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Uninspired
I will be upfront and say that I do not like what Samsung is doing with its foldables; the Galaxy Z Fold 6 retains the identical design as its predecessor, and which means you continue to get the identical slim cowl display that does not let you do a lot. As somebody who makes use of the quilt display predominantly, the Z Fold 6 is a non-starter for my very own use. That mentioned, Samsung rolled out the same old yearly upgrades: the cellphone is extra highly effective, has higher ingress safety, and comes with a slate of AI options. Nevertheless, the basics are unchanged, and you may must pay a further premium this 12 months — which simply is not price it.
For
- Standout construct high quality
- IP48 ingress safety
- Unbelievable {hardware}
- AI-assisted software program with seven years of updates
In opposition to
- Costlier than final 12 months
- Common battery life
- Cowl display has restricted usability
- Tall and unwieldy to make use of
- Unchanged cameras
Heavy steel
The Pixel Fold is an intriguing system if you’d like a foldable that is not tall and unwieldy. The 5.8-inch cowl display is nice to make use of, and it unfolds to 7.6 inches — the identical dimension because the Galaxy Z Fold 6. The standard of the panels is great, you get one of many strongest digicam packages on this section, and also you get Google’s clear software program with a ton of helpful extras. That mentioned, the Pixel Fold is 54g heavier than Samsung’s providing, it does not fold totally flat, and you’ll’t purchase it in most international markets.
For
- Usable cowl and inside screens
- Wonderful cameras
- IPX8 ingress safety
- Clear software program with loads of distinctive extras
- Nice battery life
In opposition to
- Heavy
- Not as highly effective as Z Fold 6
- Would not fold flat
- Restricted international availability
- Will not get as many software program updates
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 vs. Google Pixel Fold: Design
Samsung does not like altering the design of its units, and that is evident once you check out the Galaxy Z Fold 6. The foldable is a smidgen thinner and taller than its predecessor, however the general design is similar. The one distinction is that the cameras have barely greater rings encircling every module, however apart from that, there isn’t any telling that you just’re utilizing Samsung’s latest-gen foldable.
The opposite key distinction is that the Z Fold 6 is lighter; at 239g, it’s 16g lighter than its predecessor, and you’ll really feel that when utilizing the system. Samsung can also be utilizing the most recent iteration of its Armor Aluminum chassis, and that ought to permit the Z Fold 6 to be resilient in each day use. The hinge is not as clean to articulate because the Magic V2 or different 2024 foldables I’ve used, and it’s fairly stiff.
That mentioned, the addition of IP48 ingress safety provides the Z Fold 6 a definite benefit on this class; most foldables — together with the Pixel Fold — nonetheless have an IPX8 score, and by including mud resistance into the combo, the Z Fold 6 is ready to face up to the weather simply that little higher.
Coming to the Pixel Fold, the foldable is not going to win any design awards, however Google nailed the basics. It’s nice to carry and use (if somewhat broad), and it has the identical caliber of construct high quality because the Z Fold 6. Nevertheless, the Pixel Fold is without doubt one of the heaviest telephones you should buy at present — if not the heaviest general. At 283g, it’s a full 44g heavier than the Z Fold 6.
The most important difficulty with the design of the Pixel Fold is that it does not fold totally flat, and that will get annoying in each day use. The Z Fold 6 has no such shortcomings, however the draw back is that the crease remains to be noticeable — rather more so than most different units on this section.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 vs. Google Pixel Fold: Shows
In all measurable metrics, Samsung has the lead on this space; each the inside and outer panels of the Z Fold 6 get brighter than the Pixel Fold, and so they get dynamic refresh that goes to 120Hz. However the issue is that Samsung continues to restrict the usability of the quilt display, and the 6.3-inch outer display is simply too tall and slim to get any significant work executed.
This has been a relentless supply of annoyance previously, and I believed Samsung would amend the scenario with the Z Fold 6, however that wasn’t the case. All different foldables have regular-sized outer panels that offer you larger flexibility on this regard, similar to the Pixel Fold. Though the system has a smaller 5.8-inch panel on the surface, it’s rather more usable due to its 17.4:9 ratio; it is simply higher to make use of to see emails and messaging purchasers.
