Pixel 9 Pro Fold vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6: Which foldable is best for you?

table of contents

Get ready for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold vs Galaxy Z Fold 6 showdown.

of Made by Google 2024 The event also saw the launch of yet another foldable device, the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold, which comes with all the upgrades and AI features you would expect from a smartphone in this day and age.

the Pixelfold Now, Google’s Pixel 9 Pro Fold fixes the first generation’s common shortcomings with some notable improvements, and from the looks of things, it’s already closing in on Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 6 .

reference:

What to expect from Made by Google 2024

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 prices and specs

At first glance, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and Galaxy Z Fold 6 are far from affordable smartphones. But they both come with premium specs and the latest AI tech, so they’re a good choice for a smartphone. Should You will get value for your money.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold in hand

Google Pixel 9 Pro Foldable
Credit: Mashable

Pricing for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold starts at $1,799. Google StoreThat’s slightly cheaper than Samsung’s $1,899 Galaxy Z Fold 6. Samsung Official Storethis is, Galaxy Z Fold 5Meanwhile, the price of the Pixel remained unchanged.

Here’s a breakdown of the basic configuration of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold:

  • 8″ Super Actua Flex internal display, 6.3″ external display

  • 4,560mAh battery

  • 16GB RAM

  • 256GB or 512GB storage

  • Tensor G4 processor

  • IPX8 rated

  • Rear camera: 48MP main lens, 10.5MP ultra-wide lens, 10.8MP telephoto lens

  • 10MP front camera

  • 10MP inner camera when unfolded

  • Google Gemini AI

Here’s what the Galaxy Z Fold 6 brings to the table:

  • 7.6-inch AMOLED internal display, 6.3-inch external display

  • 4,400mAh battery

  • 12GB RAM

  • 256GB or 512GB storage

  • Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor

  • IP48 rated

  • Rear camera: 50MP main lens, 12MP ultra-wide lens, 10MP telephoto lens

  • 10MP front camera

  • 4MP inner camera when unfolded

  • Galaxy AI

On paper, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold touts superior numbers, including external display size, RAM, battery, etc. But the Galaxy Z Fold 6 offers more megapixels in the camera department and is powered by the more powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 internal display in hand

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
Credit: Mashable

Either way, the $100 difference for the Z Fold 6 comes into question, as they both offer similarly impressive specs.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 open in hand

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6: Display

It’s all about OLED here, and size is pretty much the only difference between the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and the Galaxy Z Fold 6. With both foldable devices, you can expect bright 120Hz displays with vibrant colors, but the Pixel steps things up a notch with a larger internal display.

Hands opening the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold

Google Pixel 9 Pro Foldable
Credit: Mashable

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold comes with an 8-inch Super Actua Flex internal display (2076 x 2152 resolution) and a 6.3-inch external display (1080 x 2424 resolution). It’s noticeably larger than the original Pixel Fold (7.6-inch internal display, 5.8-inch external display) and is 80% brighter, reaching a peak brightness of up to 2,700 nits.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 open in hand

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
Credit: Mashable

As for the Galaxy Z Fold 6, the inner display boasts a 7.6-inch AMOLED screen (2160 x 1856 resolution), while the outer display is now 6.3 inches (968 x 2376 resolution), which is 0.1 inch larger for a cover screen than the Z Fold 5. Additionally, the maximum brightness of both screens reaches 2,600 nits, which is significantly higher than the Z Fold 5’s 1,750 nits, though still not as high as the Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s 2,700 nits.

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s 8-inch internal display is one of the largest on a foldable smartphone, which is great. So far, it beats the Galaxy Z Fold 6’s display, but its size might be unwieldy for those who prefer a more compact phone.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6: Design

In essence, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and Galaxy Z Fold 6 are folding versions of the mainstream Pixel 9 Pro and Galaxy Z Fold 6. Galaxy S24 Ultrarespectively. While both boast premium foldable tablet designs, it’s fair to say the second-generation Pixel Fold has the most significant changes.

It’s thinner and lighter than its predecessor, measuring 155.2 x 77.1 x 10.5mm folded and 155.2 x 150.2 x 5.1mm unfolded, and weighing 257 grams. It also looks more advanced thanks to the dual rear camera cutout. Otherwise, it mimics the overall design aesthetic of the Pixel smartphone, including the camera visor, but with more space for the display to shine.

Mashable Lightspeed

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold back view (handheld)

Google Pixel 9 Pro Foldable
Credit: Mashable

The Galaxy Z Fold 6 takes an “if it ain’t broke” approach, with only minor design changes to the familiar Z Fold series formula.

The Galaxy Z Fold 6 measures 153.5 x 68.1 x 12.1mm folded and 153.5 x 132.6 x 5.6mm unfolded, making it shorter and narrower than the Pixel 9 Pro Fold but thicker than Google’s rival.

