Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 vs Google Pixel Fold: The Ultimate Foldable Showdown

Foldable phones have arrived, and the competition is heating up. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 has been a dominant force, but Google's Pixel Fold enters the arena with a unique proposition. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to see which foldable reigns supreme.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Z Fold4 offers a more refined foldable experience with a brighter display, faster charging, and a more powerful chipset. However, the Pixel Fold boasts Google's signature software, a more compact form factor, and a potentially superior camera experience. It depends on your priorities.

PHONES
Phone Names	Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4	Google Pixel Fold

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71
5G bands	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 257, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave
Speed	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5G	HSPA, LTE, 5G
Technology	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
	CDMA2000 1xEV-DO	CDMA2000 1xEV-DO

Launch
Announced	2022, August 10	2023, May 10
Status	Available. Released 2022, August 25	Available. Released 2023, June 27

Body
Build	Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+) (folded), plastic front (unfolded), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus+), aluminum frame	Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus) (folded), plastic front (unfolded), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame
Dimensions	Unfolded: 155.1 x 130.1 x 6.3 mmFolded: 155.1 x 67.1 x 14.2-15.8 mm	Unfolded: 139.7 x 158.7 x 5.8 mmFolded: 139.7 x 79.5 x 12.1 mm
SIM	· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)	Nano-SIM + eSIM
Weight	263 g (9.28 oz)	283 g (9.98 oz)
	IPX8 water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Armor aluminum frame with tougher drop and scratch resistance (advertised) Stylus support	IPX8 water resistant

Display
Resolution	1812 x 2176 pixels (~373 ppi density)	1840 x 2208 pixels (~378 ppi density)
Size	7.6 inches, 183.2 cm2 (~90.9% screen-to-body ratio)	7.6 inches, 183.3 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (peak)	Foldable OLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM), 1450 nits (peak)
	Cover display: Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ 6.2 inches, 904 x 2316 pixels, 23.1:9 ratio	Cover display: OLED, 120Hz, HDR, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 5.8 inches, 1080 x 2092 pixels, 17.4:9 ratio, 408 ppi 1200 nits (HBM), 1550 nits (peak)

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)	Octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)	Google Tensor G2 (5 nm)
GPU	Adreno 730	Mali-G710 MP7
OS	Android 12L, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1.1	Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades

Memory
Card slot	No	No
Internal	256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM	256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
	UFS 3.1	UFS 3.1

Main Camera
Features	LED flash, HDR, panorama	Laser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple	50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.4, 66mm (telephoto), 1/3.94", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 12mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm	48 MP, f/1.7, 25mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 10.8 MP, f/3.1, 112mm (telephoto), 1/3.1", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 10.8 MP, f/2.2, 121˚, (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.25µm
Video	8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@60/240fps (gyro-EIS), HDR10+	4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR

Selfie camera
Features	HDR	HDR, panorama
Single	4 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/3.0", 2.0µm, under display Cover camera: 10 MP, f/2.2, 24mm (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm	8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm Cover camera: 9.5 MP, f/2.2, 24mm (wide), 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF
Video	4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS	4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	No	No
35mm jack	No	No
Loudspeaker	Yes, with stereo speakers	Yes, with stereo speakers
	32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG	-

Comms
Bluetooth	5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD	5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFC	Yes	Yes
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
Radio	No	No
USB	USB Type-C 3.2, OTG	USB Type-C 3.2, OTG
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
	Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung DeX (desktop experience support) Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) Ultra Wideband (UWB) support	Ultra Wideband (UWB) support

Battery
Charging	25W wired, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless 4.5W reverse wireless	Wired, PD3.0 Wireless
Type	Li-Po 4400 mAh	Li-Po 4821 mAh

Misc
Colors	Graygreen, Phantom Black, Beige, Burgundy	Porcelain, Obsidian
Models	SM-F936B, SM-F936B/DS, SM-F936U, SM-F936U1, SM-F936N, SM-F936W, SM-F9360	G9FPL
Price	$ 457.00 / € 511.80 / £ 485.00 / ₹ 73,899	€ 670.87 / $ 389.26 / £ 899.99
SAR	0.96 W/kg (head) 0.92 W/kg (body)	-
SAR EU	1.30 W/kg (head) 1.51 W/kg (body)	-

Tests
Battery life	Endurance rating 101h	-
Camera	Photo / Video	-
Display	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)	-
Loudspeaker	-28.3 LUFS (Average)	-
Performance	AnTuTu: 964530 (v9) GeekBench: 3981 (v5.1) GFXBench: 43fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)	-

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4

Superior Performance
Brighter Display
Faster Charging
Longer Battery Life
More Refined Foldable Design

Higher Price
Less Compact Form Factor
Software less unique

Google Pixel Fold

Google's Software Ecosystem
More Compact Design
Excellent Camera (Computational Photography)
Premium Build Quality

Slower Performance
Less Bright Display
Slower Charging
Shorter Battery Life
Higher Price

Display Comparison

The Z Fold4 boasts a brighter display (1000 nits measured) and a higher refresh rate, offering a more vibrant and responsive experience. The Pixel Fold's display is excellent, but lacks the Z Fold4's peak brightness. Both offer impressive color accuracy and sharpness when unfolded.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer excellent camera systems, but with different strengths. The Z Fold4 has a versatile triple-lens setup, while the Pixel Fold leverages Google's computational photography prowess. Expect excellent image quality from both, but the Pixel Fold may offer more consistent results in challenging lighting conditions.

Performance

The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the Z Fold4 provides a noticeable performance edge over the Tensor G2. While the Pixel Fold is capable, the Z Fold4 handles demanding tasks and multitasking with greater ease. Gaming performance is also superior on the Z Fold4.

Battery Life

The Z Fold4 has a significant advantage in battery life, with an endurance rating of 101h. The Pixel Fold's battery life is respectable, but falls short of the Z Fold4's longevity. Charging speeds are also faster on the Z Fold4 (25W wired vs. unspecified for Pixel Fold).

Buying Guide

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 is ideal for power users who prioritize performance, multitasking, and a larger unfolded screen. The Google Pixel Fold is best suited for those who value Google's software ecosystem, a more pocketable design, and a seamless camera experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which foldable phone is more durable?

Both phones utilize durable materials, but the Z Fold4 has undergone more rigorous testing and has a slightly better reputation for durability.

❓ Is the Pixel Fold worth the extra cost?

If you're deeply invested in the Google ecosystem and prioritize a more compact design and Google's camera software, the Pixel Fold might be worth the premium. Otherwise, the Z Fold4 offers more value for the money.