Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold vs Z Fold 6: Which is Better?

Both the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold and the Samsung Z Fold 6 were released in 2024, adding to the ever-growing foldable phone market. Folding devices have dual screens, large displays, a flexible hinge, and are designed to work like tablets – but in a more compact mobile device form.

Samsung’s is the sixth generation in their Z Fold lineup, which has seen a whole host of performance and style improvements over its 6 years of existence. In contrast, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is Google’s recreation of the original Pixel Fold, but rebranded to fit into the wider Pixel series. 

At $1,799, or $100 more for the Z Fold 6, these foldables are certainly a greater investment compared to the Standard Pixel Pro and Galaxy Z models. So, are they worth it, and which one is better? Or should you wait another year for Apple’s rumored folding iPhone?

We’ll cover everything you need to know about both devices in this article, from design and display to camera systems, to help you make the right choice.

Technical Specs

Design

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is a book-style foldable phone with rounded corners, while the Z Fold 6’s sharper edges and narrow cover screen make it easier to use one-handed. The Pixel is also slightly bigger and heavier, weighing 257 grams vs 239 grams, though this is somewhat unnoticeable when holding both phones in your hand.

Both devices are pretty similar when it comes to durability. Folding phones are generally more prone to breakage due to their larger screens and delicate hinge mechanisms – something that both Google and Samsung have considered with their latest devices.

The Pixel Fold and Z Fold both use Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and back. As Corning’s strongest material yet, this is better built to survive drops on rougher surfaces like concrete. But where the Z Fold 6 comes out on top is with its dust resistance rating, offering significant improvements from the previous generation.

This model is rated IP48, which defends it from moisture and dust particles 1mm or larger in size, while the Google device only delivers water resistance.

Displays

When it comes to their 6.3-inch outer displays, the 9 Pro Fold is slightly brighter, with a peak brightness of 2700 nits versus 2600 nits.

It’s also sharper, with a higher resolution, although the Z Fold 6 has a larger adaptive refresh rate range: between 1 Hz and 120 Hz, compared to 60 Hz and 120 Hz. This ensures the display adapts better to different types of content, providing a clearer picture while optimizing battery life.

Both internal screens also use OLED technology, although the Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s is larger at 8 inches and offers a higher resolution. But what’s great about the Samsung display is that it can be used with the S Pen stylus for taking notes or drawing. Google currently doesn’t offer a stylus option, which is a drawback for this tablet-style device.

Camera Systems

The Galaxy Z Fold 6 features a vertically stacked camera setup, with 50 MP Main, 12 MP Ultra-wide, and 10 MP Telephoto lenses. Together with the dual selfie front lenses, these offer a similar quality to what you’d find in the flagship Galaxy S range.

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold has lenses with a slightly lower resolution, including a 48 MP Main and 10.5 MP Ultra-wide, plus a 10.8 MP Telephoto. These are housed horizontally on a large bump at the back of the phone.

Something that both devices share, however, is that they have most of the same camera specs as last year’s models, while the rest of their generation received upgraded setups.

Performance

A huge benefit of both folding phones is that they feature new chipsets. Google’s is designed specifically to run the company’s most advanced AI models, while Samsung’s focuses more on performance.

The Google Tensor G4 chip is the first processor to support Gemini Nano, which helps the entire Pixel 9 range interpret text, audio, and images. This adds new AI features such as Pixel Screenshots and Call Notes, while also improving performance by 20% – although most of the power lies in its AI processing.

Samsung’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset offers a 30% performance improvement from the previous model, plus 20% upgraded power efficiency. Combined with a large 4400 mAh battery capacity, this contributes an impressive 23 hours of video and 77 hours of audio playback to the Z Fold 6.

It also delivers a 98% faster performance for Galaxy AI, Samsung’s personal artificial intelligence platform. This software includes a variety of new productivity and generative AI features, from Circle to Search and Note Assist to Portrait Studio, which aren’t quite as advanced as Google’s Gemini.

Our Verdict: Which Folding Phone is Best?

As only the second installment of Google’s foldable phone lineup, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold has seen some bigger changes, while the Z Fold 6 features a few more subtle tweaks from the previous generation. These updates are certainly challenging Samsung’s device, particularly with the brighter display and Google Tensor G4 chip.

For impressive creativity and AI features on a larger display, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold wins. But if you’d prefer a smaller, narrower external screen, the Z Fold 6 is the best choice for you.

Both are great options in terms of camera quality. However, if you’re looking for the best phone for photography, you may want to go with one of the standard models instead, like the Pixel 9 Pro or Galaxy S Ultra range.

The foldable phone you choose should ultimately depend on what you’re looking for in a phone. Despite this, we can’t deny the durability and performance improvements of the Z Fold 6, which is why this device is the overall winner for us.