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Smartphones have been a staple for most of the world’s population for over a decade. In the beginning, they were fascinating and cutting-edge technology. However, with time, smartphones have become monotonous with boring designs that hardly evolve with every passing year like they once did.
The design stagnation prompted technology companies to take more initiative and develop attractive phones, leading to foldable devices. The first major tech company to launch a foldable phone to market was Samsung in 2019, prompting other companies like Google, LG, Huawei, Oppo, Lenovo, and Motorola to join the race.
Let’s compare the Google Pixel Fold and Galaxy Fold so you can learn everything you need to know about the two smartphones.
Pixel Fold vs. Galaxy Fold: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Pixel Fold | Galaxy Fold | |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Samsung | |
| Release Date | Sometime in 2023 | August 2022 |
| Operating System | Android 12 or Android 13 | Android 12 |
| Processor | Google Tensor | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 |
| Price | From $1,400 to $1,800 | 256GB – $1,464.99 512GB – $1,584.99 1TB – $1,824.99 |
- Take notes while on a conference call or watching a video
- Hands-free video chat allows you to multitask
- Open multiple windows when working
- Customize how apps display on your phone
Pixel Fold vs. Galaxy Fold: What’s the Difference?
Determining the differences between the Google Pixel Fold and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 is quite challenging. That is mainly because the Galaxy Fold has been available for purchase for almost six months now, which makes it easier to review, unlike the Pixel Fold, which is yet to hit the market.
As such, most of the information available for the Pixel Fold comes from leaks within Google. Though many might question relying on leaks to compare devices, it is not uncommon. Moreover, leaks from previous years about other devices, such as the Pixel Watch, have proven reliable.
Let’s break down the differences we do know.
Design
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 and the Google Pixel Fold have a similar general design based on information leaks currently available about the Pixel Fold. However, there are significant differences that distinguish them. First, the Samsung Galaxy Fold is noticeably more rectangular than the Google Pixel Fold when unfolded because the Fold is slightly longer than the Pixel Fold.
On the other hand, Google chose a more square-shaped design to ensure the phone stands out from its competitors. Secondly, a screen covers the entire surface area of the Galaxy Fold’s inner display. In addition, the Galaxy Fold’s inner screen has rounded corners.
Conversely, the Google Pixel Fold has noticeable bezels at the top and bottom of its inner screen, smaller bezels on the screen’s sides, and no rounded corners. As a result, the Pixel Fold has a smaller viewable screen area than the Galaxy Fold when unfolded.
Lastly, the camera arrangements are another significant difference between the Galaxy Fold and the Pixel Fold. For instance, Samsung had to use a hole-punch camera on the Galaxy Fold’s inner screen as it has a full inner screen with rounded edges and no bezels, which leaves no room for a camera. That means the screen does not act as a full display, as the camera limits viewing space. On the other hand, the Google Pixel Fold has a bezel surrounding the inner screen, which leaves room on the device’s frame to mount a camera. As such, the camera does not interfere with the display in the Google Fold’s inner screen, meaning it will not distract buyers when they use the phone.
Moreover, the Galaxy Fold and Pixel Fold have different camera arrangements on their rear cameras. The Galaxy Fold has three rear cameras arranged vertically, with the first located a few millimeters below the device’s top left corner. The Pixel Fold will also have three rear cameras; however, Google will arrange them horizontally several millimeters from the top of the device, just like they did with the Pixel 7.
Screen Size and Resolution
The Samsung Galaxy Fold and Google Pixel Fold have two screens. However, information about the screen size and resolutions on the Pixel Fold is scant and speculative at the moment. Current reports indicate the Pixel Fold will have a 5.8” outer screen and a 7.6” inner screen, with the latter expected to have a resolution of 1,840 x 2,208p.
The Samsung Galaxy Fold has a 6.2” outer screen though its actual size is 6.1” when accounting for the rounded corners. The inner screen measures 7.6” but accounting for the rounded corners reduces the size to 7.4”. Regarding screen resolution, the Galaxy Fold’s outer screen is an HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 2,316 x 904p resolution, while its inner screen is a QXGA+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X main screen with a 2,176 x 1,812p resolution. Lastly, the Galaxy Fold’s outer screen has a pixel density of 402 PPI, while the inner screen has a pixel density of 374 PPI.
Processor
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 has the most advanced processor of any Samsung mobile device, the 4nm 64-bit octa-core Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor. The processor consists of one 3.18GHz core, three 2.7GHz cores, and four 2.0GHz cores. It also has an Adreno 730 graphics processing unit (GPU). On the other hand, the Google Pixel Fold could have one of two processor options depending on its launch date. If the Pixel Fold has a release date in early 2023, it will likely have a Google Tensor G2 processor, which consists of two 2.85GHz Cortex X1 cores, two 2.35GHz Cortex A78 cores, and four 1.80GHz Cortex A55 cores. The processor also has a Mali-G710 MP7 GPU. Alternatively, if the Pixel Fold has a late 2023 release date, it will likely have a Google Tensor G3 processor like the upcoming Google Pixel 8 phone.
