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The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold officially went on sale this week, and it already faces stiff competition from the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7. While Google isn’t bringing a flashy redesign like Samsung this year, it rivals the Galaxy with quality-of-life features — a couple of which are subtle but industry-firsts for the foldable market.
If you are ready to upgrade from a slab phone to a foldable one, now is the best time to do so. However, it can be confusing to make a decision when both Google and Samsung book-style foldables are so good this year.
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Having thoroughly tested both devices now, here’s how the new Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold compares to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, and which one is the best for you.
You should buy the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold if…
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1. You work in a dust-prone environment
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold is the first book-style foldable to sport an IP68 rating, which means it is truly resistant against minute dust particles. In comparison, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is rated IP48 for dust and water resistance, so it is protected against solid particles bigger than 1 millimeter. Since dust particles are smaller than 1mm, there’s no guarantee that a Z Fold 7 will do well against dust.
If you live in a place susceptible to dust or work in a dusty environment, the Google foldable will serve you better. It isn’t completely dustproof, per se, but you can get extra peace of mind when using it in those environments.
2. You are switching from an 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 switching to a Samsung foldable is equally as easy or tedious, you’ll be able to retain your iPhone’s MagSafe-compatible accessories if you buy the Google foldable.
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The Pixel 10 series comes with a new feature called PixelSnap. Think of it as MagSafe for Android, where you get magnets to attach a slew of accessories. The new tech is based on Qi2 standards and offers 15W wireless charging on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. So, if you have MagSafe-compatible charging pads, power banks, or even tripods, they should theoretically be compatible with the new Google phones. This makes shifting to an Android foldable easier for an iPhone user.
While the Pixel 10 Pro Fold has an inferior camera system on paper, with its 48MP main sensor competing against Samsung’s 200MP, it does have the ability to shoot at 5x optical (versus Samsung’s 3x), allowing you to capture more detail at a distance. The 5x telephoto zoom is also closer to the iPhone Pro phones, if it’s a camera tool you often use.
3. You want to use all the Pixel-exclusive Gemini features
If you are new to the AI world and want to try the best of Google AI features for free, Pixel 10 Pro Fold is the way to go. The company is offering a year’s worth of Gemini AI Pro subscription for free with its Pixel 10 Pro series. This means you can get enhanced features like access to Gemini 2.5 Pro, Veo 3 for AI-generated videos, 2TB of cloud storage, and previews of upcoming AI tools. By contrast, Samsung is giving six months of free access to the same service with its Galaxy Z Fold 7.
The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold also features the company’s latest on-device and hybrid AI tools, such as Magic Cue, which automatically populates responses, helpful context, and more, whether you’re in the messages app or in a phone call. The Pixel also supports Auto Best Take, which stitches the best shots of people in your photos to create an ideal one with no anomalies.
You should buy the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 if…
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1. You want the slimmest and lightest folding phone
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is undisputedly the best-looking foldable in the US right now, as it flaunts a new slim and lightweight design. In fact, we’ve 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. At 215 grams, it is one of the most comfortable phones to use on the market right now. Plus, it measures just 8.9mm when folded and 4.2mm when unfolded, which feels surreal at times.
Also: I spent a week in New York City with the Samsung Z Fold 7 – and it spoiled me the entire 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 burdenless to manage. The 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 amazed by the inner screen’s flatness when I rubbed my hand over it. If you have used a folding phone before but couldn’t live with it because of a gigantic crease running down 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 features the smallest crease in its segment. You can still see it at certain angles, but it won’t bother you at all. In comparison, Google’s crease aesthetic still needs work, and when you pair it with the glossy inner display, reading text-heavy pages and watching content can be discomforting.
3. You want a polished suite of AI features
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 can also run Gemini, but the Pixel 10 Pro Fold can’t run Galaxy AI features. That’s not to say the Google phone doesn’t have exclusives. The new Magic Cue and Camera Coach features, mentioned earlier, are well worth trying.
Also: PixelSnap is the MagSafe for Android phones we’ve been waiting for – here’s our first look
However, Galaxy AI has a more tried-and-tested suite of comparatively more polished AI features, such as AI Select, a damn good object eraser, and more. You can also avail free six months of Gemini AI Pro to try Veo 3, NotebookLM, etc., with the Galaxy Z Fold 7.
4. You want the better foldable phone deal
There’s no denying that Google may have mistimed the launch of the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. Because on the week that it’s launching, Amazon and most major retailers have discounted the now months-old Galaxy Z Fold 7 by upwards of $400. That puts the base model of the Samsung foldable at around $1,599, $200 less than the Pixel.
If we’re comparing real-time prices, the Samsung not only offers a better camera experience with its 200MP-led configuration, but also undercuts its closest competitor by a meaningful amount. 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 opting for Samsung over Google in this scenario.
