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Foldable and flipping devices are the newest trends in the smartphone market. Most high-end options come down to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold and Flip lines, but other brands follow suit with their own foldable devices. One of them is Google which, according to rumors, will announce the Pixel Fold soon. How does it compare to Samsung’s phones? Our detailed Pixel Fold vs. Z Flip 3 comparison will provide you with the answer.
Pixel Fold Vs. Z Flip 3: Side-by-Side Comparison
Comparing a product hundreds of users have tried and tested with one that hasn’t even been announced isn’t truly fair. Yet, Google likes to pique interest by holding onto information – the brand did the same before launching the first Pixel phones. Leaks and an alleged dummy model show what we can expect from Pixel Fold, which we’ll use in this side-by-side with the Z Flip 3.
| Specs | Pixel Fold | Z Flip 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile network | 5G | 5G |
| Cover display size | 5.8” | 1.9” |
| Inner display size | 7.7” | 6.7” |
| Display type | AMOLED | Dynamic AMOLED |
| Chipset | Tensor G2 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 |
| RAM | 12GB | 8GB |
| Internal storage | 128GB | 128GB, 256GB |
| Primary camera | 64MP | 12MP |
| Front camera | 8MP | 10MP |
| Software | Android 13 | Android 11 |
| Battery capacity | 5000mAh | 3300mAh |
| Price | More expensive | Less expensive |
| Release date | July-September 2023 (expected) | 27 August 2021 |
Pixel Fold Vs. Z Flip 3: What’s the Difference?
- A compact design that folds open
- Fast charging
- You can view notifications and check the weather on the external screen
- Allows you to launch two apps simultaneously
Pixel Fold and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 come with foldable displays, but that’s the only similarity from a visual standpoint. The former is a foldable smartphone that opens up into a tablet-like device. The latter is a flip phone that becomes compact when closed. It’s about the size of a Galaxy S phone when flipped open. Beyond the visuals, here’s a detailed comparison between the two devices.
Design
Aesthetics is crucial when choosing a smartphone, and the Z Flip 3 doesn’t disappoint. On its launch in 2021, this device was praised for its elegant lines and sophisticated colors. Users could choose from four standard colors. Samsung’s Z Flip 3 is available in four colors; phantom black, cream, green, and lavender. But you don’t have to settle for the standard. You can customize the device or order a limited edition color.
Aside from the bespoke and standard editions, Samsung also provides exclusive online colors to customers who order from their website. For the Z Flip 3, these options include gray, white, and pink.
Overall, the Flip 3 design is smooth, but you may not like that it doesn’t close completely flush. Apparently, this is a natural phenomenon of folding devices, and should disappear or at least diminish with use. Yet, you’ll get less of a gap from foldable phones, including the Z Fold.
Design-wise, Pixel Fold is expected to look like a hybrid between Pixel 7 Pro and Samsung Fold. Its comparison to Samsung’s foldable device is purely the result of Samsung being the leader of the foldable smartphone market. In reality, Pixel Fold’s design is closely related to the OPPO Find N2 in design. The multi-access hinge allowing both screens to rest completely flush with one another. However, considering the Pixel phones have less refined aesthetics compared to Samsung’s, the Z Flip 3 will likely look nicer.
Chipset
With regards to power and responsiveness, Pixel Fold seems to have the upper hand. Rumor has it that this phone will come with a Tensor G2 chipset with integrated graphics and a CPU that supports up to 12GB of RAM. In reality, however, the Z Flip 3 has a better processor.
Samsung’s phone is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888. Despite being over 12 months older than the Tensor G2, the Snapdragon 888 has a superior benchmark score and is more in line with Apple’s A15 Bionic. This chipset delivers improved performance, and larger shared AI memory than its predecessors, delivering stamina and speed for even the most demanding applications or photo processing.
Google’s Tensor G2’s biggest upgrade is the GPU department. This chipset is also capable of processing photos and videos and provides sufficient power for gaming. However, processes are generally less fluid compared to Qualcomm.
Display
We don’t expect to see much difference between the Pixel Fold and Z Flip 3 in terms of display quality. If the rumors are true, Pixel Fold will use a Samsung-made flexible display. The biggest unknown is whether this will be the same display type in the Z series or a standard Dynamic AMOLED.
Leaks about Google’s foldable phone only refer to the display as AMOLED. Samsung Z Flip 3 uses a Dynamic AMOLED 2X display that comes with significant improvements in terms of color accuracy, brightness, and HDR performance.