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Release Date
Samsung has a significant headstart over Google regarding manufacturing foldable phones. The company released its first foldable phone prototype, the Samsung Galaxy X, in 2018. Based on feedback about the Galaxy X, Samsung modified and renamed the phone before releasing its first official foldable phone, the Galaxy Fold, in February 2019. Since 2019, Samsung has released three more foldable phones in the Galaxy Z Fold series. The company made significant modifications to each subsequent version, culminating in the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 released in August 2022.
On the other hand, Google is yet to release a foldable phone. However, there has been speculation surrounding Google’s first foldable phone since 2021. Many reporters and insiders in the technology industry expected Google to release the Pixel Fold in 2021 alongside the Google Pixel 6, which did not happen. The reporters and industry insiders held onto their expectations, hoping to realize them in 2022 alongside the release of the Google Pixel 7, only to be disappointed again. However, recently, more media outlets are reporting leaks from within Google stating the company expects to release the Google Pixel Fold in 2023.
Based on the leaks, the most likely release date is May 2023 because Google has hosted a developer conference called Google I/O in May of every year since 2018. Some of the devices previewed at the 2022 Google I/O included the Pixel 7 and the Pixel Watch, which Google later released in October 2022. Therefore, consumers and tech enthusiasts should look forward to 2023’s Google I/O.
Price and Availability
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 and the Google Pixel Fold are premium, high-end devices; thus, it should be no surprise that they are pretty pricey and outside the purchase bracket of most consumers. At its release in August 2022, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 had the following release prices based on storage capacity:
- 256GB – $1,799
- 512GB – $1,919
- 1TB – $2,159
Given that Google is yet to officially announce the Pixel Fold, there is no official price for the device. However, you can determine the starting price based on historical trends. For instance, Google released their flagship Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro at lower prices than Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S22 and S22+. Google looked to attract more consumers to its product by offering a device with high-quality specs at a lower price than its primary competitor, Samsung. Therefore, Google might try and poach Galaxy Z Fold 4 customers by offering the Pixel Pro at a lower price. Offering lower prices may help Google gain market share in the foldable phone market after arriving late to the scene.
Ideally, that would put the Pixel Fold at several hundred dollars cheaper. Alternatively, given how long Google took to develop the Pixel Fold, the company might want to recoup some of that expenditure by offering the Pixel Fold at a price similar to the Galaxy Fold. Consumers can expect the standard Google Pixel Fold to retail at between $1,400 and $1,900.
Regarding availability, Samsung has a footprint in most countries and territories worldwide. Consumers can find the Galaxy Fold in over 100 countries and territories. However, Google does not have a good track record in availing its premium devices globally. Google’s flagship Pixel phones were initially only available in the United States and Japan. However, later models were available in the United States, Canada, some European countries like the UK and France, Japan, India, and Singapore. As such, consumers should not expect Google to market the Pixel Fold outside of the company’s traditional target markets.
Miscellaneous
Numerous other specifications about the Google Pixel Fold remain unknown, like the battery capacity, charging methods, and storage space. However, one could make an educated guess on which direction Google will take. For instance, one can assume the Google Pixel Fold will have 12GB RAM, just like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4. Consumers can also expect the Google Pixel Fold’s outer screen to have an LTPO AMOLED display like the Google Pixel 7 compared to the FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X Infinity-O display on the Galaxy Fold’s external screen. However, for some specifications, it would be more prudent to wait for more information. For example, it can be challenging to definitively state the dimensions and weight of the unreleased Pixel Fold and its camera details.
Pixel Fold vs. Galaxy Fold: 5 Must-Know Facts
- The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4’s stereo speakers have surround sound with Dolby Atmos technology.
- The Galaxy Fold has biometric technology like fingerprint and face recognition.
- Google released Android 13 in August 2022, and it might be the operating system running the Pixel Fold.
- The Galaxy Z Fold 4 will have the most advanced processors of all Samsung models ever released.
- The Pixel Fold will have a smaller viewing field than its Galaxy counterpart when folded.
- Take notes while on a conference call or watching a video
- Hands-free video chat allows you to multitask
- Open multiple windows when working
- Customize how apps display on your phone
Pixel Fold vs. Galaxy Fold: Which One is Better?
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 is currently better than the Google Pixel Fold. That is mainly because the Galaxy Fold is already available for purchase, meaning one can scrutinize its specifications, unlike the Google Pixel Fold, which is still in development.
However, one should not wholly discount the Google Pixel Fold. Google has spent considerable time and money developing and perfecting the Pixel Fold to ensure it establishes a substantial market share upon release. Therefore, we all have to wait for the release of the Pixel Fold to make a definitive decision.
