Next-Gen Faceoff: Exploring Key Distinctions Between Google Pixel #9 Ultra Foldable & Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 6 | Insights by ZDNET

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Google just dropped its latest line of Pixel flagship smartphones , and among them is a new foldable: the Pixel 9 Pro Fold . It has a brilliant, huge eight-inch screen – one of the biggest of any smartphone on the market – and comes with a host of new features Google added to the Pixel line, including Gemini Live and some cool visual capabilities.

Also: Everything announced at Made by Google 2024: Pixel 9 Pro, Fold, Gemini, Watch 3, and more

But there’s some tough competition out there. Foldables are still a bit of a niche choice in the smartphone market, but they’re gaining ground with consumers as they get better. Samsung just released its own new foldable earlier this summer, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 , and we were impressed with the Galaxy Z Fold 6’s solid design and feature-rich package.

How does the Galaxy Z Fold 6 compare to Google’s Pixel 9 Pro Fold? Both Androids start around the same price ($1,799 for the Pixel 9 Fold, $1,899 for the Galaxy Z Fold 6), and each has its own suite of features. We’ve gone hands-on with both phones and highlighted their key differences below.

Specifications

You should buy the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold if…

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1. You want all the visual AI features

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While the cameras on both the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and the Galaxy Z Fold 6 are comparable, Google’s phone has some cool new AI-powered apps and camera features that set it apart. During our hands-on demo of the phone, we had a chance to test a few of them out, and if you plan on using your foldable as a visual-first device, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is your best bet. Here are the best ones:

• The Magic Editor app comes with a host of improved functions you can apply to your own photos, like Auto Frame, which automatically reframes a photo. It also suggests the best crop and expands your image with generative AI.
• The Add Me feature uses AI to combine two photos to ensure that everyone is included in a group shot.
• Reimagine uses generative AI to add cool effects to your own photos, letting you change the background of a selfie from your bedroom wall to a beach sunset, for example.
• The Made You Look feature plays a bright animation on the phone’s outer screen, ensuring your subject will look right at the camera, whether your subject is a kid or a pet.
• Video Boost, the Pixel’s video upscaling feature, is improved on the 9 Pro. It uses machine learning and Super Res Zoom to enhance videos to 8K, despite the fact that the phone can’t shoot at that resolution.

Also: The best Android phones you can buy - expert tested (including the Pixel 9 Pro)

2. You’re hyped for Gemini Live

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Google teased its multimodal AI model at I/O earlier this year, and we’ve been anticipating its full release ever since. The wait is over with the release of the new Pixel 9 Pro series, although some features (like its multimodal capabilities) are still not quite ready for the launch.

Despite that fact, Gemini’s on-device AI is well-optimized for the Pixel lineup and is integrated as more of an overarching presence than simply a siloed-off standalone app. Gemini will be replacing Google Assistant as the phone’s primary AI assistant going forward as well, saying “Let’s go live.”

Also: Every Google Pixel 9 model compared: Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold

Also, if you buy the new Google Pixel 9 phone, you’ll get access to the Google One AI Premium plan for a year for free (it’ll cost you $20/month after that).

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3. You want the biggest screen

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One of the best reasons for getting a foldable phone is the big screen, and Google’s Pixel 9 Pro Fold doesn’t skimp. While unfolded, the Super Actua Flex display measures eight inches (almost half an inch larger than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6) and is 80% brighter than the previous Pixel model. It’s also one of the thinnest foldables on the market right now, measuring just 0.2 inches thick while fully unfolded.

Also: Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold vs. Pixel Fold: Which one should you buy?

All that screen real estate makes it a great option for games, web browsing, and video watching, and of course, it pairs well with all the previously mentioned camera and visual apps.

Buy the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold $1,799 at Google

You should buy the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 if…

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1. You have other Samsung devices

Samsung has pushed for additional functionality within its own ecosystem of products this year, specifically with its new Copilot+ PC, the Galaxy Book 4 Edge laptop. The devices integrate well with features like the Plug-in app, which allows you to remotely access and control your phone from the laptop (something Apple is still developing ).

Samsung also supports app continuity between its devices, allowing for seamless switching of content from the smartphone to the laptop and vice versa. If you have Galaxy Buds, Bluetooth can swap easily between devices with a single click, allowing you to take a call on the phone and then swap back to the laptop.

Also: I replaced my Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra with the Z Fold 6 for two weeks - and can’t go back

Samsung has also made a commitment to seven years of upgrades – something to note in comparison to other foldable phones. This means that the Z Fold 6 will remain feature-relevant until at least 2031. Basically, if you have other Samsung products, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is the way to go.

2. You want the most durable foldable

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The Galaxy Z Fold 6 has an official IP48 rating for dust and water resistance and a Dual Rail hinge that improves shock distribution. The phone’s physical design also feels incredibly solid and premium, something we noted during our review of the smartphone . Foldables have come a long way since they were first released, and this one is perhaps the most well-designed .

Also: The best Samsung phones you can buy

However, just in case the phone is damaged, Samsung’s after-market support is also quite good, and it is widely available at retailers nationwide.

Buy the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 $1,899 at Samsung

Alternatives to consider

BEST X ALTERNATIVE The OnePlus Open The OnePlus Open has several unique features, such as 65W SuperVOOC fast charging within minutes, and Open Canvas, which lets you quickly tap between floating windows for seamless multitasking. Additionally, it’s the less expensive option. View at Amazon

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