Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
Priced at $1,288 on Amazon – $1,799.99 on Amazon – $1,799.99 on Amazon – The Z Fold 5 by Samsung emerges as a successor to the Z Fold 4, presenting a flatter and lighter profile while retaining the familiar foldable design.
Advantages:
- Boasts a flat folding feature
- Slimmer and lighter build
- Enhanced speed and responsiveness
Disadvantages:
- Narrower cover screen
- Unchanged camera system
- S Pen inclusion recommended
Google Pixel Fold
Available for $1,288 on Amazon – Priced at $1,799.99 on Amazon – $1,799.99 on Amazon – The Google Pixel Fold stands out as a versatile device, seamlessly transitioning between a robust smartphone and a compact tablet.
Pros:
- Uncompromising front screen
- Impressive build quality
- Large and appealing display
- Outstanding camera performance
Cons:
- Noticeable bezel around a tablet screen
- Requires slight pressure to lay flat
- Pricing necessitates clarification
Google Pixel Fold has entered the scene, becoming a robust rival to Samsung’s full-sized foldable market. Yet, can the newly launched Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 swiftly regain its lead?
For detailed insights, refer to our complete evaluations in the Google Pixel Fold review and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 review. In this piece, we directly compare the two devices.
Here, we present side-by-side assessments of their specs, designs, displays, cameras, chipsets, and prices. In conclusion, we provide additional insights to aid your choice between these flagship foldables.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 vs. Google Pixel Fold: Comparing Specifications
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Google Pixel Fold Specifications:
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 | Google Pixel Fold |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 7.6-inch OLED / 6.2-inch OLED | 7.6-inch OLED / 5.8-inch OLED |
| Resolution | 1812 x 2176 pixels / 904 x 2316 pixels | 1840 x 2208 pixels / 1080 x 2092 pixels |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Google Tensor G2 |
| Rear Cameras | 50MP wide, 12MP ultra-wide, 10MP telephoto w/ 3x optical zoom | 48MP wide, 10.8MP ultra-wide, 10.8MP telephoto w/ 3x optical zoom |
| Front Camera | 10MP and 4MP | 8MP and 9.5MP |
| RAM | 12GB | 12GB |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 256GB, 512GB |
| Battery | 4,400mAh | 4,821mAh |
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 vs. Google Pixel Fold: Price and Availability
Google’s Pixel Fold began shipping on June 27, 2023. The pricing commences at $1,799 / £1,749 (approximately AU$2,655) for the 256GB variant, while the 512GB option is priced at $1,919 / £1,869 (around AU$2,835).
As for the Galaxy Z Fold 5, it was announced in July and fully launched on August 11. The cost is $1,799.99 / £1,649 / AU$2,599 for 256GB storage, $1,919.99 / £1,869 / AU$2,799 for 512GB, and $2,159.99 / £2,049 / AU$3,149 for 1TB.
In simpler terms, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 hits almost the same price points as the Pixel Fold. Round one ends in a tie.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 vs. Google Pixel Fold: Design
These two full-sized foldables feature expansive, 7.6-inch square-ish displays, yet their design nuances are distinct.
When shut, the Pixel Fold resembles a ‘normal’ phone, with an external display similar in aspect ratio to non-foldable phones. Samsung’s approach makes the external display taller and thinner, a trend seen in the Fold 5.
The driving force behind these divergent strategies is the internal display. Samsung opts for a slightly taller-than-wide fully extended screen, while Google takes the opposite route. Many prefer Google’s approach, akin to larger screens in general usage.
Google’s foldable is a mere 12.1mm thin when closed, achieved via a smart hinge allowing flat closure and thinner halves (5.8mm) through wider bezels for component distribution.
Samsung maintains its method of slightly thicker foldables with slimmer bezels. The Fold 5 is a tad thinner than its predecessor, yet doesn’t match the Pixel Fold. However, it’s 30g lighter, weighing 254g against the 283g of the Pixel Fold.
Samsung introduces a new waterdrop hinge allowing the Fold 5 to close flat, although the screen crease remains visible.
Both Samsung and the Pixel Fold boast an IPX8 rating, signifying water resistance but not dust resistance.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 vs. Google Pixel Fold: Display
These foldable manufacturers approach their displays differently, as previously mentioned.
The Fold 5 features a uniquely tall and slim 6.2-inch OLED external screen, boasting 2316 x 904 resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. In contrast, the Pixel Fold opts for a more conventional 5.8-inch OLED screen with 2092 x 1080 resolution, making it wider and shorter, akin to a regular phone when closed.
Internally, both phones sport 7.6-inch 120Hz OLEDs. The Pixel Fold’s 1840 x 2208 resolution suits landscape content, while the Fold 5’s 2176 x 1812 resolution stands taller.
With brightness, the Pixel Fold achieves 1,450 nits, an improvement from last year’s Fold 4 at 1,200 nits. Meanwhile, Samsung enhances brightness significantly to 1,750 nits, more than 30% higher than the Fold 4.
