Why You Can Trust CNET Galaxy Z Fold 5 vs. Pixel Fold: How Samsung and Google's Foldables Compare
Both phones cost $1,800 and fold in half, but there are plenty of differences, too.
The Galaxy Z Fold 5 has a new hinge that allows it to close completely shut like the Pixel Fold.
With the new Galaxy Z Fold 5 and recently launched Pixel Fold, Samsung and Google are both trying to combine the phone and tablet experience. But that convenience comes at a sky-high price of $1,800, which is more expensive than buying a phone and a tablet separately in most situations.
Despite their similarities in price and shape, Samsung and Google's approaches differ slightly. Samsung has given the Z Fold 5 a skinnier cover display that's easier to use with one hand but feels less like a regular phone when closed. Google's Pixel Fold has a wider cover screen that makes apps look more natural, but the internal tablet-size screen didn't look as immersive or bright as Samsung's in my testing.
Read more: Samsung Unpacked: Everything You Need to Know
Otherwise, both devices run on the same new processors found in other premium phones in each company's lineup. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 has the same custom Qualcomm chip as the Galaxy S23 series, while the Pixel Fold has the Pixel 7 family's Tensor G2 processor. The cameras on each phone are a step down from those found on Galaxy S23 Ultra or Pixel 7 Pro, but still fall into what's typically expected of a high-end phone.
Since they both cost the same, the biggest factor to consider when deciding between the two comes down to display preferences. If you'd rather have a wider cover screen and a design that feels more like a notebook when closed, the Pixel Fold might be the better choice. Although I haven't tested the Galaxy Z Fold 5 extensively yet, the Galaxy Z Fold 4's internal screen looked sleeker and more enveloping than the Pixel Fold's, thanks to its slimmer borders.
We'll have more advice once we've had a chance to review the Galaxy Z Fold 5. But in the meantime, check out the table below to see how the two phones compare on paper.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 specs vs. Google Pixel Fold
| Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 | Google Pixel Fold | |
| Display size, tech, resolution, refresh rate, brightness | Cover: 6.2-inch AMOLED (2,316 x 904 pixels), 1-120Hz; internal: 7.6-inch AMOLED (2,176 x 1,812 pixels), 1-120Hz | Cover: 5.8-inch (2,092 x 1,080 pixels) 60-120 Hz; internal: 7.6-inch OLED (2,208 x 1,840 pixels) |
| Pixel density | Cover: 402 ppi; internal: 374 ppi | Cover: 408 ppi; internal: 380 ppi |
| Dimensions (inches) | Open: 6.1 x 5.11 x 0.24 in.; closed: 6.1 x 2.64 x 0.53 in. | Open: 5.5 x 6.2 x 0.2 in.; closed: 5.5 x 3.1 x 0.5 in. |
| Dimensions (millimeters) | Open: 154.94 x 129.79 x 6.1 mm; closed: 154.94 x 67.06 x 13.46 mm | Closed: 139.7 x 79.5 x 12.1 mm; closed: 139.7 x 158.7 x 5.8 mm |
| Weight (grams, ounces) | 253 g (8.92 oz.) | 283 g (9.98 oz.) |
| Mobile software | Android 13 | Android 13 |
| Camera | 50-megapixel (main), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 10-megapixel (telephoto) | 48-megapixel (main), 10.8-megapixel (ultrawide), 10.8-megapixel (telephoto) |
| Front-facing camera | 4-megapixel (under display); 10-megapixel (cover screen) | 8-megapixel (inner screen); 9.5-megapixel (cover screen) |
| Video capture | TBD | 4K |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Tensor G2 |
| RAM/storage | 12GB + 256GB/512GB/1TB | 12GB + 256GB, 12GB + 512GB (US, UK, Germany) |
| Expandable storage | None | None |
| Battery | 4,400 mAh (dual-battery) | 4,821 mAh |
| Fingerprint sensor | Side | Side |
| Connector | USB-C | USB-C |
| Headphone jack | None | None |
| Special features | 5G-enabled, IPX8 water resistance, S Pen support, 25W wired charging, wireless charging, wireless power share, triple SIM | 5G (mmw/Sub6), IPX8 rating, 5x optical zoom, dual SIM, estimated 24-33 hours battery life |
| US price off-contract | $1,800 | $1,799 |
| UK price | £1,749 | £1,749 |
| Australia price | AU$2,559 | Converts to AU$3,340 |
