, compared to the Samsung’s 25W. For wireless charging, both support up to 15W; however, the Pixel’s built-in magnets allow for more effortless alignment with compatible chargers without needing a case.
Pricing
The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold begins at £1,749/$1799 for its 256GB version, slightly under the Galaxy Z Fold 7’s 256GB entry price of £1,799/$1,999 (the price difference is more significant for US customers).
Considering that the Samsung has been available longer, you might benefit from potential discounts or second-hand options. Our widgets below offer the latest prices.
If additional storage is required, the 512GB Pixel will cost £1,869/$1,919, while the 1TB version is priced at £2,099/$2,149. In comparison, the 512GB Z Fold 7 is priced at £1,899/$2,119, and the 1TB version is tagged at £2,149/$2,419.
No matter which model you select, the Samsung will generally come at a slightly higher cost, though the difference is minimal—typically around £50 more, especially for US buyers. Both models are widely available globally, and numerous contract deals are on offer for readers in the UK.
Verdict
Ultimately, the ideal phone for you hinges on your specific priorities. If a thinner, lighter device is your primary concern, Samsung’s offering is undoubtedly superior. I also found its camera capabilities to be more impressive, with a less intrusive crease in the folding screen, making it a better fit for gaming enthusiasts.
However, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold showcases its own strengths. Its durable feel coupled with an IP68 rating provides reassurance for outdoor use, alongside its unique integration of magnets that allow for Pixelsnap/MagSafe accessories without needing a case. Additionally, it is slightly more affordable based on the recommended pricing and will receive software updates quicker.
As a power user who enjoys graphically demanding games, utilizes pro camera features, and requires heavy multitasking capabilities, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the clear choice for me. However, this does not imply it is the best option for everyone. The 10 Pro Fold shines when it comes to user-friendliness and convenient photography options, which may significantly influence some users’ experiences.