Both foldables are highly flexible, allowing varied display use. Samsung’s UI maximizes the large screen’s productivity potential, facilitating multitasking with side-by-side app usage.
In summary, Google’s screen alignment has an advantage, while the Fold 5’s established foldable UI leverages its screens effectively.
An appealing feature of the Fold 5 is S Pen support, which allows stylus use for enhanced creativity and productivity on the large screen. While bundling it with every Fold 5 would be beneficial, Samsung faces the challenge of deciding its placement.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 vs. Google Pixel Fold: Cameras
Camera quality might not be the foremost concern with foldables, but in a direct comparison, both excel.
Regarding the Pixel Fold, its triple-camera system earns an ‘overall excellent’ rating. Google’s image processing makes the 48MP main sensor capture vivid, crisp shots in various conditions. The 10.8MP ultra-wide and 10.8MP 5x telephoto lenses handle alternative angles adeptly.
Meanwhile, the Fold 5’s camera system mirrors the Fold 4’s. With a 50MP wide, a 12MP ultra-wide, and a 10MP 3x telephoto camera, it produces ‘lovely (if slightly over-saturated) imagery’ as we reviewed. Portrait shots are particularly impressive.
Overall, we slightly favor the Pixel Fold’s camera setup, especially due to its 5x optical zoom versus Samsung’s 3x. Although Samsung emphasizes the 30x space zoom, photos using this digital enhancement often lack detail upon closer inspection. Some images are a blend of real and AI-processed elements.
Selfie cameras differ on each phone: Pixel Fold has a conventional front camera, while Samsung employs a 4MP under-display solution. Despite looking appealing, Samsung’s option isn’t ideal for quality selfies.
Both phones also include selfie cameras for external displays. However, the foldable design allows primary cameras to function as selfie cameras.
Google Pixel Fold vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5: Performance
Google’s Pixel Fold houses the Tensor G2 chip, also found in the Pixel 7 series. It’s capable, yet outshone by the Fold 5’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor.
We’ve extensively used both chips across multiple phones. While the hands-on experience is similar, Qualcomm’s chip excels in benchmarks and demanding games.
Google claims Tensor G2’s strength lies in AI and machine learning applications. The Pixel Fold showcases marvelous capabilities like live transcription and Magic Eraser for photobomber removal.
However, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 prevails in raw performance. Notably, the Pixel Fold lags behind even the Galaxy Z Fold 4 with its older Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chip.
The Galaxy Z Fold 5 matches Pixel Fold’s 12GB RAM. Storage-wise, Pixel Fold offers 128GB and 512GB options. Galaxy Z Fold 5 offers those and an additional 1TB variant for a premium choice, favoring Samsung.
Earlier, we discussed software distinctions between Google and Samsung foldables. Samsung better serves power users through five foldable generations, while Google’s software is more intuitive and visually pleasing.
For the Pixel Fold, Google rebuilt core apps like Maps, Gmail, Photos, Home, and Drive. While multitasking is easy, it limits to two apps side by side, underutilizing the space. Samsung prioritizes productivity.
Google Pixel Fold vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5: Battery
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 houses a 4,400mAh battery like the Fold 4, notably smaller than the Pixel Fold’s 4,821mAh cell. This contributes to the latter’s higher weight.
Resultantly, our Pixel Fold usage showcased solid endurance, with around 15 hours between charges, offering all-day battery life. In comparison, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 managed 13 hours.
The Galaxy Z Fold 5’s superior processor allowed a Pixel Fold-comparable 15 hours of usage. Despite a smaller battery, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 exhibits equally robust battery life.
Both the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Pixel Fold support wired and wireless charging. Regrettably, charging is sluggish in both cases. Last year’s Fold 4 achieved 25W wired charging, and the Galaxy Z Fold 5 follows suit. The Pixel Fold’s maximum charging speed remains undisclosed by Google.
Google Pixel Fold vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5: Final Thoughts
In a direct comparison, the Pixel Fold surpasses last year’s Galaxy Z Fold 4, excelling in camera and preferred design.
Yet, for us, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 reclaims the lead. As we emphasized in our review, “Google Pixel Fold has a superior cover display, but Samsung’s Z Fold 5 offers a more refined foldable experience. When unfolded, the main screen trims bezels for an expansive display.”
The competition remains tight. Pixel Fold ranks among the best foldables, with objectively better camera hardware. However, Galaxy Z Fold 5 triumphs in speed, portability, and main screen finesse.
Samsung’s latest foldable is a more potent productivity tool, featuring advanced multitasking-friendly UI and S Pen support.
Kudos to Samsung for regaining the throne. Yet, Google firmly enters the flagship foldable arena, delivering impressive tech. Opting for a more reasonably priced Pixel Fold provides exceptional mobile value.
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