Google has wrapped up its Pixel 9 series event and arguably the most impressive member of it is the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold – you didn't expect that, did you?
This is only Google's second attempt at a foldable Pixel, but it already surpasses Samsung's Fold, now in its sixth generation, in a number of key features.
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold vs Galaxy Z Fold6
In fact, we can safely say that the Pixel 9 Pro Fold has overall superior hardware to the Galaxy Z Fold6, which shows that the Korean company is perhaps getting a little complacent due to the lack of global competition. Well, here’s some top-notch competition that’s taking place in seventeen countries around the world.
Best aspect ratios
The main problem that users have with Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold series is the aspect ratio of the displays, especially the cover screen. Samsung has recently improved this a bit, but the problem is that the Galaxy Z Fold6's cover screen is too narrow compared to any modern smartphone.
In contrast, Google's Pixel 9 Pro Fold has a 6.3-inch display with a standard 20:9 aspect ratio. As a bonus, it's also a 1080p display, while the Z Fold6's is a few pixels shy of 968p.
Image is not to scale
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold's foldable display is larger (207.4 cm2 vs. 185.2 cm2), has a higher resolution, and a closer to 1:1 ratio, which is more convenient for multitasking. And multitasking is what book-style foldables are typically bought for.
Thinner, if heavier
Google has slimmed down the Pixel 9 Pro Fold to an impressive degree. It measures just 10.5mm when folded, which is very close to a normal phone, and is significantly thinner than the Galaxy Z Fold6 (12.1mm) and the OnePlus Open (11.7mm). Unfolded, the Pixel measures just 5.1mm, which is barely thicker than its USB-C port.
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold, a thin device
To its credit, the Galaxy Z Fold6 is significantly lighter – 18 grams to be exact – which is no small feat. But a book-style foldable is the kind of device you’d expect to have a bit of weight, whereas thinness is what you’d typically feel more in everyday use.
Google also made the Pixel 9 Pro Fold water-resistant, though you won't go swimming with either phone.
More RAM and better cameras
The Galaxy Z Fold6 uses a 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, which likely has the performance edge over the new Tensor G4. The CPU clock speeds of both chipsets indicate this, but we'll know for sure when we complete a full test of the new Tensor.
However, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold comes with 16GB of RAM, which is an improvement over the Galaxy Z Fold6's 12GB. More RAM means more apps can run in the background and an overall increase in responsiveness.
Foldable phones make it difficult to fit in a high-end camera, as these high-end foldable phones can attest. Yet, on paper at least, the foldable Pixel has an advantage here as well. The Galaxy Z Fold6’s main camera has a larger sensor and a slightly wider lens. But the Pixel 9 Pro Fold has a zoom camera that’s nearly twice as long (112mm versus 66mm) and autofocus on its ultra-wide camera.
Bigger battery, but better battery life?
The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold has a slightly larger (~6%) 4,650mAh battery, though charging speeds are rather disappointing on both devices. And real-world battery endurance hasn't been tested yet, which is more of a plus than a definite plus.
Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold6 remains the consumer's choice
The fact that the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold is an overall better hardware package probably won't make the Galaxy Z Fold6 lose much sleep over it on its own. The Galaxy Z Fold6 will outsell the Pixel 9 Pro Fold by a lot, and it's not just because it's more widely available. Samsung's foldable offers neater multitasking and S Pen support. It also has some degree of dust protection. And you'll likely find a better deal on the Galaxy Z Fold6 if you shop outside of Samsung's website.
It is, however, quite disappointing that a company not known for its cutting-edge hardware has overtaken a company that rose to the world number one position on the strength of its impressive hardware. Sure, Samsung is increasingly focused on the software side and building an ecosystem, which is commendable, but we should not forget what made it the dominant force in the smartphone market in the first place. And even less so in a new niche that is still relatively new and where there is clearly a lot of room to grow.
Because between Google's latest Fold and the long-awaited release of foldable devices from Chinese companies with their even more impressive hardware, it risks being ousted from a niche it has worked so hard to create.