The Z Fold 6 is also noticeably lighter, weighing in at 239 grams – 18 grams lighter than the competition. The internal display isn’t as large as the Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s, but the design is certainly more compact.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 cover display in hand

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
Credit: Mashable

Coming to color options, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold only comes in Obsidian and Porcelain, while the Galaxy Z Fold 6 has a few more options including Crafted Black, White, Pink, Navy, and Silver Shadow.

It’s worth noting that the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is IPX8 rated, while the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is IP48 rated, meaning that while both are waterproof, the Z Fold 6 is more dustproof, a rare feature for a foldable.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6: Performance

Performance in a foldable phone is important, and foldable phones are made for multitasking and running multiple apps at once. While Google and Samsung use different processors, it’s fair to say that both the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and the Galaxy Z Fold 6 can handle the strain thanks to their chipsets.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold internal display in hand

Google Pixel 9 Pro Foldable
Credit: Mashable

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is equipped with Google’s new Tensor G4 processor, which is designed to enhance AI features and improve performance, including tools like Gemini with split screen, Chat with Gemini, and Gemini Nano with AI features exclusive to the Pixel.

Meanwhile, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip that packs a punch. It offers improved Galaxy AI capabilities as well as raw power. As the Galaxy S24 Ultra can attest, this processor is powerful, scoring 7,078 points in the Geekbench 6 test.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 internal display in hand

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
Credit: Mashable

Google’s custom-made Tensor chips aren’t known for their power, but they’re great for AI features and image processing. You can expect a similar experience with the Tensor G4, but if you’re looking for more powerful performance, the Z Fold 6’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is the way to go.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6: Battery Life

Despite the difference in battery capacity, previous generations of foldable phones from Google and Samsung offered excellent battery life, and you can expect all-day battery life from the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and Galaxy Z Fold 6.

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s battery capacity is 4,560mAh, which is smaller than the Pixel Fold’s 4,821mAh. Although testing is still required, the upgraded Tensor G4 chip should be more power efficient. At the very least, it should last a little over 24 hours, similar to the Pixel Fold.

The Galaxy Z Fold 6 has a smaller battery capacity of 4,400mAh, but not by much – in any case, it’s the same as the Z Fold 5, and it lasted about 28 hours in our tests.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6: Camera

It’s hard to judge the camera specs of these foldable phones, as Google and Samsung’s image processing and AI features can transform average photos into masterpieces. Still, a higher megapixel count means more detailed snapshots.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold in hand with selfie camera inside the display

Google Pixel 9 Pro Foldable
Credit: Mashable

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold boasts a triple rear camera array with a 48MP wide-angle camera, a 10.5MP ultra-wide camera with autofocus, and a 10.8MP telephoto camera. You can also expect a 10MP front camera and a 10MP dual PD in-display camera. Needless to say, there’s more than one way to take photos.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 in hand with in-display selfie camera

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
Credit: Mashable

The triple camera setup on the back of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 includes a 50MP PD wide camera, a 12MP ultra-wide camera, and a 10MP telephoto lens. There’s also a 10MP selfie camera and a 4MP under-display lens.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6: Software

Since they’re both Android foldable devices, the user experience isn’t all that different between the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and the Galaxy Z Fold 6. Still, Google uses “stock” Android, so it fits right in on the Pixel, while Samsung’s One UI has had years to perfect the software experience for foldable devices.

Either way, both will run on Android 14 and come with seven years of OS and security updates.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6: AI

Gemini Vs. Galaxy AIGoogle Major Competitor is OpenAI Chat GPTGalaxy AI isn’t without its strengths, such as live translation and instant time-lapse effects on photos, but on the Galaxy Z Fold 6 it’s a bit hit-and-miss.

Gemini is one of the pioneers in artificial intelligence (formerly known as Google Bard) and aims to bring its power to the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. The built-in AI assistant is integrated with many Google apps, including Calendar, Maps, Gmail, Photos, and more. There’s also an AI feature called Pixel Screenshots, which allows Gemini Nano to save, organize, and recall events, places, and anything else you want to remember, just by talking.

It will be interesting to see how Gemini is used, especially compared to Galaxy AI.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6: Which is better?

Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series has been around for a long time, but Google’s second-generation Pixel Fold brought some bold changes to foldable tablets, specifically a much larger internal display, wider design, and thinner form factor.

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is impressive and slightly more affordable, but the Galaxy Z Fold 6 seems to be aimed at people who prefer a more compact design that can be used one-handed when folded. Of course, these are still premium foldables, so brand loyalty is important.

We’ll need to spend some more time in the wild with both foldable phones to really see how they perform. Made by Google 2024 Event A bunch of new Pixel products were announced that are worth checking out, including the new Pixel 9 Pro XL, Pixel Buds Pro 2, and Pixel Watch 3.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 internal display in hand

Leave a Comment