Each units get the identical 7.6-inch inside display, and the AMOLED panel on Samsung’s providing has higher colours and brightness, making it a terrific alternative for streaming content material and gaming.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 vs. Google Pixel Fold: {Hardware} and cameras
Samsung has a transparent edge relating to the {hardware}, and that is solely all the way down to the usage of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Samsung makes use of a customized model of Qualcomm’s silicon that is reserved for its units, and it has barely increased clocks than the common mannequin.
You get 12GB of RAM and 256GB of UFS 4.0 storage as normal on the Z Fold 6, together with Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, UWB, AptX HD codecs, and USB-C 3.2 connectivity. There is not a lot lacking on this space, and whereas I needed Samsung to extend the battery dimension, the 4400mAh unit ought to final all day with medium use.
Google makes it clear that it does not supply one of the best internals on its units, as an alternative prioritizing AI use circumstances. Consequently, the Tensor G2 on the Pixel Fold is distinctly second-rate, and whereas it’s respectable sufficient in each day use, the shortcomings are noticeable once you begin operating demanding video games.
The Pixel Fold additionally falls behind in different areas; it makes use of UFS 3.1 flash storage, and there isn’t any 1TB choice accessible. The place it does come out forward is battery life, with the 4821mAh battery in a position to ship as much as a day’s price of use constantly. Google additionally has a definite benefit within the imaging aspect of issues, and the Pixel Fold takes excellent images in nearly any state of affairs.
It has a good set of lenses as nicely, and once you add Google’s digicam wizardry, the Pixel Fold stays one of many greatest foldables round on this space. Samsung hasn’t modified a lot with the Z Fold 6, and whereas it makes use of final 12 months’s sensors, tweaks to digicam algorithms permit the system to take higher images in low-light conditions.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 vs. Google Pixel Fold: Software program
I favor Google’s software program, so it should not be astonishing that I like to recommend the Pixel Fold out of those two units. Samsung has lots occurring with One UI 6.1, and Galaxy AI is legitimately helpful — the brand new drawing characteristic is undoubtedly cool. That mentioned, the interface is beginning to get bloated once more, and it simply does not have the fluidity that you just get with most different producers.
That mentioned, Samsung is providing seven Android OS updates with the Z Fold 6, and that is in keeping with what you get on the Galaxy S24 fashions. Whereas Google additionally has the identical replace coverage with the Pixel 8 and eight Professional, the Pixel Fold will solely obtain two further Android updates, and that is a disgrace.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 vs. Google Pixel Fold: Which must you purchase?
Often, I attempt to suggest one of many units I am writing about in these versus posts, however that is laborious to do right here. The issue is that neither system is anyplace near one of the best that this section has to supply. Samsung is basically unchallenged in North America, so it does not must innovate with its foldable designs, and that’s instantly evident when wanting on the Galaxy Z Fold 6.
Chinese language manufacturers supply a lot better {hardware}, sleeker designs, and excellent cameras, however as they do not promote their foldables within the U.S., you are basically left with restricted choices. If you’re involved in a brand new foldable, I would recommend getting the OnePlus Open; it has two usable screens, terrific cameras, nice software program, and stellar battery life. And at $1,699, it undercuts each the Pixel Fold and Z Fold 6.
Out of the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Pixel Fold, I am inclined to suggest the latter; it has higher battery life, and also you get two usable screens. Clearly, the {hardware} is not as highly effective, and at 283g, it’s significantly heavier, however the software program is a lot better general, and also you get higher battery life as nicely.
Uninspired
Samsung has lots to supply with the Z Fold 6, however the $1,899 asking value makes it a non-starter. There simply is not sufficient in the best way of upgrades to warrant that value, and should you will need to have a Samsung foldable, you need to simply get final 12 months’s Galaxy Z Fold 5 as an alternative.
Heavy steel
The Pixel Fold did not have one of the best internals when it debuted a 12 months in the past, and it is not actually one of the best on this space. However you get attractive {hardware}, nice cameras, clear software program with well timed updates, and dependable battery life.
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