Why should you skip the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and buy the Pixel 9 Pro Fold?

There's no denying Samsung's influence on foldable phones. However, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 only offers minor improvements, while Google's Pixel 9 Pro Fold seems to have the upper hand, which is why it's the better choice.

1. Pixel 9 Pro Fold has a more compact design

Samsung hasn't pushed the boundaries of what foldable phones can do with the Galaxy Z Fold 6. The update has tweaked the design a bit, making the device a little more usable, but it still leaves a lot to be desired, especially for compact phone enthusiasts.

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold, with its wider and lower design, makes it very easy to use. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is also thinner than the Galaxy Z Fold 6. When unfolded, the Pixel is 5.1mm thick, while the Z Fold is 5.6mm thick, and when folded, the Pixel is 10.5mm thick, while the Z Fold 6 is 12.1mm thick.

2. Pixel 9 Pro Fold has a better camera

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold and Galaxy Z Fold 6 cameras are pretty similar. First, the main camera. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold's 48MP wide-angle camera has an 82-degree field of view, which means flatter images than the 85-degree field of view on Samsung's 50MP wide-angle camera. This also means there's less of a fisheye effect with the Pixel's camera.

Then, on the ultra-wide camera, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold offers a dedicated macro mode, which means you can get closer to your subject and take multiple shots. For those who love to travel and take photos, this is a must-have option.

Finally, let's talk about the telephoto camera. The Pixel Fold's 5x optical zoom is much more appealing for image composition than the Z Fold 6's 3x optical zoom.

Add to that the various software features Google has baked into its camera experience, like Top Shot and “Add Me,” and you have an experience that the Z Fold 6’s camera can’t match.

3. Pixel 9 Pro Fold will get faster updates

There's another obvious advantage to owning a Google phone. It gets faster updates than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6. Many people like this aspect of the ownership experience; waiting for updates is not a pleasant experience.

When some of Android 15's best features hit compatible devices in late 2024, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold will be one of the first few to get them. With the Z Fold 6, users will have to wait weeks, if not months, before Samsung rolls out its version of OneUI.

It's worth noting, though, that both Samsung and Google offer seven years of software upgrades and security updates for their devices.

4. New Features to Expect with Pixel Drops

The final reason many people would choose the Pixel 9 Pro Fold over the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is the features Google brings to its proprietary devices over time with Pixel Feature Drops. These quarterly updates add more functionality after launch, meaning the Pixel 9 Pro Fold will get better over time, just like the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro have done since their launch in 2023.

Even at launch, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold boasts interesting features like Pixel Screenshots and Add Me. Both are AI-based features that use images in interesting ways. For example, Pixel Screenshots can remember details from screenshots and then use the Gemini Nano model to help you easily organize data, recall locations or events, and more.

With competition in the foldable phone space growing, Samsung could do more to differentiate its Z Fold series. One UI has provided the most polished multitasking experience, giving the company an advantage, but the hardware improvements have come too late.

On the other hand, Google's Pixel 9 Pro Fold brings a lot of notable changes over its predecessor - both hardware and software - bringing the fun factor that many are eagerly waiting to experience.