I adore it once I’m confounded by smartphones as a result of it means we’re discussing fascinating merchandise.
In some ways, the Google Pixel 10 Professional Fold and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 really feel like they’re switching locations. The higher foldable for first-time customers isn’t the one you assume, however that’s not your entire story.
Google and Samsung did an admirable job making book-style foldables extra sensible for informal customers, however the excessive value tags will at all times relegate these telephones to area of interest standing.
Selecting between the 2 is sophisticated, however there are clear patrons for each. I used the Google Pixel 10 Professional Fold and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7. Right here’s why I’ve by no means been extra confused.
What I like concerning the Pixel 10 Professional Fold
Google did numerous work beneath the hood
If you happen to picked up a Pixel 10 Professional Fold with out utilizing it, you’d query whether or not Google modified something from final 12 months’s system. Each telephones share an identical exterior, with the Pixel 10 Professional Fold truly getting thicker this 12 months.
It’s nonetheless nice to carry, and it’s ridiculous to not suggest a cellphone as a result of it’s 5.2mm thick as a substitute of 4.2mm unfolded — particularly when there’s a reputable purpose why the Pixel 10 Professional Fold grew.
Fortunately, it’s not a 1:1 construct of the Pixel 9 Professional Fold, and the quilt display screen has grow to be bigger and brighter.
I at all times recognize any additional room on an exterior show, and I might comfortably kind on the Pixel 10 Professional Fold’s 6.4-inch panel. Its 3,000 nits max brightness does make a distinction open air, making the display screen simpler to see in daylight.
Different enhancements Google made are even much less noticeable to the bare eye.
The hinge is gearless, and it feels unbelievable. It’s strong, and I recognize Google’s efforts to make foldables extra sturdy — fewer shifting elements means there’s much less that may go improper sooner or later.
Equally, the Pixel 10 Professional Fold options an IP68 score for mud and water resistance.
It’s not one thing that can transfer the needle for fanatics or individuals accustomed to proudly owning foldables, nevertheless it’s a major deal for everybody else.
At any time when I check a brand new foldable, one of many first questions I’m requested is about its sturdiness.
I don’t need to watch out with the place I take my $1,800 smartphone. It’s at all times going to be a type issue that requires extra warning, particularly when the cellphone is unfolded.
Nonetheless, an IP68 score is a major step in the suitable route, and it’ll in the end result in patrons being extra keen to take an opportunity on the Pixel 10 Professional Fold.
I’ve written extensively about how a lot I take pleasure in Materials 3 Expressive, and the Android 16 expertise on the Pixel 10 Professional Fold is all the things I anticipated.
Google’s 90:10 multitasking break up is a delight, and I like with the ability to slide forwards and backwards between two apps with a faucet.
App pairs are additionally straightforward to arrange, and it seems that Google has lastly made the interior show expertise a precedence.
All of your favourite Gemini options can be found, together with pure language photograph modifying and Magic Cue.
I nonetheless wouldn’t belief AI with something greater than informal information and easy duties, however I do discover myself utilizing Gemini extra typically.
I discussed that the Pixel 10 Professional Fold is thicker in 2025, however Google made use of the house. It now contains a 5,015mAh battery, and you may discover the distinction.
I get two full days of combined use, one thing I haven’t been capable of say about some other book-style foldable.
If you happen to cost your cellphone every evening, it gained’t matter a lot to you, however I recognize the flexibleness of understanding the additional capability is there if I would like it.
It’s additionally a pleasure to have Qi2 compatibility on the Pixel 10 Professional Fold.
I don’t condone Google not making notable enhancements to the cameras on the Pixel 10 Professional Fold, nevertheless it’s exhausting to argue with the standard of its pictures.
I want Google would improve the saturation in its images only a bit extra, however I want pictures taken on the Pixel 10 Professional Fold to some other folding cellphone (within the US).
The 5x telephoto lens is great, and it’s one of many fewest compromises you’ll make on a digicam system on a folding system.
What I like concerning the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7
Impressively skinny, excellent efficiency
I famous earlier {that a} barely thicker body wouldn’t be a purpose for me to inform individuals to not purchase the Pixel 10 Professional Fold.
Nonetheless, the 4.2mm skinny body on the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is undoubtedly a purpose you’d need to purchase one.
