Foldable phones are becoming more popular, especially with early adopters who appreciate the latest and greatest technology. Yes, they’re more expensive than traditional bar-style phones. But you essentially get a compact phone and a small tablet in one. The form factor is useful for watching videos, glancing at notifications, shooting photos and videos, live translations, and more. Many offer useful dual-screen features.
Two of the biggest brands in the business are Google and Samsung with the Google Pixel Fold series and Samsung Galaxy Z series. Their latest respective devices are the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7. I got my hands on both to compare and help you decide.
Design and durability
The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold has a 6.4-inch Actua OLED outer display made from Gorilla Glass Victus 2 with 120Hz refresh rate. The inner display is an 8-inch Super Actua Flex LTPO AMOLED screen with 1-120Hz refresh rate, the largest inner screen yet for a Google Pixel foldable phone. The screens can reach peak brightness of up to 3,000 nits. As the first foldable phone to meet an IP68 rating, there’s a gearless, high-strength hinge that can handle 10+ years of constant folding and unfolding, making it even more durable.
The inner screen isn’t as seamless looking as with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7. The crease of the hinge is slightly more noticeable while notches at the top corners make it looks like two phones melded together versus a big tablet-like device. But it’s still an attractive phone.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is incredibly thin and light at just 9mm thin, 4.2mm thin unfolded, which is much thinner than the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. The design is impressive, a marvel to hold and use. It has a slightly larger 6.5-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x LTPO cover display and 8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x LTPO main inner display, both with 120Hz refresh rate. Vision Booster increases brightness to 2,600 nits so the phone is viewable in direct sunlight.
Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 protects the cover display so it’s ultra-durable while the advanced Armor Aluminum frame and hinge ensure durability. The Armor FlexHinge employs a multi-rail structure that disperses stress and reduces visible creasing. If you’re watching movies or surfing the web, you can barely see the crease, if at all. With an IP48 rating, this phone isn’t as durable when it comes to protection against dust. That’s something to consider if you’re a power user. There’s no S Pen support as there was with the previous generation model, a concession made so the phone can be even thinner.
Spec comparison table
Let’s see how these two phones break down based on the key specifications.
| Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 | |
| OS | Android 16 | Android 16 |
| Colours | Moonstone, Jade | Blue Shadow, Silver Shadow, Jetblack, Mint |
| Screen Sizes | 6.4-inch outer, 8-inch inner | 6.5-inch outer, 8-inch inner |
| Screen Resolution | 2,364 x 1,080, 2,152 x 2,076 | 2,520 x 1,080, 2,184 x 1,968 |
| Refresh Rate | 60-120Hz, 1-120Hz | 120Hz |
| Processor | Google Tensor G5 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 9 Elite for Galaxy |
| RAM | 16GB | 12GB, 16GB |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| Cameras | 48MP main, 10.5MP ultrawide, 10.8MP telephoto, 10MP front | 200MP wide-angle, 10MP telephoto, 12MP ultra-wide, 10MP front, 10MP cover |
| Battery | 5,015 mAh | 4,400 mAh |
| Dimensions | 155.2 x 76.3 x 10.8mm (folded), 155.2 x 150.4 x 5.2mm (unfolded) | 158.4 x 143.2 x 4.2mm (folded), 158.4 x 72.8 x 8.9mm (unfolded) |
| Weight | 258 grams | 215 grams |
Power and performance
The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold has the new Google Tensor G5 processor and boasts 16GB RAM. It comes with three storage options. With a Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor, you get 12GB or 16GB RAM with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, the latter of which comes with the 1TB version. Despite only getting 12GB RAM with the smaller storage versions, the phone can still handle multitasking and bandwidth-intensive tasks. My 13-year-old loves the size, smaller than his tablet yet bigger than a phone. It’s perfect for casual gaming on the couch or while traveling.
Cameras
The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold’s cameras are decent with an upgraded 48MP main lens and support for 100x Pro Level Zoom so you can get up close to subjects. It has the same camera sensors as the previous Google Pixel foldable, including a 10.5MP ultra-wide, 10.8MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom, and 10MP Dual PD camera.
It has unique features like Instant View, which provides a quick preview so you can retake an image if needed. Made You Look is a super fun and handy feature for parents that displays an animated image on the front screen to capture kids’ attention and get them smiling for a group photo. There’s also Camera Coach that walks you through the process of framing the perfect photo. It works wonderfully, a great way to help novices improve their photos.
