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google pixel 10 pro fold It officially went on sale this week, and it’s already facing stiff competition from the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7. While Google isn’t bringing out a flashy redesign this year like Samsung, it hits the Galaxy with quality features – some of which are subtle but are industry firsts for the foldable market.
If you’re ready to upgrade from a slab phone to a foldable phone, now is the best time to do so. However, when both Google and Samsung’s book-style foldables are so good this year, it can be confusing to decide.
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Now having thoroughly tested both devices, here’s how the new Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold compares to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, and which one is best for you.
You should buy the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold if…
1. You work in a dust-prone environment
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold is the first book-style foldable with an IP68 rating, meaning it’s actually resistant against tiny dust particles. In comparison, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is rated IP48 for dust and water resistance, so it’s protected from solid particles larger than 1 millimeter. Since dust particles are smaller than 1 mm, there is no guarantee that the Z Fold 7 will perform well against dust.
If you live in a dust-sensitive place or work in a dusty environment, the Google foldable will serve you better. It’s not completely dustproof in itself, but you can have peace of mind when using it in those environments.
2. You’re switching from iPhone
If you can’t wait for a foldable iPhone and want to switch to a book-style foldable this year, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is the phone we recommend buying. While it’s just as easy or difficult to switch to a Samsung foldable, you’ll be able to keep your iPhone’s MagSafe-compatible accessories if you buy a Google foldable.
Also: Google settles the foldable phone debate with just a number — and I hope Samsung is watching
The Pixel 10 series comes with a new feature called PixelSnap. Think of it as MagSafe for Android, where you get magnets to attach multiple accessories. The new technology is based on Qi2 standards and offers 15W wireless charging on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. So, if you have a MagSafe-compatible charging pad, power bank, or even tripod, they should theoretically be compatible with the new Google phones. This makes it easier for iPhone users to shift to Android foldables.
While the Pixel 10 Pro Fold has an inferior camera system on paper, its 48MP main sensor competes against Samsung’s 200MP, with the ability to shoot at 5x optical (compared to Samsung’s 3x), letting you capture more detail at a distance. The 5x telephoto zoom is also close to that of an iPhone Pro phone, if that’s a camera tool you use often.
3. You want to use all the Pixel-exclusive Gemini features
If you’re new to the world of AI and want to try out the best features of Google AI for free, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is the perfect choice for you. The company is offering one year of Gemini AI Pro subscription for free with its Pixel 10 Pro series. This means you can get advanced features like Gemini 2.5 Pro, VO3 for AI-generated videos, 2TB cloud storage, and previews of upcoming AI tools. In contrast, Samsung is offering six months of free access to the same service with its Galaxy Z Fold 7.
The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold also includes the company’s latest on-device and hybrid AI tools like Magic Cue, which automatically populates responses, Assistant context, and more, whether you’re in the Messages app or on a phone call. The Pixel also supports Auto Best Take, which combines the best shots of people in your photos to create a perfect photo without any discrepancies.
You should buy the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 if…
1. You want the thinnest and lightest foldable phone
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is unquestionably the best-looking foldable in the US right now, as it features a new thin and light design. In fact, we found it to be more comfortable to hold and use than larger flagship phones like the iPhone 17 Pro Max and Samsung’s own Galaxy S25 Ultra. Weighing in at 215 grams, it is one of the most comfortable phones to use in the market right now. Also, it measures only 8.9 mm when folded and 4.2 mm when unfolded, which seems unrealistic at times.
Too: I spent a week in New York City with the Samsung Z Fold 7 – and it sucked up all my time
Samsung has almost perfected the form factor with its latest foldable. When folded, the aspect ratio is similar to a traditional bar-style handset, and the thickness makes the device unwieldy to manage. Pixel 10 Pro Fold? Not so much.
2. You’re less enthusiastic about creases and glare
When I first unboxed the Galaxy Z Fold 7, I was surprised by the flatness of the internal screen when I rubbed my hand on it. If you’ve used a folding phone before but couldn’t live with it because of the huge crease in the middle of its big screen, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 will be a breath of fresh air for you.
Samsung’s latest folding phone has the smallest crease in its segment. You can still see it from some angles, but it won’t bother you at all. In comparison, Google’s crease aesthetics still need work, and when you combine this with the bright internal display, reading text-heavy pages and viewing content can be uncomfortable.
3. You want a sophisticated suite of AI features
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 can also run Gemini, but the Pixel 10 Pro Fold can’t run the Galaxy AI feature. This doesn’t mean that Google phones don’t have special features. The new Magic Cue and Camera Coach features mentioned earlier are worth trying out.
Also: PixelSnap is the MagSafe for Android phones we’ve been waiting for – here’s our first look
However, Galaxy AI comparatively has a more tried-and-tested suite of more sophisticated AI features, such as AI Select, a very good object eraser, and more. You can also take advantage of free six months of Gemini AI Pro to try VO3, NotebookLM, etc. with the Galaxy Z Fold 7.
4. You want a better foldable phone deal
It cannot be denied that Google may have mistimed the launch of the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. Because the week it launches, Amazon and most major retailers are discounting now months-old Galaxy Z Fold 7 over $400This brings the price of the base model of the Samsung foldable to around $1,599, which is $200 less than the Pixel.
If we are comparing real-time prices, Samsung not only offers a better camera experience with its 200MP-led configuration, but also undercuts its nearest rival to a great extent. In terms of software support and longevity, both devices are expected to receive seven years of updates, so you’re not necessarily losing out by choosing Samsung instead of Google in this scenario.