It feels excellent to carry, and don’t underestimate the burden distinction. The Pixel 10 Professional Fold is over 40 grams heavier — and you may really feel it.
When folded, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 isn’t any bulkier than a conventional smartphone, which is spectacular, on condition that Samsung has widened the quilt display screen this 12 months. It makes the system a extra enticing transition for first-time foldable customers.
Its 6.5-inch outer show is wider, which means I can comfortably spend a complete day with out unfolding the cellphone and be happy with the person expertise.
There isn’t a penalty for carrying across the Galaxy Z Fold 7. If you happen to don’t must unfold the cellphone all day, it doesn’t matter, as a result of it’s so skinny and lightweight.
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 additionally has a bonus beneath the hood. Its Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset is great and simply bests the Tensor G5 within the Pixel 10 Professional Fold.
The Pixel 10 Professional Fold isn’t a foul performer, and uncooked efficiency wasn’t Google’s objective. I’m not right here to bash the Tensor, and the Pixel 10 Professional Fold is a productiveness powerhouse.
Nonetheless, if gaming is a consideration for you, otherwise you often edit images and movies, you’ll discover a distinction in efficiency between the 2 telephones.
I could want Materials 3 Expressive on the Pixel, however One UI 8 is great software program.
It’s clean and well-designed, and multitasking runs nicely on the Galaxy Z Fold 7 — even when app pairs require an additional step in comparison with the Pixel 10 Professional Fold.
Samsung’s 90:10 break up multitasking additionally runs nicely on the Galaxy Z Fold 7.
You additionally get the identical seven years of software program assist. You could not hold your cellphone for seven years, nevertheless it provides worth to the system, particularly at resale time.
And I might always remember DeX, which is a must have for Samsung followers.
Samsung didn’t improve the battery dimension of the Galaxy Z Fold 7. The corporate thinned out the cellphone, so I can’t get too upset.
Nonetheless, we’ve seen loads of telephones abroad use silicon-carbon batteries so as to add capability to equally skinny foldables.
I gained’t eat Samsung’s lunch for it, and the Galaxy Z Fold 7 will get strong battery life. Nonetheless, for those who’re utilizing the cellphone unfolded for a big portion of the day, anticipate to want to cost it in a single day.
For most individuals, that’s a given, and also you’ll possible by no means have a criticism concerning the battery life on the Galaxy Z Fold 7.
Nonetheless, I want Samsung had discovered a method to match a bigger cell than the 4,400mAh one we acquired.
Samsung was fast to focus on the upgraded digicam system within the Galaxy Z Fold 7, and I did discover an enchancment in high quality from its 200MP major sensor.
I want Samsung’s coloration science, and pictures from my Galaxy Z Fold 7 are barely hotter — best for social media.
General, I want the Pixel 10 Professional Fold’s digicam system, particularly for low-light images, however you’re not getting a potato with the Z Fold 7.
It’s not a simple name between the 2
If you happen to want higher uncooked efficiency or need a skinny cellphone as your first foldable, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the system you need — even at a $200 premium.
In the meantime, the Google Pixel 10 Professional Fold is most well-liked for hardcore multitaskers. If you wish to use the interior show lots with out worrying about battery life, Google’s foldable is the best way to go.
Both approach, I’m annoyed. I want these telephones could possibly be mixed for the right foldable, however no less than it’s a extra entertaining dialog this 12 months.
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- SoC
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Google Tensor G5
- RAM
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16GB
- Storage
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256 GB / 512 GB/ 1TB with Zoned UFS
- Battery
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5015mAh
- Working System
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Android 16
- Entrance digicam
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10 MP Twin PD
The Pixel 10 Professional Fold affords Gemini AI options and might stand up to a formidable 10 years of display screen folding. This smartphone is an funding that’ll final for years to return.
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- SoC
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Snapdragon 8 Elite
- RAM
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12GB or 16GB
- Storage
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256GB, 512GB, or 1TB
- Battery
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4,400mAh
- Ports
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USB-C
- Working System
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One UI 8
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the thinnest and lightest within the sequence up to now, integrating a strong Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor for enhanced AI capabilities and a 200MP pro-grade digicam. Constructed for enhanced sturdiness with an Armor FlexHinge and Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2, the system contains a wider 6.5-inch cowl display screen and unfolds into an expansive 8.0-inch principal show for immersive viewing and productiveness.
