Maybe Google didn’t require a hardware upgrade for the camera after all. Throughout the years, one of my main grievances with foldable phones has been that while many include all the necessary features, they often fall short regarding camera quality. When investing between $1,500 and $2,000+ for a smartphone, one would anticipate the best hardware overall, but that hasn’t typically been the situation.
Despite the significant redesign the Pixel 9 Pro Fold underwent last year, it still didn’t provide the same camera capabilities as the Pixel 9 Pro. Unfortunately, this holds true for the Pixel 10 Pro Fold as well, as the camera hardware is nearly identical to its former model.
On the other hand, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is not only remarkably slim, but its primary camera has been enhanced, utilizing the same 200MP lens found on the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Moreover, foldable phones available outside the U.S., like the Honor Magic V5 or Oppo Find N5, generally don’t experience the same problems, at least not frequently.
With that in mind, I went out and captured numerous photos with all four foldable devices to see how the Pixel 10 Pro Fold stacked up. Before diving into the details, I should clarify that all images presented were captured using the default settings. The pictures haven’t been altered in any way, to maintain the most equitable comparison possible.
Pixel 10 Pro Fold vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7
We’ll begin this camera contest with the two devices that many people are likely contemplating as the holiday season approaches. This comparison is particularly intriguing because while Google didn’t implement significant upgrades, Samsung opted for a completely different strategy with the Galaxy Z Fold 7. However, even with the new 200MP sensor, I’m not convinced that it’s significantly superior to the Pixel 10 Pro Fold.
Right from the start, we observe the signature Samsung saturation, although not as exaggerated as I’ve come to expect. It’s vibrant enough to notice compared to the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, but the image isn’t unattractive by any means. That said, the 10 Pro Fold produced a photo that felt slightly more true to life and a bit brighter, although it’s not crucial in the overall context.
The image of the tree leaves me somewhat confused, as the tree from the Fold 7 doesn’t stand out as much, and it’s only upon inspecting the grass behind the tree that a clear difference emerges. Honestly, this was one of the more challenging images to assess, as both devices did an admirable job capturing what I actually perceived.
This image below genuinely astonished me. To my eye, the Pixel captures more vibrancy and detail than the Z Fold 7, which I hadn’t anticipated.
It’s an autumn shot filled with vibrant colors, so I expected Samsung’s saturation processing to make its presence felt. If anything, I might go as far as to say the picture is slightly overexposed, particularly when examining the trees and leaves near the steps in the background.
Naturally, since I have a penchant for smartphones with excellent telephoto cameras, I also took a few shots with each device. Regrettably, this is where the Galaxy Z Fold 7 faltered, and faltered significantly. It’s evidently clear in every image but is particularly noticeable in pictures featuring text.
The entire image appears as if it’s trying to look AI-generated, while the Pixel looks sharp and clear with minimal artifacting present. There’s also the shot of the “Social” sign, and although the letters appear fine, the visible brick looks washed out and lifeless.
Pixel 10 Pro Fold vs. Honor Magic V5
It’s been years since I used an Honor phone and I have never experienced any of the company’s foldable devices. Thanks to Android Central’s Nick Sutrich, I’ve managed to spend some time with the Magic V5 and incorporated it into this camera comparison. Let me tell you, this phone may be the most perplexing of them all.
The image above resembles Honor taking Samsung’s older image processing technique and cranking the saturation up to 11. Like the Fold 7, it’s not that the picture from the Magic V5 looks fundamentally bad, as the colors do stand out, especially on the mural. However, if I had to make any adjustments, reducing the saturation would be my top priority.
Here’s where things get peculiar. In the photograph of the tree, it feels as though I stepped into a time machine and returned several years. The V5 clearly struggled with the multitude of colors and the grey sky, resulting in a blown-out image. Consequently, there’s hardly any definition,
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