Uninspired
I will be upfront and say that I do not like what Samsung is doing with its foldables; the Galaxy Z Fold 6 retains the identical design as its predecessor, and meaning you continue to get the identical slim cowl display screen that does not help you do a lot. As somebody who makes use of the duvet display screen predominantly, the Z Fold 6 is a non-starter for my very own use. That mentioned, Samsung rolled out the standard yearly upgrades: the telephone is extra highly effective, has higher ingress safety, and comes with a slate of AI options. Nevertheless, the basics are unchanged, and you will have to pay a further premium this yr — which simply is not value it.
For
- Standout construct high quality
- IP48 ingress safety
- Unimaginable {hardware}
- AI-assisted software program with seven years of updates
Towards
- Costlier than final yr
- Common battery life
- Cowl display screen has restricted usability
- Tall and unwieldy to make use of
- Unchanged cameras
Heavy metallic
The Pixel Fold is an intriguing gadget if you’d like a foldable that is not tall and unwieldy. The 5.8-inch cowl display screen is nice to make use of, and it unfolds to 7.6 inches — the identical measurement because the Galaxy Z Fold 6. The standard of the panels is superb, you get one of many strongest digicam packages on this phase, and also you get Google’s clear software program with a ton of helpful extras. That mentioned, the Pixel Fold is 54g heavier than Samsung’s providing, it does not fold totally flat, and you may’t purchase it in most world markets.
For
- Usable cowl and internal screens
- Wonderful cameras
- IPX8 ingress safety
- Clear software program with loads of distinctive extras
- Nice battery life
Towards
- Heavy
- Not as highly effective as Z Fold 6
- Does not fold flat
- Restricted world availability
- Will not get as many software program updates
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 vs. Google Pixel Fold: Design
Samsung does not like altering the design of its gadgets, and that is evident once you check out the Galaxy Z Fold 6. The foldable is a smidgen thinner and taller than its predecessor, however the general design is an identical. The one distinction is that the cameras have barely greater rings encircling every module, however aside from that, there is not any telling that you just’re utilizing Samsung’s latest-gen foldable.
The opposite key distinction is that the Z Fold 6 is lighter; at 239g, it’s 16g lighter than its predecessor, and you may really feel that when utilizing the gadget. Samsung can also be utilizing the most recent iteration of its Armor Aluminum chassis, and that ought to permit the Z Fold 6 to be resilient in every day use. The hinge is not as clean to articulate because the Magic V2 or different 2024 foldables I’ve used, and it’s fairly stiff.
That mentioned, the addition of IP48 ingress safety offers the Z Fold 6 a definite benefit on this class; most foldables — together with the Pixel Fold — nonetheless have an IPX8 score, and by including mud resistance into the combination, the Z Fold 6 is ready to face up to the weather simply that little higher.
Coming to the Pixel Fold, the foldable is not going to win any design awards, however Google nailed the basics. It’s nice to carry and use (if a bit large), and it has the identical caliber of construct high quality because the Z Fold 6. Nevertheless, the Pixel Fold is among the heaviest telephones you should purchase at this time — if not the heaviest general. At 283g, it’s a full 44g heavier than the Z Fold 6.
The most important concern with the design of the Pixel Fold is that it does not fold totally flat, and that will get annoying in every day use. The Z Fold 6 has no such shortcomings, however the draw back is that the crease remains to be noticeable — rather more so than most different gadgets on this phase.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 vs. Google Pixel Fold: Shows
In all measurable metrics, Samsung has the lead on this space; each the internal and outer panels of the Z Fold 6 get brighter than the Pixel Fold, and so they get dynamic refresh that goes to 120Hz. However the issue is that Samsung continues to restrict the usability of the duvet display screen, and the 6.3-inch outer display screen is simply too tall and slim to get any significant work finished.
This has been a continuing supply of annoyance up to now, and I assumed Samsung would amend the state of affairs with the Z Fold 6, however that wasn’t the case. All different foldables have regular-sized outer panels that provide you with better flexibility on this regard, identical to the Pixel Fold. Though the gadget has a smaller 5.8-inch panel on the surface, it’s rather more usable due to its 17.4:9 ratio; it is simply higher to make use of to see emails and messaging purchasers.
