The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold isn’t just a significant improvement over the original Pixel Fold, it’s also a serious competitor to Samsung in the foldable phone space. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 is an impressive device in its own right, earning praise for its performance and design. But Google’s latest foldable phone brings a number of improvements that make it a formidable competitor. Everything about the new Pixel 9 Pro Fold is clearly aimed at the Samsung Galaxy Fold 6. It looks like Google has taken the Galaxy Fold 6 and added a few touches to make it a little better.
In this article, we'll take a look at five features that make the Pixel 9 Pro Fold better than the Galaxy Z Fold 6. We'll cover features like the display improvements, design, software, camera, and of course, what you pay for: price.
Screen: Bigger and Brighter
The Galaxy Z Fold 6 has a 7.6-inch display, which is quite large. But it pales in comparison to the Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s massive 8-inch internal display. This makes the Pixel 9 Pro Fold the largest screen on any foldable phone currently available.
In a test conducted by Tom's Guide, which loaded the Tom's Guide site onto both devices. According to Tom's Guide, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold's display felt more immersive. That advantage also extends to multitasking, with more screen space for running two apps side by side. Although no formal lab tests have been conducted yet, it concluded that the Pixel 9 Pro Fold's main panel appeared brighter. Both phones have 6.3-inch front displays, but the Pixel 9 Pro Fold's larger display makes it more usable, especially when used with two hands. Using the Pixel 9 Pro Fold when closed feels more like a regular smartphone than the Z Fold 6's tall screen.
Design: Thin and Light
Design-wise, the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold is the thinnest foldable phone available in the US, measuring 6.1 x 5.9 x 0.2 inches when unfolded and 0.4 inches when folded. By comparison, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is slightly thicker, measuring 6.1 x 5.9 x 0.3 inches when unfolded and 0.47 inches when folded.
Weight is another critical factor. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold weighs 9.1 ounces, making it lighter than the original Pixel Fold. However, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is even lighter at 8.4 ounces. If you’re looking for a foldable that feels like a regular phone when closed, the difference in weight and thickness can be significant.
AI Features: Google's Edge
AI features are a key battleground for these devices, and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold shines in this area. Google’s Add Me feature, which uses AI and augmented reality, lets you add someone after taking a photo. The Pixel Screenshots feature allows for natural language searches and quick creation of calendar entries from information in screenshots, saving users a ton of time.
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Pixel Studio’s generative AI capabilities enable image creation from text prompts, while Magic Editor’s Reimagine feature enables text prompt-based photo editing. These features are innovative and user-friendly.
The Galaxy Z Fold 6 also has impressive AI capabilities like the Sketch to Image feature, but it works best with an S Pen, which costs extra.
Camera: Advanced Capabilities
There’s no full camera comparison available at the moment, but initial impressions suggest that the Pixel 9 Pro Fold could outperform the Galaxy Z Fold 6 in this department. At the very least, the camera hardware differences between these devices are enough to suggest that the Pixel 9 Pro Fold will outperform the Z Fold 6. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold has 5x telephoto zoom compared to the Z Fold 6’s 3x. It also has a sharper in-display camera at 10MP, while the Z Fold 6 only offers 4MP.
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold also includes Night mode for both video and panoramic photos, improvements that Samsung's foldable lacks, suggesting that Google's device could provide a superior photography experience.
Price: Competitive Value
The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold starts at $1,799 for 256GB of storage, maintaining its predecessor’s price point. In comparison, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 starts at $1,899, making it $100 more expensive than its rival. While deals and promotions can lower those prices, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold generally offers a better value.
Samsung's Strengths
It’s not all rosy for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, as it lags behind the Galaxy Z Fold 6 in some areas. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold may have an advantage over the Z Fold 6, but Samsung’s foldable device also has some advantages that should make it an attractive option for many users.
The Galaxy Z Fold 6 has its strengths. It’s likely to have a faster Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip (exact benchmarks apply), is lighter, and includes built-in S Pen support. Some users may prefer the Z Fold 6’s narrower front display, which makes it sleeker when closed.
Result: A Tough Opponent
Overall, the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold is a strong competitor to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6. It stands out in the foldable phone market with its larger display, innovative AI features, and competitive pricing. While Samsung’s device has its advantages, Google’s improvements suggest that the Pixel 9 Pro Fold could surpass Samsung’s flagship foldable device.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 vs Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: Which Should You Buy?
The answer to this question depends entirely on personal needs and budget. Some users may prefer a narrow front display, while others may prefer a wide front display. Even the weight difference can affect individual preferences. There’s also the price difference, which many users may consider when deciding between the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
In summary, the above features, hardware and price differences will be enough to make it easier for you to choose between the two devices.