Foldable smartphones like the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 feature huge, tablet-sized foldable screens. But a phone that costs nearly $2,000 should also have a good camera.
When it comes to the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and Galaxy Z Fold 6, each device excels in different areas. In my experience, Google was better at capturing detailed scenes such as landscapes, and generally had a more accurate balance of light and color. Zoomed-in photos taken with the Google phone also looked noticeably sharper and with less noise than the Samsung phone. However, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 generally preserved more detail in photos of people and images taken in dark environments.
Both phones have similar camera specs on paper, but megapixels don’t tell the whole story. The size of the sensor and the image processing pipeline inside your phone’s chip also have a big impact on how your photos turn out.
Pixel 9 Pro Fold vs Galaxy Z Fold 6 camera
| Google Pixel 9 Pro folding | samsung galaxy z fold 6 | |
| camera | 48 million pixels (wide), 10.5 million pixels (ultra wide angle), 10.8 million pixels (5x telephoto) | 50 million pixels (wide angle), 12 million pixels (ultra wide angle), 10 million pixels (3x telephoto) |
| selfie camera | 10 million pixels (inner screen), 10 million pixels (cover screen) | 4 million pixels (under display screen), 10 million pixels (cover screen) |
To test each phone, I captured the same image from both phones at the same location and around the same time. The photos below are unedited and were taken with each device’s main wide camera unless otherwise specified. Photos can be subjective. Opinions on what makes a good photo vary depending on your hobbies and preferences. However, my goal is to show you the differences between both phones.
main camera
I preferred the Pixel image in this scenario because the Samsung image made the center of the photo look overexposed. Pixel 9 Pro Fold feels more true to life.
Google Pixel 9 Pro folding
I liked this photo better than the Samsung one. Because the colors and lighting seemed more accurate.
samsung galaxy z fold 6
This photo looks a little overexposed in the center when compared to Google images.
main camera
Here’s another example where the Pixel 9 Pro Fold performed better than Samsung’s phone. The pink flowers look more colorful in this image.
Google Pixel 9 Pro folding
Flower photo taken with Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
samsung galaxy z fold 6
Flower photos taken with Galaxy Z Fold 6
ultra wide
In this scenario, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold took better photos. Samsung’s photo has too much glare from the sun, washing out the left side of the image and obscuring the picturesque Victorian house.
Google Pixel 9 Pro folding
This photo has significantly less glare than the Samsung photo.
samsung galaxy z fold 6
This photo taken with the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is a little too bright.
low light
Samsung was impressed by this image of a bouquet of preserved flowers taken in a dark room. The Galaxy Z Fold 6’s photos are much sharper and crisper than Google’s, but the Pixel’s images are brighter.
Google Pixel 9 Pro folding
This photo is brighter than Samsung’s, but not as sharp.
samsung galaxy z fold 6
Samsung photos are clearer than Google photos.
low light
There’s no denying that the Google photo is brighter, but you can see more detail in Oscar’s fur in the Samsung image.
Google Pixel 9 Pro folding
This photo of my cat Oscar is noticeably brighter than the Samsung photo, but it’s not as detailed.
samsung galaxy z fold 6
This photo of my cat Oscar is a little dark, but contains quite a bit of detail.
Zoom 10x
When it comes to zoomed photos, Google is clearly the winner. Look at how much sharper this photo of this sign at Cape May Winery in New Jersey is compared to Samsung’s photo. Both photos were taken at 10x zoom, but Google’s photo doesn’t look as blurry.
Google Pixel 9 Pro folding
This photo is much clearer than the one taken with my Samsung phone.
samsung galaxy z fold 6
This photo is blurrier than the one taken with Google’s phone.
Zoom 20x
The same goes for this photo taken at 20x zoom. The bricks of the church look sharper, and the Google photos make the scene look clearer overall.
Google Pixel 9 Pro folding
This photo was taken on a Pixel 9 Pro Fold at 20x zoom.
samsung galaxy z fold 6
A 20x magnification photo of the top of a church taken with the Galaxy Z Fold 6.
mixed outdoor lighting
I was surprised at how this photo looked completely different on each phone. I generally thought Google did a better job when it came to landscape and still life photography, but this is one exception. Samsung’s photos are warmer and have more detail, and you can especially notice grains of sand. In comparison, Google’s photos look like they have a blue filter applied to them.
Google Pixel 9 Pro folding
This scene is great after all, but I prefer the warmer tones of Samsung’s image.
samsung galaxy z fold 6
This photo was taken with Galaxy Z Fold 6.
mixed indoor lighting
Google wins here. The old-fashioned cocktail in the photo (left) is more detailed and colorful than Samsung’s. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 seemed to focus on the flowers in the background instead.
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
Photos on the Pixel 9 Pro Fold are brighter and cocktails look sharper.
portrait
It’s hard to say what to call it, but I prefer Samsung’s photo. It has a slight golden tinge, which gives it a more vivid and lively look. In my opinion, the subject’s face also looks more detailed in Samsung’s photos. (However, Google’s images have less glare, which seems to be a consistent theme for outdoor shots).
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
Samsung’s photos are more glarey, but I think Samsung’s images are better.
Selfie (cover camera)
Here’s another challenging call. I think the Google photos are more attractive because the skin looks smoother. However, my face is noticeably softer in the Google photo compared to the Samsung photo, which is clearer and more detailed.
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
Google’s selfie is more flattering, but I think Samsung’s selfie is more accurate.
Overall, both Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 perform well in a variety of situations. Google’s foldable camera is the clear winner when it comes to zoomed-in photos, and it generally takes better photos of outdoor landscapes and objects with less glare. However, I preferred the Samsung’s portrait shots, and the Z Fold 6’s low-light photos had more detail. Which camera is best for you depends on what you value most as a photographer.
