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If you are thinking of buying a foldable phone like Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6This is probably due to their giant, bendable, tablet-sized screens rather than their cameras. But any phone that costs nearly $2,000 should be able to take great photos, too.
When it comes to the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and Galaxy Z Fold 6Each device excels in different areas. In my experience, Google was better at capturing scenes with a lot of detail like landscapes, lighting, and generally balanced colors more accurately. Zoomed shots taken with the Google phone also looked sharper and noticeably less noisy than the Samsung phone. But the Galaxy Z Fold 6 generally retained more detail in portraits and photos captured in low-light environments.
Both phones have similar camera specs on paper, but megapixels don’t tell the whole story. The sensor size and image processing pipeline in the chip that powers the phone also play a big role in how images turn out.
Pixel 9 Pro Fold vs. Galaxy Z Fold 6 cameras
| Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 | |
| Cameras | 48 MP (wide), 10.5 MP (ultra-wide), 10.8 MP (5x telephoto) | 50 MP (wide), 12 MP (ultra-wide), 10 MP (3x zoom) |
| Selfie cameras | 10 MP (inner display), 10 MP (cover display) | 4 MP (inner under screen), 10 MP (cover screen) |
To test each phone, I took the same photo from both phones in the same location and around the same time. The images below have not been edited and were taken with the main wide camera on each device unless otherwise stated. Photography can be subjective; Opinions on what makes a good photo can vary depending on your taste and preferences. But my goal is to show the differences between both phones.
Main camera
I preferred the Pixel’s image in this scenario because the center of the image appears overexposed in the Samsung’s image. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold looks more true to life.
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold
I preferred this image over the Samsung image because the color and lighting seemed more accurate.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
This image looks a little overexposed in the middle compared to the Google image.
Main camera
Here’s another example where the Pixel 9 Pro Fold performed better than a Samsung phone. The pink flower looks more colorful in this photo.
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold
Photo of a flower taken with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
Photo of a flower taken with Galaxy Z Fold 6
Very spacious
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold took the better photo in this scenario. There is a lot of glare from the sun in the Samsung image, which erases the left side of the image and obscures the picturesque Victorian house.
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold
This image has much less glare than the Samsung one.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
This photo taken with the Galaxy Z Fold 6 has a lot of glare.
Low light
Samsung wowed me with this photo of a preserved bouquet, taken in a darkroom. The Galaxy Z Fold 6’s image is sharper and sharper than the Google’s, although the Pixel’s image is brighter.
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold
This image is brighter than the one taken by the Samsung, but not as sharp.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
Samsung’s image is clearer than Google’s.
Low light
There’s no denying that the Google image is brighter, but you can see the detail in Oscar’s fur more clearly in the Samsung image.
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold
This photo of Oscar’s cat is certainly brighter than the Samsung photo, but it’s not as detailed.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
This photo of my cat Oscar is a bit dark, but it has a lot of detail.
10x magnification
When it comes to enlarged images, Google is the clear winner. Look how clear this photo of the sign at Cape May Winery in New Jersey is compared to the Samsung sign. Both images were taken at 10x zoom, but the Google image doesn’t look nearly as blurry.
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold
This photo is much clearer than the one taken with a Samsung phone.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
This photo is blurrier than the one taken with Google’s phone.
20x magnification
The case is the same with this photo taken at 20x magnification. There are a lot of definitions in the church bricks, and the scene looks clearer overall in the Google image.
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold
This photo was taken at 20x zoom on the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
20x zoomed-in photo of the top of a church taken with Galaxy Z Fold 6.
Mixed outdoor lighting
I was surprised at how different this image looked on each phone. Although I generally thought Google did a better job with landscape and still life shots, this is the one exception. The Samsung’s image is warmer and has more detail, which you can especially notice in the sand grains. In comparison, the Google image looks like it has a blue filter over it.
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold
This scene is great no matter what, but I prefer the warmer tone of the Samsung’s picture.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
This photo was taken with the Galaxy Z Fold 6.
Mixed interior lighting
Google wins this one. The old Cocktail in its photo (left) is more detailed and colorful than the one on the Samsung. It looks like the Galaxy Z Fold 6 may have focused on the flower in the background instead.
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s image is brighter, and the cocktail looks sharper.
A painting
This was a tough one, but I prefer the Samsung’s picture. It’s a little golden in color, but that makes it feel more vibrant and energetic. The subject’s face also looks more detailed in the Samsung photo in my opinion. (Although the Google image has less glare, which seems to be a consistent theme with outdoor shots.)
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
Although the Samsung’s image has more glare, I think it’s the better image.
Selfie (Cover Camera)
Here’s another challenge to connect with. I think the Google image is more flattering because my skin looks smoother. But my face is definitely softer in the Google photo than in the Samsung photos, which have more sharpness and detail.
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
Google’s selfies are more flattering, but I think Samsung’s selfies are more accurate.
Selfie (internal camera)
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
The Google image looks more natural than the Samsung image.
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold and Galaxy Z Fold 6 have a much different approach to taking selfies with their internal cameras. The Google device is brighter and looks more natural and soft, which I prefer, while the Samsung device is over-processed – likely to compensate for the lower-resolution 4MP sensor. Google’s foldable phone has a 10-megapixel internal camera by comparison.
Overall, the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 perform well in different conditions. Google’s foldable phone is the hands-down winner when it comes to zoom shots, and it generally takes great shots of landscapes and outdoor objects with less glare. But I preferred the Samsung’s portraits of people, and the Z Fold 6’s low-light photos also had more detail. The best camera depends on what matters most to you as a photographer.
