The Pixel 11 Pro Fold vs Galaxy Z Fold 8 decision is unusually clean at the checkout page: both book-style foldables start at $1,900. Google has now announced its new Pixel, and the meaningful differences are physical rather than cosmetic. The Pixel brings larger displays, a dedicated telephoto camera and an IP68 rating. Samsung’s standard Z Fold 8 is markedly lighter, folds slightly thinner and charges faster over a cable, according to comparisons by The Verge and Engadget.
Keep the names straight. This comparison concerns Samsung’s standard Galaxy Z Fold 8, not the separately sold Z Fold 8 Ultra. The standard model uses two rear cameras, and its dimensions and display sizes differ from the Ultra’s.
Which foldable is easier to carry and use closed?
The Pixel measures 155.2 by 76 by 10.1 mm when folded and weighs 239 grams. Samsung’s Z Fold 8 measures 123.9 by 81.9 by 9.7 mm folded and weighs 201 grams. On those figures, the Samsung is 38 grams lighter and 0.4 mm thinner when closed. Its cover display is smaller, though: a 5.5-inch OLED, compared with the Pixel’s 6.5-inch outer OLED.
Open them and Google retains the size advantage, with an 8-inch inner OLED against Samsung’s 7.6-inch panel. Both phones support adaptive refresh rates from 1Hz to 120Hz, The Verge reports. Engadget lists peak brightness at 3,600 nits for the Pixel and 3,000 nits for the Z Fold 8.
Google also added a HiLight notification lamp to the Pixel’s camera bar, which can change color for callers or Gemini interactions, Engadget reports. The Pixel comes in Olive and Obsidian; Samsung lists Lavender, Graphite and Cream, plus online-only Pistachio.
What does IP68 versus IP48 mean on these foldables?
Ingress Protection, or IP, is a rating for resistance to dust and water. The Verge lists the Pixel 11 Pro Fold at IP68 and the Galaxy Z Fold 8 at IP48. That establishes a material difference in the manufacturers’ rated protection, but it does not turn either handset into something to test against the nearest sink or beach.
Inside, Google uses its Tensor G6 chip and supplies 16GB of RAM on every Pixel configuration. Samsung uses Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, with 12GB on 256GB and 512GB versions and 16GB on the 1TB model. Both offer 256GB, 512GB and 1TB storage tiers. Google says the G6 improves power efficiency, browsing and app loading against Tensor G5; those are company comparisons, not independent benchmark results.
How do battery, charging and cameras differ?
Engadget reports a 4,750mAh battery for the Pixel and a 4,800mAh battery for the Z Fold 8. Google rates the Pixel for more than 24 hours of battery life, while Engadget says its own test of the Samsung ran just over 28 hours. Those are not a controlled head-to-head battery result.
- Pixel: 25W wireless charging with Pixelsnap chargers and 30W wired charging.
- Galaxy: 20W wireless charging and 45W wired charging.
- Pixel cameras: 48MP wide, 10.5MP ultrawide and 10.8MP telephoto.
- Galaxy cameras: 50MP wide and 50MP ultrawide, with no dedicated telephoto.
Both have 10MP cameras on their cover and inner displays. Samsung offers simultaneous front-and-rear recording and an updated ProVisual Engine that it says reduces image noise. Google’s additions include Magic Capture for automatic cropping and unblurring, and Camera Looks for custom photo grades, Engadget reports.
The Pixel is the better fit for buyers prioritizing a larger outer and inner display, rated ingress protection, telephoto hardware and faster wireless charging. Samsung’s standard Z Fold 8 suits buyers who place more value on a 38-gram weight reduction, a smaller folded body, faster wired charging, a slightly larger rated battery and Snapdragon hardware. Neither side gets to claim a clean sweep from this spec sheet.
This story draws on original reporting from The Verge.
