Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7: Which to buy?

The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold has landed, bringing with it an IP68 rating and Pixelsnap magnets for the first time on a foldable device. If you’re hunting for an upgrade, maybe it’s finally time to see what the foldable life is like.

But Google isn’t the only major player in the foldable game. Just a few short months ago, Samsung wowed us with its slimmed-down and souped-up Galaxy Z Fold 7. Can this new model possibly compete?

I’ve spent some quality time with both handsets, and I’ve got plenty of thoughts. So, let’s dive in and see exactly how these foldable phones compare.

Design

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold and Galaxy Z Fold 7 take quite different approaches to design. The Samsung has received a complete design overhaul for 2025, whereas the Pixel looks a lot like its predecessor. That said, both have their own unique benefits, and the design will play a large role in deciding which phone you prefer.

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is all about the slim and lightweight design. When folded shut, you could easily mistake this for a regular flagship phone. It’s actually lighter than the non-folding Galaxy S25 Ultra, and not much thicker, either.

If you want a folding phone that feels like a regular phone, the Z Fold 7 is arguably the best on the market. It also has a super-slim bezel, and a sharp angular design, which maximises screen space on both the interior and exterior display.

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold is almost the polar opposite. It measures 10.8mm thick when folded down, compared to just 8.9mm, and it weighs 258g, compared to just 215g. That’s all very noticeable when you handle it in comparison. It also has soft, rounded corners on both displays, as well as a relatively chunky bezel.

However, that’s not to say the design of the Pixel has no appeal. For starters, it feels incredibly durable and confidence-inspiring, which isn’t something I often say about a foldable. That’s backed up by its IP rating – it’s the first foldable to be rated IP68, which means it’s effectively immune to dust and water, whereas the Fold 7 is only IP48 rated, which means dust could cause problems.

It’s also the first foldable to get the Pixelsnap treatment. This is basically Google’s answer to Apple MagSafe, and it works identically; you can even use the vast majority of Apple’s MagSafe accessories with this phone (with some caveats).

Samsung has magnetic cases available, which offer the same functionality, but with the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, cases are optional.

Displays

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold has a 6.4-inch cover display, while the Galaxy Z Fold 7 has a 6.5-inch screen, and both offer 8-inch foldable panels on the inside.

It might not sound like much of a difference, but they feel quite different in use. As mentioned in the previous section, this is because the Pixel has curved corners, and the Samsung is sharper at the edges.

In my experience, this makes the Samsung screens feel much larger in use, as content will extend into those sharper corners. I found it particularly noticeable on the outer screen, but less impactful on the folding display. The Pixel cover screen feels a little cramped, comparatively.

On the flip side, the soft radius of the Pixel corners makes it more comfortable to hold, especially unfolded. I also appreciate the thicker bezel of the folding display, as it gives you somewhere to grip without accidentally tapping things on the screen.

The Pixel screens both have a slightly higher maximum brightness, but in use, they look quite similar. It’s worth noting, though, that the Samsung dims its display to avoid overheating in the sun. The Pixel might do this too, but the weather has been very dreary since I received it, so it’s hard to judge.

When it comes to the crease, Samsung is clearly a step ahead. It’s much less noticeable on the Z Fold 7 than the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. Of course, you’ll get used to the crease over time, but if you’re sensitive to such things, you’ll prefer the Samsung.

Performance

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite, which was the fastest mobile chip around until the 8 Elite Gen 5 was announced a few weeks back. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold, meanwhile, uses Google’s own Tensor G5 chip.

The Tensor G5 is a significant upgrade over the previous generation, posting much higher benchmark scores across the board, and feeling quicker in use, too. Unfortunately, though, it’s nowhere near as quick as the Snapdragon.

How much this matters will all depend on what you like to do with your phone. For browsing social media, answering emails and editing photos, you’re not likely to notice a difference at all. They’re both incredibly quick, and they feel snappy no matter how many apps you have open.

The difference will only be apparent if you’re running a demanding game like Wuthering Waves, or if you’re doing some intensive video editing, like combining multiple 4K clips in LumaFusion. In those situations, the Z Fold 7 is the better option.

The Pixel can still do just about anything, but you’ll notice the phone struggling, and it’ll heat up pretty significantly when you’re pushing it.

Both phones come with 256GB of storage in their base configuration, and you can choose to upgrade to either 512GB or 1TB. When it comes to RAM, though, the Pixel has an advantage: All Pixel 10 Pro Fold models come with 16GB of RAM.

The 256GB and 512GB versions of the Z Fold 7 only come with 12GB, and you’ll need to pick the pricey 1TB model to get 16GB.