A sure difference between the two devices is the display size. It goes without saying that Pixel Fold wins this round if you’re looking for the largest screen. The exterior display is rumored to measure 5.8 inches, slightly smaller than the Samsung Fold. However, at 7.7 inches, the interior display is larger than Samsung Fold’s display and allows a tablet-like use in landscape mode. It isn’t clear whether the Pixel Fold will have stylus pen support.
The Z Flip 3 features a tiny external screen, a big improvement compared to the Z Flip. This display measures 1.9 inches and comes with Gorilla Glass Victus protection. The internal display features a 6.7-inch diagonal that isn’t that small compared to the Pixel Fold. This handset doesn’t support Samsung’s S Pen or S Pen Pro.
Camera
While we can’t tell for sure what camera the Pixel Fold will have, it’ll likely be better than Z Flip 3. That’s because the Galaxy Z Flip 3 features a dual 12MP camera which is inferior to almost all camera types seen in last-generation phones – except for the Z Flip 4, which has a similar camera setup.
By comparison, the Pixel 7 Pro features a primary camera of 50MP. Allegedly, Pixel Fold will have an even more powerful camera of 64MP. Differences exist between the selfie cam, too. The Z Flip 3 features a 10MP one. If rumors are true, the Pixel Fold’s selfie cam will have 20MP.
Sure, the Z Flip 3 can still capture satisfactory images and record videos in 4K UHD resolution at 30fps and 60fps. However, the Pixel Fold is expected to deliver more than that.
Battery
A disappointing feature of Samsung’s Z Flip 3 is the battery life. This phone comes with a 3300mAh built-in battery which is way smaller than the average for Android phones. You can expect around five hours of use in adaptive mode at a 120Hz refresh rate. Battery life shows some improvement in battery save mode (60Hz refresh rate), providing slightly over six hours. However, you won’t be able to enjoy a full day without recharging.
The Pixel Fold should come with a 5000mAh battery that won’t have problems delivering a full day of juice. It is also likely that this phone – the same as the Z Flip 3 – will come with a fast charging option. The Z Flip 3 is compatible with a fast charger and a standard 10W charger that can take the battery from drained to 100 percent in about two hours. The Z Flip 3 comes with wireless charging too, but it’s unclear whether this will be an option on the Pixel Fold.
Memory
Pixel Fold and Samsung Z Flip 3 come with internal storage and no SD slot. Since expanding the memory isn’t an option, Samsung allows users to choose between 128GB or 256GB of internal storage space. The latter choice is more expensive but worth it if you like to capture lots of photos and don’t want to sync the device with cloud storage space.
Rumors so far only speak about 128GB of internal storage on the Pixel Fold. This would be quite limiting, and Google will likely launch at least a 256GB version, too. The Pixel 7 Pro, for instance, comes in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB variants.
Price
When shopping, the deciding factor between the Pixel Fold and Z Flip 3 could be the price. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 was the first “cheap” foldable phone on the market. On launch in 2021, the device’s price was just under $1,000. Today, a new Z Flip 3 will cost you around $745. Refurbished Z Flip 3 phones are also available from various sellers and even directly from the manufacturer; such an option can save you about half the purchase cost of the new phone.
If the rumors are true, the Pixel Fold will cost around $1,799. That’s about the same price that Samsung charged for its latest Galaxy Z Fold 4, but a lot higher than other Pixel devices. We can’t say whether it’s worth it without knowing the full specs and features.
Pixel Fold Vs. Z Flip 3: 5 Must-Know Facts
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 was launched in August 2021 and became the first “cheap” foldable phone on the market.
- The Z Flip 3 comes in standard and bespoke color options. An exclusive online edition allows users to choose from even more hues.
- Upon its launch, Google Pixel Fold will become Google’s first foldable phone. Rumors have been heard for a while, but the company hasn’t yet confirmed whether this phone will become a reality in 2023 or ever.
- The Pixel Fold will feature a more capable camera if rumors are true. However, the chipset is inferior to that of the Z Flip 3.
- One major drawback of the Z Flip 3 is the poor battery life. Rumors say the Pixel Fold will have a higher-capacity battery.
Pixel Fold Vs. Z Flip 3: Which One Is Better?
Foldable phones are fashionable, and you may be tempted to wait for the Pixel Fold to upgrade. Unfortunately, Google never confirmed the rumors, and it’s not clear whether the Pixel Fold will ever become a reality.
Meanwhile, the Z Flip 3 is a real, tried and tested option that you can get right now. It might not be the perfect phone, but it is the most affordable foldable handset from Samsung. You can even find it in refurbished packages if you would like to give it a try. Until the Pixel Fold arrives, it remains the better option.
- A compact design that folds open
- Fast charging
- You can view notifications and check the weather on the external screen
- Allows you to launch two apps simultaneously
