Folding smartphones have come a long way since their early iterations, moving from experimental gadgets to practical, everyday devices. The latest releases—the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6—showcase just how far this technology has progressed. In this comparison, we’ll examine how these two devices stack up and highlight the key improvements in foldable phones over the years.
Design & Build: A More Refined Experience One of the biggest improvements in modern foldable phones is their design. Early foldables were often bulky, with noticeable creases and durability concerns. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold takes a bold step forward by offering a more natural phone-like experience when closed, thanks to its optimized aspect ratio and slim profile. Unlike previous foldables that felt too narrow, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold maintains a balanced width, making it more comfortable for everyday use in its folded state.
On the other hand, Samsung continues to refine its Fold lineup with the Galaxy Z Fold 6. It is lighter, slimmer, and more durable than its predecessors, improving on hinge technology to reduce the crease even further. While it still maintains a taller, narrower outer screen, Samsung has optimized the design for better one-handed usability.
Display & Crease Reduction Display quality has always been a major concern for foldable phones, but both Google and Samsung have made significant strides. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold features an almost seamless inner display, with a minimal crease that is barely noticeable during regular use. Google’s advanced OLED panel ensures vibrant colors and deep blacks, making it an excellent choice for media consumption.
Samsung, having years of experience in foldables, continues to refine its Ultra Thin Glass (UTG) technology, resulting in a less noticeable crease than ever before on the Galaxy Z Fold 6. The phone’s dynamic AMOLED display remains one of the best in the industry, offering incredible brightness and refresh rates for a smooth experience.
Software & Usability: Google’s Optimization vs. Samsung’s Refinements A foldable phone is only as good as its software, and both companies have taken different approaches. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold benefits from Google’s deep Android integration, ensuring a fluid and intuitive multitasking experience. Thanks to AI-driven optimizations, app continuity and split-screen functionality feel smoother than ever.
Samsung’s One UI 6 on the Galaxy Z Fold 6 builds upon years of foldable software improvements. The company continues to lead in multi-window support and Flex Mode, allowing users to take full advantage of the large inner display. Samsung’s extensive ecosystem integration with Galaxy tablets and laptops also makes it a strong choice for power users.
Battery Life & Performance Both devices pack the latest flagship chipsets, ensuring top-tier performance. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is powered by Google’s Tensor G3, delivering optimized AI capabilities and improved power efficiency. It excels in camera processing and real-time AI features but may not match Samsung’s raw processing power.
The Galaxy Z Fold 6, featuring Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, offers a noticeable boost in gaming and heavy multitasking performance. Samsung’s software optimizations also ensure that battery life remains competitive, even with a high refresh rate display.
Cameras: Google’s AI Edge vs. Samsung’s Versatility Photography is another area where these two foldables differ. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold leverages Google’s computational photography expertise, delivering exceptional image quality, even in low light. Google’s AI-enhanced post-processing makes it one of the best camera phones, foldable or not.
Samsung, however, maintains its versatile triple-lens setup on the Galaxy Z Fold 6, offering strong zoom capabilities and ultra-wide shots. While Google’s camera software gives the Pixel 9 Pro Fold an edge in overall image quality, Samsung’s flexibility makes it great for those who prefer different shooting perspectives.
Conclusion: Which Foldable Wins? The Pixel 9 Pro Fold stands out for its more natural phone-like feel when closed, AI-driven optimizations, and superior camera software. It’s the best choice for users looking for a traditional smartphone experience in a foldable form.
Meanwhile, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 continues to refine Samsung’s dominance in foldables, offering a polished, feature-packed device with industry-leading multitasking and display quality.
Ultimately, both phones demonstrate how much foldable technology has evolved. Whether you prefer Google’s seamless integration or Samsung’s powerhouse performance, 2025’s foldables prove that the future of smartphones is more exciting than ever.