Will that make much of a difference in practice? In my experience, not really. Both phones are excellent at multitasking, and I never felt the 12GB RAM of the Fold 7 was holding me back.

Cameras

Both phones have a triple camera setup on their rear, along with a selfie camera on each screen. In either case, you get an ultrawide camera, a main and a telephoto, but the Pixel has a 5x lens and the Samsung has a 3x lens.

The biggest gap in the specifications is with the main sensors. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold has a 48Mp 1/2-inch sensor, and the Z Fold 7 has a 200Mp 1/1.3-inch unit. So not only is it much higher resolution, but it also performs better in low-light conditions.

I’ve tested both camera systems extensively, and in most scenarios the Samsung has superior image fidelity. That’s not to say the Pixel is bad; in fact, sometimes images look more pleasing straight out of the camera, but if you zoom in and observe the details, the Pixel photos don’t hold up to as much scrutiny.

The advantage of the Pixel is the ease of use. The camera app is extremely easy to navigate and understand, and it’s also packed with features that will appeal to beginners. For instance, there’s a Camera Coach mode that can guide you into taking the most Instagrammable shots in any situation.

Samsung takes the opposite approach. The camera app is packed with features that will appeal to professional photographers. There are very in-depth manual controls, and you can even record Log video.

Which one is right for you all depends on your personal needs. As a lifelong photographer, the Samsung approach was right up my street, but I can equally see the appeal of Google’s simplified app. 

Other differences

Another big difference between these two phones is the software. Sure, they’re both Android 16, and they both offer 7 years of updates, but Samsung’s One UI skin makes things look and feel a lot different to the vanilla Android stylings of the Pixel 10 Pro Fold.

As for which one’s best, that’s all a matter of preference; each OS has its benefits. For instance, I love the simplicity of Google’s system, it’s one of the easiest to navigate, and Google’s Now Playing feature, which essentially Shazams every song you encounter when out and about. You’ll also get Pixel Drop updates with new features and new OS versions much quicker.

On the other hand, I prefer Samsung’s aesthetics, and its multitasking capabilities are a little more advanced than Google’s.

In terms of functionality, both systems are absolutely loaded with AI features, and you’ll find everything from translation and summarisation to image and video generation. The majority of features can be found on both devices, but I sometimes struggle to find them on Samsung, as they’re often incorporated into Samsung’s first-party apps, whereas Google’s AI features are built into things like Google Photos – which you’re likely already using.

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold has a significantly larger battery than the Z Fold 7. It’s a 5015mAh cell, compared to just 4400mAh. In my testing, though, this larger battery didn’t seem to make that much of a difference. In fact, I found myself needing to top up the Pixel slightly more frequently.

In either case, these phones could see me through a day of heavy usage, but they cut it fine. If you’re playing games on the large internal display and filming lots of videos, then you should expect to reach for the charger before bedtime.

On the topic of charging, neither of these phones is a rocket, but the Pixel has a slight edge. It charges at 30W with a wire, while the Samsung charges at 25W. When it comes to wireless charging, both charge at 15W, but the Pixel has the advantage of built-in magnets, so compatible chargers will snap on without the need for a case.

Pricing

The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold starts at £1,749/$1799 for the 256GB model, which is slightly less than the 256GB Z Fold 7’s £1,799/$1,999 MSRP (a bigger gap in the US).

That said, as the Samsung has been on the market for longer, you might have a better chance of finding deals, or even pre-owned models. Our widgets below show the best current prices.

If you need more storage, the 512GB Pixel will set you back £1,869/$1,919 and the 1TB version costs £2,099/$2,149. Meanwhile, the 512GB Fold 7 is £1,899/$2,119 and the 1TB model is £2,149/$2,419.

So, no matter which version you opt for, the Samsung is going to cost slightly more, but we’re talking £50 or less but more for US customers. Both models are available in most regions globally, and there are plenty of contract deals available to UK readers.

Verdict

As always, the right phone for you is going to depend on your priorities. If you want something slim and lightweight, there’s no contest; Samsung is leagues ahead. I also found its cameras to be more impressive. There’s less of a crease on the folding sreen and it’s much better for gaming, too.

However, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold has plenty of advantages, too. It feels incredibly durable, and it’s IP68 rated, so you can feel more confident using it in the great outdoors. It’s also the only foldable with magnets built in, so you can enjoy Pixelsnap/MagSafe accessories without needing a case attached. It’s also a little cheaper going by the recommended prices and will get software updates sooner.

As a bit of a power user, who enjoys playing graphically intensive games, using pro camera features and heavy multitasking. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the obvious choice for me, but that doesn’t mean it’s right for everyone. The 10 Pro Fold excels in its ease of use and convenient features, especially when it comes to photography and image editing. For some users, these features will make a big difference.