Google wrapped up its Pixel 9 series event and the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold was the most impressive member of it – you didn’t expect that, did you?
This is Google’s second attempt at a foldable Pixel, but it already outpaces Samsung’s seasoned foldable in its sixth generation in several key features.
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold vs Galaxy Z Fold6
In fact, we can say for sure that the Pixel 9 Pro Fold has better hardware overall than the Galaxy Z Fold6, which shows that the Korean company is getting a bit complacent due to the lack of global competition. Well, here are some stellar matches coming up in seventeen countries around the world.
Best rates
The main issue users face with Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series is the aspect ratio of the displays – especially the cover screen. Samsung has been improving it recently, but the bottom line is that the Galaxy Z Fold6’s cover screen is too narrow compared to any modern bar smartphone.
In contrast, Google’s Pixel 9 Pro Fold has a 6.3-inch covered display and a standard 20:9 aspect ratio. As a bonus, it’s a 1080p panel, whereas the Z Fold6’s is a few pixels lower at 968p.
Image not to scale
The folding display on the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is larger (207.4 cm2 and 185.2 cm2), has a higher resolution and close to 1:1 aspect ratio, making it more comfortable for multitasking. And multitasking is what book-style folding is usually bought for.
If thin, heavy
Google reduced the Pixel 9 Pro fold to an impressive level. It’s 10.5mm folded, very close to a normal phone and significantly thinner than both the Galaxy Z Fold6 (12.1mm) and the OnePlus Open (11.7mm). Unlocked, the Pixel is just 5.1mm — barely thicker than its USB-C port.
Slim Pixel 9 Pro Fold
To its credit, the Galaxy Z Fold6 is so light – 18g to be exact – that it doesn’t matter. Again, a book-style foldable device is something you’d expect a bit more of, while a slimmer one is what you usually feel more comfortable with in everyday use.
Google also made the Pixel 9 Pro Fold water-resistant, although you won’t be able to swim with either phone.
More RAM and better cameras
The Galaxy Z Fold6 uses the 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, which outperforms the new Tensor G4 in performance. The clock speeds on the processors of both chipsets are indicative, though we’ll know for sure when we finish a full review of the new Tensor.
However, the Pixel 9 Pro comes with 16GB of RAM, which is a step up from the Galaxy Z Fold6’s 12GB. More RAM means more apps can work in the background and are generally more responsive.
As these premier folding phones will attest, foldables make it difficult to fit even the most high-end camera hardware. Still, on paper, the Pixel foldable has an edge here too. The main camera on the Galaxy Z Fold6 has a larger sensor and a slightly wider lens. But the Pixel 9 Pro Fold has almost twice the zoom camera (112mm vs 66mm) and autofocus on its ultra-wide-angle camera.
Bigger battery, but better battery life?
The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold has a slightly larger (~6%) 4,650mAh battery, though charging speed is disappointing on both. Actual battery endurance has yet to be tested, so this may be more than a definite advantage.
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold6 is still the top choice
The Galaxy Z Fold6 won’t lose too much sleep as the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold is the overall better hardware package. The Galaxy Z Fold6 beats the Pixel 9 Pro Fold by a country mile, and not just because it’s more widely available. Samsung’s foldable has more polished multitasking and supports the S Pen. It also has dust protection. Also, if you shop outside of Samsung’s own website, you can find a great deal on the Galaxy Z Fold6.
However, it’s too bad that a company not known for its cutting-edge hardware has overtaken a company that has risen to become the number one manufacturer globally on the back of its impressive hardware. Of course, Samsung is focusing more and more on the software side and building an ecosystem and that’s commendable, but let’s not forget what made it a dominant force in the smartphone market. Still relatively new and clearly lacking where there is a lot of headroom.
Because between Google’s recent folding and the Chinese company’s long-awaited foldable hardware launch, it risks being squeezed out of a niche it’s worked so hard for.
