Google Pixel Fold vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5: Which is the better buy?

Both Samsung and Google launched new book-style folding phones in 2023.

As the name suggests, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 was Samsung’s fifth attempt. But Google made its long-awaited debut with Pixel Fold. Both devices aim to provide users with a unique, flexible smartphone experience, but which is the better choice?

In this comparison, we put them against each other in a battle of key features, helping you make the right decision on your next folding phone.

Differences between the Google Pixel Fold and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 boasts a slimmer and longer design with a tall 6.2in cover screen, in contrast to the Pixel Fold’s 5.8in external display, which is wider.

The Z Fold 5’s cover screen might be bigger, but the Pixel Fold’s front display is actually more practical. Apps function and appear more natural on the Pixel Fold, while the Z Fold 5 is more suitable for quick tasks or some social media consumption. For everything else, it’s better to actually open the phone, something you often don’t need to do on the Pixel Fold.

The Z Fold 5’s taller internal screen means content is displayed in portrait orientation, making it better suited for scrolling through social media or news feeds. But the Pixel Fold’s internal display displays content in landscape by default, so this content can look unusual.

The Pixel Fold also features larger bezels around the internal display, theoretically providing more space for your fingers, but the drawback is that it doesn’t look as sleek when unfolded compared to the Z Fold 5.

In terms of performance, both devices are powered by impressive hardware, but they differ in some crucial aspects.

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 is equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and offers 12GB of RAM, plus storage options of 256G, 512GB, or a substantial 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage, ensuring ample space for your apps and files.

On the other hand, Google’s Pixel Fold comes with the Google Tensor G2 chipset and also packs 12GB of RAM. However, storage options are more limited, with 128GB or 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage. Neither support microSD expansion.

While the Pixel Fold’s chipset is optimised to best take advantage of Google’s software, the Z Fold 5’s Qualcomm chip delivers faster performance across most third-party apps.

In our Geekbench 5 Multi-core test, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 scored 4740 points, leaving the Pixel Fold behind at only 3054 points. If you’re seeking a more powerful device, Samsung’s device is the way to go.

One of the key aspects of any book-style foldable is its multitasking abilities.

On the Z Fold 5, you get a taskbar along the bottom edge, which offers a quick access to all your recent and frequently used apps. It also supports a wide range of multitasking gestures, whether you’re using two apps side-by-side or quickly switching between them.

The Z Fold works with Samsung DeX, too, which lets you connect it to an external display for a desktop-like experience. This is a key advantage when compared to the Pixel Fold.

There’s also a taskbar on the Pixel Fold, but to access it you have to perform a brief swipe up from the bottom. Then it disappears quickly after you use it, so there will always be an extra step to do what you want. While basic multitasking features such as viewing two apps side-by-side are available, it’s not as extensive as on the Z Fold 5.

The Z Fold 5 provides a full day of battery life, though it won’t stretch to two full days. Samsung only includes a USB-C cable in the box, so if you want to charge it at full speed, you’ll need to purchase a 25W power brick separately. This is considered slow by modern standards, and it only charged to 28% in 15 minutes and 56% in 30 minutes.

The Pixel Fold also offers a full day of battery life, although it may require some additional charging in the evening. Google doesn’t include a charger in the box, but can charge at up to 30W if you have the right adapter. It charged from empty to 14% in 15 minutes and reached 28% at 30 minutes, with a linear but somewhat slow progression.

So, while battery life is similar, the Z Fold 5 is the clear winner when it comes to charging speeds.

Both devices feature impressive camera, but it’s the software that makes a real difference.

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 boasts a 50Mp main camera, 10Mp 3x telephoto lens and 12Mp ultra-wide camera. It also includes a 4Mp under-display camera inside and a 10Mp cover camera.

Meanwhile, Google Pixel Fold offers a 48Mp main camera, 10.8Mp ultrawide camera and 10.8Mp 5x telephoto camera. Additionally, it has a 9.5Mp front camera and an 8Mp inner camera, though the latter is above the display here.

The Z Fold 5 retains the same camera hardware as the Z Fold 4, and compared to the Pixel Fold, it lags behind. Both devices can take great photos, but the Pixel Fold, especially with its 5x telephoto lens, will be more appealing to photography enthusiasts. Ultimately, it just takes better photos than the Z Fold 5.

Price & availability

The Pixel Fold is available to buy directly from Google, starting £1,749/$1,799. There’s also a 512GB model at £1,869/$1,919.

You have the choice between the black model, known as Obsidian, or an white version named Porcelain, which is available solely through Google and comes with 256GB of storage. If you opt to buy the Fold from any other retailer, you will receive the black variant.

Here’s where to buy the phone outright:

If you’re in the US, the best contract deals with at least 3GB of data will be shown below.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is available to buy from the Samsung website. Its price starts at £1,749/$1,799 for 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.

For the 512GB variant, you can purchase it for £1,849/$1,919.99, while the 1TB model is available for £2,049/$2,159.99.

Here’s where to buy one outright:

The best contract deals in the US with at least 3GB of data can be found on the Z Fold 5 WhistleOut page.

Here are the best UK contract deals for both phones:

Be sure to check out our guide to the best foldable phones for more alternatives.

Verdict

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 and the Pixel Fold are both expensive folding phones, whether you buy one outright or get it on contract. But when it comes to value for money, there’s a clear winner.

In this comparison the Z Flip 5 wins due to its better overall performance, more and faster storage, longer battery life and faster charging speeds. It may take slightly worse pictures, but for now, Google is behind Samsung’s most recent foldable.

Specs

Google Pixel Fold:

• 5.8in FHD+ 120Hz LTPO OLED
• 7.6in 2208 x 1840 120Hz LTPO OLED
• Google Tensor G2 chipset
• 12GB RAM
• 128/256GB non-expandable UFS 3.1 storage
• 4800mAh battery
• 30W wired charging
• Wireless charging
• 48Mp f/1.7 main camera
• 10.8Mp f/2.2 ultrawide camera.
• 10.8Mp f/3.05 5x telephoto camera
• 9.5Mp f/2.2 front camera
• 8Mp f/2 inner camera
• 5G
• Wi-Fi 6E
• Bluetooth 5.2
• IPX8
• Gorilla Glass Victus (front and rear)
• 140mm x 79.5mm x 12.1mm (5.5 x 3.1 x 0.5in)
• 284g

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5:

• Unfolded: 129.9x 154.9 x 6.1mm
• Folded: 67.1 x 154.9 x 13.4mm
• 253g
• 6.2in 120Hz AMOLED cover display (23.1:9)
• 7.6in 120Hz AMOLED foldable internal display (21.6:18)
• Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on front display and rear
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
• 12GB RAM
• 256GB/512GB/1TB of UFS 4.0 storage
• Rear cameras: 50Mp main f.1.8, 10Mp f/2.4 3x telephoto, 12Mp f/2.2 123-degree ultra-wide
• 4Mp f/1.8 under-display camera
• 10Mp f/2.2 cover camera
• Up to 8K video recording
• 4,400mAh battery with 25W charging
• Side-mounted fingerprint scanner
• Wi-Fi 6E
• Bluetooth 5.3
• 5G
• NFC
• Available in Icy Blue, Phantom Black, Cream, Grey, Blue