The Best Take feature is a fan favourite in the Google Pixel series, allowing you to adjust individual expressions in a group photo to get the best possible result. Auto Best Take intelligently does the processing for you. Another fan favourite is Add Me, which allows the photographer to swap with someone else and jump into a group picture, so no one is missing from the photo.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 has a 200MP wide-angle camera, 10MP telephoto camera, 12MP ultra-wide camera, and 10MP front cover and main cameras. The ProVisual Engine ensures fast image processing. You get advanced features like Night Video and 10-bit HDR.
Leverage all the cool AI photo editing and capture tools, also available in the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold, like cleaning up photos to remove distracting items, adjust angles, and enhance images with generative edit. There’s even an Audio Eraser feature for improving captured videos.
Battery life and charging
The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold has a 5,015mAh battery and it’s rated to last up to 30 hours per charge, up to 84 hours when using Extreme Battery Saver mode. Charge up to 50 percent in just 30 minutes if you use a 30W or higher charger. It’s Qi2-certified for 15W wireless charging speeds, working with Google’s own Pixelsnap accessories as well as other compatible ones. I’ve tried it with a few portable magnetic chargers, and it works well.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 has a smaller 4,400mAh battery and supports 25W wired charging, 15W wireless charging, 4.5W reverse wireless charging via Wireless PowerShare. It’s Qi2 charging ready, but you need a compatible case. The battery is smaller and charging speed slower at just 25W.
AI and intelligence
Beyond AI in photos, both phones also integrate Gemini and Gemini Live. Use natural voice commands, even have conversations about things like a landmark in front of you or a plant you want to know more about. With both phones, tap and hold a side button to access the intelligent assistant.
With both, share your screen with Gemini Live, drag and drop content from one window to another, enjoy a split screen view, use features like Circle to Search, and more. You can view a photo on both sides of the screen while you edit in real time, and leverage Voice Translate.
The Google Pixel 10 Fold Pro is loaded with the same Gemini AI goodies in other phones in the series, like the Pixel 10 Pro XL. Magic Cue, for example, connects information from different apps to intelligently suggest actions. For example, if a friend messages and asks you what the address is for dinner tonight, or what time your flight to Vegas leaves, Magic Cue will intelligently find the answer from your e-mail, previous messages, or calendar so you can send it instantly without having to search yourself. The feature has limitations, though, since it only works across Google apps like Gmail and Google Messages, at least for now.
Google’s deep integration with Gemini Live is tough to match, whether you’re capturing or editing photos or looking for helpful assistance across apps. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 adds its own spin with Galaxy AI and additional ways to interact with the phone using context-aware cues across apps and screens. Kritsonis notes in his review of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 that features like Interpreter and Call Assist are standouts.
Pricing and value
Foldables are more expensive than traditional bar phones and these two are no exception. They come in at similar price points, but both offer great value. You get seven years of OS and security support with both. The choice comes down to brand preference and slight spec differences. When it comes to features, they go toe-to-toe.
Which foldable phone should you buy?
Both the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 are solid foldable phones that are a step-up from their respective previous generation models. If you are familiar with Samsung Galaxy devices, you might be most comfortable with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7. If you plan to use other items like Galaxy Buds and the Galaxy Watch, it makes sense to stick with the same brand and Samsung account throughout. Make use of features like Quick Share to auto-switch audio from, say, a Samsung Galaxy phone to a tablet, and manage SmartThings smart home devices.
The same goes for the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold. If you love the intuitive interface and Google-specific features of Pixel phones, upgrade to the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. There are advantages when using it with other products like the Pixel Buds and Pixel Watch. Along with quick settings, use a Pixel Watch for remote camera control and control Google Home devices.
If you’re willing to go either way, consider the differences in design and specs. You get great cameras with both. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold has a larger, longer-lasting, faster-charging battery with the built-in magnetic surface for wireless charging on the go. When folded, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is much slimmer and it’s more lightweight overall, making it a sleeker looking, more pocketable phone. Both offer great AI integration, but Google has exclusive features you won’t find with the Samsung phone. That’s worth considering if you think you’ll use them.
The best way to decide is to head out to a Best Buy or Best Buy Mobile store near you to get your hands on them for a few minutes and see how they feel. I’d choose the Galaxy Z Fold 7 for elegant look and overall snappier performance and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold for intuitive operation, AI integration, and value.
Find both the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 at Best Buy Canada.
