5 reasons I'd get the Pixel 10 Pro Fold over the Galaxy Fold 7

When the Galaxy Z Fold 7 arrived earlier this year, I recommended it over the Pixel 9 Pro Fold thanks to its superior processing power, slimmer and lighter design, and impressive camera upgrades. Now that the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is here, the game changes again — but which is the better buy when it comes to Pixel 10 Pro Fold vs Galaxy Z Fold 7? Good question.

Honestly, it’s a closer call this time, largely because the Fold 7 still gets so much right. Even so, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is a strong step forward for Google, and there are several reasons I’d consider it over Samsung’s flagship.

Tensor finally matures, even if it’s no Snapdragon

I’ll admit it: I usually prefer Snapdragon chips over Google’s Tensor SoC. I’m not necessarily a hardcore power user, but I’ve had too many Pixel issues over the years — overheating, sluggishness, you name it. The fact that Google’s chip is much less powerful hurts here as well.

The good news is the Tensor G5 is a huge leap forward, even if it’s still not in the same league as the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy found in Samsung’s foldable. Built on TSMC’s 3nm process, the G5 delivers double-digit performance gains over its predecessor, with a TPU that’s supposedly 60% more powerful and a CPU that’s 34% faster.

While it’s too soon to say if the new SoC equates to better reliability in the long term, it’s certainly the most impressive Tensor chip to date. It’s still not Qualcomm-level power, but the gap is smaller than ever. With 16GB of RAM and plenty of software and AI optimizations, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold should feel like a true flagship in daily use, even if benchmark charts still favor Samsung.

It’s a better value, saving you around $200

If the Galaxy Z Fold 7 matched the Pixel 10 Pro Fold’s price, I’d say Samsung’s foldable would easily get my recommendation over the Pixel. But it doesn’t. The Fold 7 starts at $1,999, while the Pixel 10 Pro Fold comes in at $1,799. Given the discount, the Tensor chip and the rest of the accompanying hardware are more than good enough here.

A bigger battery and the inclusion of Qi2 charging

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold already beat the Fold 7 on battery capacity (4,650mAh versus 4,400mAh), but the Pixel 10 Pro Fold ups the ante to 5,015mAh. Combined with a less power-hungry chip, there’s a good chance battery life will edge out Samsung’s — though we’ll have to wait for testing to confirm.

Unfortunately, fast charging isn’t a strength for either device, but the Pixel 10 Pro Fold will at least get you 50% charge within 30 minutes using a 30W charger. Pretty close to the Fold 7’s 50% in 26 minutes.

That’s not exactly impressive, but at least Google has added a new trick as the Pro Fold is the first foldable to support Qi2 wireless charging. This matters to me personally, as I find it more convenient to pull my phone off a wireless dock from my bedside table if I need to check something in the middle of the night, for example. The new standard will make this experience even better, as it will charge faster than ever before, and the magnet-based system is easier to align quickly.

The new hinge on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold takes durability to a new level

One of my biggest complaints about foldable technology is that it tends to be much more delicate than a traditional smartphone, but that’s slowly changing. Samsung and Google have both greatly improved the durability of their foldables over the years, but Google’s new hinge seems to take things to a whole new level.

The hinge allows slimmer bezels, is rated as twice as durable as the Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s, and shaves a bit off the dimensions (now 10.1mm folded, down .4mm). It’s slightly heavier at 258g — just one gram more — but it’s also the first foldable with IP68 dust and water resistance, besting Samsung’s IP48 rating.

Google continues to push AI in a big way

Both brands are big on AI, but the Pixel 10 Pro Fold has some major new features here to get excited about. Some of the bigger AI features include:

• A new native audio model: The new model feels more natural and lets you control how it speaks to you. It can even detect emotions and respond accordingly.
• Voice Translate: On-device AI translates calls in real-time using your actual voice instead of the typical robotic responses these kind of translation systems usually deliver.
• Pixel Journal: This private AI journaling app is designed for personal growth and helps you process thoughts, track progress, and more.

That’s just a few of the bigger features, though that’s far from an extensive list. Bottom line, Google continues to be the leader in on-device AI, and that’s unlikely to change anytime soon.

Fold 7 is far from a slouch either, and actually stands above  the Pixel in several ways

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold is cheaper, more durable, and it could very likely have better battery life as well. This combination makes the Pixel 10 Pro Fold a no-brainer if value for money is high on your priorities list, but only if you don’t mind missing out on some of Samsung’s advantages.

The truth remains that Samsung still has some strong advantages. Here are just a few highlights:

• The Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy is much faster overall and has closed the gap in AI and camera optimizations.
• It’s slimmer at just 8.9mm folded and significantly lighter at 215g.
• Samsung gave the Fold 7 a huge camera jump with a 200MP main sensor, while the Pixel 10 Pro Fold camera is more or less the same as last generation, outside of some new photography software improvements.
• Samsung has been at the foldable game for longer and has had more time to refine its foldable-specific software features, even if the gap is closing here as well.

Pixel 10 Pro Fold vs Galaxy Z Fold 7: Specs

Pixel 10 Pro Fold vs Z Fold 7: Which device best fits your needs?

I will admit, I had a hard time deciding which of these devices was more appealing, as both offer some of the best refinements to their foldable lineup to date. Still, I find myself drawn to the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, even if I didn’t feel the same about its predecessor. I value battery life and durability more than the Fold 7’s camera upgrades.

While Samsung’s power and sleek design are tempting, the Pixel’s improved Tensor G5, refinements, and lower price make it the better value in my eyes.

Of course, not everyone values the same things. If your priorities are raw performance and the best possible camera, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 ($1999.99 at Samsung) remains the stronger choice — just know you’ll pay more and miss some of the durability and battery perks Google now offers.