The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is Samsung’s best foldable yet, quieting many of the complaints users had about previous versions.
However, the phone is far from perfect, and there’s still room for improvement, leaving an opportunity for upcoming devices like the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold.
If rumors are correct, Google will have several advantages over Samsung’s top foldable.
I’m all for variety, and with OnePlus declining to bring a OnePlus Open 2 to the United States, Samsung and Google are the only two major Android manufacturers left producing book-style foldable phones.
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is impressive, but here’s how Google can wedge its way in with the Pixel 10 Pro Fold.
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The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is Samsung’s best foldable yet, but $2,000 is a lot of money
Thoughts after 48 hours
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold could pack a bigger battery
5,015mAh would do the trick
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 has a slim and stylish design, but one of the consequences was that Samsung didn’t increase the battery capacity for 2025, leaving its flagship foldable with only a 4,400mAh cell.
It’s held up so far in testing, but it’s not a phone I can confidently use for a second day on a single charge.
Google appears to be on track to address this issue with the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, reportedly equipping the device with a 5,015mAh battery.
It’s still not silicon-carbon technology, but if the Tensor G5 is efficient, it should be enough to provide noticeably better battery life versus the Galaxy Z Fold 7.
More screen-on time is essential for a large folding phone, as I want to use the expansive screen real estate I spent all that money on.
Casuals don’t typically buy nearly $2,000 smartphones, and with the added multitasking abilities of devices like the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, I want to be doing more with my phone, not less.
Samsung missed the opportunity to increase the battery size, and Google can take advantage.
An IP68 rating could change foldables
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold would be the first
Samsung and Google have both improved the durability of their foldables over the years. Earlier devices were fragile, and screen failures were more common.
Still, there are reasons to be cautious when it comes to folding phones. I don’t feel comfortable taking them to the beach, and if you work on a dusty job site or outdoors, you should think twice before picking one up.
Google may have a solution. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold is rumored to carry an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. This would be a huge advancement for foldables, and it would eliminate a significant barrier to entry for many buyers.
I have numerous people who, every time a new foldable comes out, tell me they’re interested but are afraid of how fragile the devices are.
An IP68 rating on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold goes a long way to alleviating those fears, and you’ll see more people take a chance on foldables.
More RAM is always welcome
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold will have the advantage
At least Samsung is offering a 16GB RAM variant of the Galaxy Z Fold 7, but it’s most likely to be standard again this year on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold.
Extra RAM is vital for AI functionality, and you’re more likely to get new Google Gemini features for longer than you would on the Galaxy Z Fold 7.
I understand that the Tensor G5 chipset won’t benchmark as well as the Snapdragon 8 Elite, but if Google maintains the same pricing, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold would be cheaper than the Galaxy Z Fold 7.
And, if Google delivers on the promise of better gaming performance from the Tensor G5, I’ll be more than happy with the performance on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold.
Google could also do the funniest thing ever and include some sort of stylus support, but there’s no indication the company has plans to do so.
By most accounts, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 will continue to be the sleeker folding phone, but book-style foldables are designed for productivity, and the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold is set up to do more for longer.
Google can be more competitive than I initially thought
I wasn’t excited by last year’s Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold, and it didn’t appear that the company was making significant advancements for this year’s entry.
However, the few improvements Google makes could be the perfect counterprogramming to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7.
Suppose the Pixel 10 Pro Fold offers a larger battery, enhanced durability, and more RAM than Samsung’s foldable at a lower price. In that case, I’d quickly get more excited about Google’s book-style foldable for 2025.
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