Each gadgets get the identical 7.6-inch internal display screen, and the AMOLED panel on Samsung’s providing has higher colours and brightness, making it an excellent selection for streaming content material and gaming.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 vs. Google Pixel Fold: {Hardware} and cameras
Samsung has a transparent edge on the subject of the {hardware}, and that is solely right down to the usage of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Samsung makes use of a customized model of Qualcomm’s silicon that is reserved for its gadgets, and it has barely larger clocks than the common mannequin.
You get 12GB of RAM and 256GB of UFS 4.0 storage as customary on the Z Fold 6, together with Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, UWB, AptX HD codecs, and USB-C 3.2 connectivity. There is not a lot lacking on this space, and whereas I needed Samsung to extend the battery measurement, the 4400mAh unit ought to final all day with medium use.
Google makes it clear that it does not provide the very best internals on its gadgets, as an alternative prioritizing AI use instances. In consequence, the Tensor G2 on the Pixel Fold is distinctly second-rate, and whereas it’s respectable sufficient in every day use, the shortcomings are noticeable once you begin working demanding video games.
The Pixel Fold additionally falls behind in different areas; it makes use of UFS 3.1 flash storage, and there is not any 1TB choice obtainable. The place it does come out forward is battery life, with the 4821mAh battery in a position to ship as much as a day’s value of use persistently. Google additionally has a definite benefit within the imaging facet of issues, and the Pixel Fold takes excellent photographs in nearly any state of affairs.
It has a good set of lenses as effectively, and once you add Google’s digicam wizardry, the Pixel Fold stays one of many finest foldables round on this space. Samsung hasn’t modified a lot with the Z Fold 6, and whereas it makes use of final yr’s sensors, tweaks to digicam algorithms permit the gadget to take higher photographs in low-light conditions.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 vs. Google Pixel Fold: Software program
I desire Google’s software program, so it should not be astonishing that I like to recommend the Pixel Fold out of those two gadgets. Samsung has quite a bit happening with One UI 6.1, and Galaxy AI is legitimately helpful — the brand new drawing characteristic is undoubtedly cool. That mentioned, the interface is beginning to get bloated once more, and it simply does not have the fluidity that you just get with most different producers.
That mentioned, Samsung is providing seven Android OS updates with the Z Fold 6, and that is according to what you get on the Galaxy S24 fashions. Whereas Google additionally has the identical replace coverage with the Pixel 8 and eight Professional, the Pixel Fold will solely obtain two further Android updates, and that is a disgrace.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 vs. Google Pixel Fold: Which must you purchase?
Often, I attempt to suggest one of many gadgets I am writing about in these versus posts, however that is arduous to do right here. The issue is that neither gadget is anyplace near the very best that this phase has to supply. Samsung is basically unchallenged in North America, so it does not have to innovate with its foldable designs, and that’s instantly evident when trying on the Galaxy Z Fold 6.
Chinese language manufacturers provide significantly better {hardware}, sleeker designs, and excellent cameras, however as they do not promote their foldables within the U.S., you are primarily left with restricted choices. In case you are fascinated by a brand new foldable, I might counsel getting the OnePlus Open; it has two usable screens, terrific cameras, nice software program, and stellar battery life. And at $1,699, it undercuts each the Pixel Fold and Z Fold 6.
Out of the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Pixel Fold, I am inclined to suggest the latter; it has higher battery life, and also you get two usable screens. Clearly, the {hardware} is not as highly effective, and at 283g, it’s significantly heavier, however the software program is significantly better general, and also you get higher battery life as effectively.
Uninspired
Samsung has a lot to supply with the Z Fold 6, however the $1,899 asking value makes it a non-starter. There simply is not sufficient in the best way of upgrades to warrant that value, and in case you should have a Samsung foldable, it’s best to simply get final yr’s Galaxy Z Fold 5 as an alternative.
Heavy metallic
The Pixel Fold did not have the very best internals when it debuted a yr in the past, and it is not actually the very best on this space. However you get attractive {hardware}, nice cameras, clear software program with well timed updates, and dependable battery life.
