If you’d like proof that foldable phone cameras have come a great distance, look no additional than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold.
For years, design and house constraints on foldables led to scaled-back cameras, leading to subpar pictures. However the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Pixel 10 Professional Fold have surpassed these {hardware} limitations. Every cellphone boasts spectacular cameras which are on par with what you will discover on extra conventional slab telephones, which is a formidable feat.
So, how do pictures on the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Pixel 10 Professional Fold examine? I took every digicam for a spin to see how the telephones stack up.
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First, although, some digicam specs. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 has a 200-megapixel wide-angle (identical to the S25 Ultra), a 12-megapixel ultrawide and a 10-megapixel telephoto digicam on the again. It additionally has 10-megapixel selfie cameras on the quilt and major shows.
These specs are particularly spectacular contemplating the Z Fold 7 is wildly thin for a foldable, measuring simply 4.2mm thick when open and eight.9mm thick when closed. That innovation is mirrored within the whopping $2,000 price ticket.
In the meantime, the Pixel 10 Professional Fold has a 48-megapixel wide-angle, 10.5-megapixel ultrawide and a ten.8-megapixel telephoto digicam on the again. Moreover, each the quilt and inside shows have 10-megapixel selfie cameras.
The Pixel 10 Professional Fold did not slim down as a lot because the Z Fold 7, but it surely nonetheless doesn’t feel obtrusively bulky. It is 5.2mm thick when open and 10.8mm thick when closed. The ten Professional Fold prices $1,799. It additionally packs some spectacular new AI images options like Camera Coach, which makes use of Gemini that will help you take higher pictures.
Digicam bumps aren’t factored into both cellphone’s measurements, so count on a bit additional bulk there — however fortunately, nothing too obtrusive.
Galaxy Z Fold 7 vs. Pixel 10 Professional Fold digicam comparability
Let’s begin off with my favourite method to seize pictures: Portrait mode. This helps the topic — on this case, a surprising flower association at The Palace Lodge in San Francisco — stand out and be the clear focal point.
Each photos seize the vibrancy of the floral centerpiece, however the Galaxy Z Fold picture is noticeably brighter. The colours are extra vivid within the foreground, and there are fewer shadows between the petals, which helps them stand out extra. Even the background within the Galaxy picture appears better-lit. The chandeliers look much less like a blob of sunshine, and you’ll really decipher among the particular person crystals. It is that added degree of element that makes me gravitate towards the Galaxy Z Fold 7 right here.
Galaxy Z Fold 7
Pixel 10 Professional Fold
This comparability is a bit trickier. These photos have been shot in Portrait mode at 2x zoom.
You may once more discover the Galaxy picture has barely richer colours, particularly if you take a look at the roses on the teacup. However the shadows are additionally a bit harsher.
In the meantime, the Pixel does an excellent job of brightening up every thing from the teacup to the desk to the sofa within the background. The lighting appears extra balanced throughout.
Every picture is a winner in my guide, however I used to be compelled to decide on, I would go for the better-lit Pixel shot.
Galaxy Z Fold 7
Pixel 10 Professional Fold
Talking of portraits, here is one in all CNET’s Patrick Holland. Each do an excellent job with focus and lighting, however I like how the Pixel 10 Professional preserves pores and skin tone. Trying carefully, you will see Patrick has a extra pure, pink undertone within the Pixel picture, slightly than the marginally gray hue on the Galaxy picture. There’s additionally a bit extra element on the Pixel shot, which makes me gravitate towards that one.
Galaxy Z Fold 7
Pixel 10 Professional Fold
Switching to the selfie digicam, the Pixel has a extra flattering smoothing impact on my face. Even the flowers on my hijab look rather less granular than they do on the Galaxy shot. And once more, my pores and skin tone within the Pixel picture has a extra natural-looking pinkish tone, versus the marginally greyer undertone of the Galaxy picture. Additionally, the shadows are extra subdued within the Pixel’s shot. So, the Pixel takes the prize right here.
Galaxy Z Fold 7
Pixel 10 Professional Fold
You may discover a key distinction between these photos. Even after I’m not taking pictures in Portrait mode, the Pixel will add a extra noticeable bokeh impact to the background. I favor this look as a result of it helps put the give attention to the topic.
In the meantime, the Galaxy shot appears a bit too busy with each the foreground and background in clearer focus — and I might go for Portrait mode to assist offset that right here. However I admire the blur on these pillows from the Pixel’s major digicam. It is the pure bokeh from the lens and I need not flip Portrait mode on for it.
Galaxy Z Fold 7
Pixel 10 Professional Fold
The ultrawide cameras on each the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Pixel 10 Professional Fold do an excellent job of minimizing distortion, so you aren’t getting a bizarre fisheye impact. Each telephones give a pleasant sweeping view of this corridor.
The Galaxy picture was taken at .6x zoom, whereas the Pixel one was shot at .5x zoom — the default settings for every ultrawide digicam. There’s hardly any discernible distinction there.
However as soon as once more, what speaks to me is how a lot brighter the Galaxy picture is total, so I am giving some extent there.
Galaxy Z Fold 7
Pixel 10 Professional Fold
And eventually, let’s zoom all the best way in to 20x digital zoom.
The Pixel 10 Professional Fold has a function known as Tremendous Res Zoom, which makes use of AI to boost photos which are punched in as much as 20x, so you aren’t getting a blurry, grainy mess.
Samsung additionally makes use of AI to shine zoomed-in pictures. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 can transfer in even nearer, as much as 30x. However I stored this picture at 20x for a 1-to-1 comparability with the Pixel.
That is one other instance the place each the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Pixel 10 Professional Fold carry their weight. The numbers on the clock and the gilded gildings surrounding the face are sharp sufficient in every picture, given how shut I punched in. The metallic on the Pixel picture has a richer gold hue, however the clock face on the Galaxy shot is brighter and reveals the lighter specs in larger element. In the end, this one’s a toss-up.
Galaxy Z Fold 7
Pixel 10 Professional Fold
Remaining ideas
Each the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Pixel 10 Professional Fold are able to taking nice pictures, as evidenced by how break up I used to be all through this digicam comparability. The Z Fold 7 will usually serve up brighter photos, whereas the ten Professional Fold tends to use a pleasant smoothing impact to individuals and objects. I additionally like how the Pixel’s lens naturally provides a extra noticeable bokeh impact if you’re targeted on a topic, so you do not even have to change to Portrait mode.
Like so many digicam comparisons, it boils down to private desire. However the important thing takeaway is that you simply not must compromise on digicam high quality when choosing a foldable cellphone. And contemplating how a lot they value, the least you can ask for is a few Instagram-worthy pictures.
