Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra

Samsung got there first. It announced Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra on 22 July 2026 and put it on sale on 7 August 2026; Google announced Pixel 11 Pro Fold on 12 August 2026, and US stores had it from 20 August 2026. On paper the screens match, a 6.5-inch cover that opens to an 8-inch display, so what you’re choosing between is everything each company built around them.

Spec	Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold	Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra
US launch price	From $1,899	From $2,099.99
On sale	20 August 2026	7 August 2026
Dust and water	IP68	IP48
Weight	239 g	215 g
Size, closed	155.2 × 76.0 × 10.1 mm	158.4 × 72.8 × 8.9 mm
Size, open	155.2 × 150.4 × 5.0 mm (without the camera bump)	158.4 × 143.2 × 4.1 mm (without the screen frame)
Inner screen	8-inch, 2076 × 2152, 372 ppi	8.0-inch, 2504 × 2256, 422 ppi
Cover screen	6.5-inch, 1080 × 2342, 399 ppi	6.5-inch, 1080 × 2520, 422 ppi
Peak brightness	Up to 3600 nits, both screens	Not published
Main camera	48MP, f/1.70	200MP, F1.7, OIS
Ultrawide	10.5MP, f/2.2, 127°	50MP, F1.9, 120°
Telephoto	10.8MP, f/3.1, 5x optical	10MP, F2.4, 3x optical
Longest zoom	Super Zoom up to 30x	Space Zoom up to 30x
Video	Up to 4K at 60fps	Up to 8K at 30fps
Battery	4806 mAh typical (4658 minimum); 24+ hours	5000 mAh typical (4854 rated); no hours given
Wired charging	About 50% in 30 minutes (30W or higher)	About 67% in 30 minutes (45W)
Wireless charging	Pixelsnap, Qi2.2, up to 25W	Up to 20W, plus Wireless PowerShare
RAM	16GB with 256GB, 512GB or 1TB	12GB with 256GB or 512GB; 16GB with 1TB
Chip	Tensor G6, Titan M3	Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy
Software	Android 17	Android 17 with One UI 9
Updates	7 years of OS, security and Pixel Drop updates	Not published
SIM	Nano-SIM plus eSIM	SIM plus eSIM

Only the Pixel is rated against dust

Both ratings end in the same water digit, 8. The first digit is where they split: the 6 in the Pixel’s IP68 means dust-tight, and Samsung’s IP48 isn’t a dust-tight rating. If your phone spends time in a beach bag or a dusty pocket, the Pixel is the fold rated for it. Neither rating is an invitation to swim, and neither company promises to cover a soaked hinge.

Samsung’s fold is the lighter and slimmer one: 215 grams against 239, and 8.9mm thick closed against 10.1mm. Opened, it’s 4.1mm thick against the Pixel’s 5.0mm, but the two aren’t measured the same way. Samsung leaves out the frame around the inner screen, and Google leaves out the camera bump. The Samsung is also narrower open (143.2mm against 150.4mm) and a little taller (158.4mm against 155.2mm).

The Pixel has an ultra-durable glass ceramic cover screen, a matte composite back and a satin spacecraft-grade aluminum frame with a fingerprint-resistant coating, in Olive or Obsidian. Samsung uses Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 3 on the cover screen, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the back and an Armor Aluminum frame, in Violet Shadow, Graphite, Cream and Green Shadow. Green Shadow is sold only on Samsung.com.

Cameras: 200 megapixels against a 5x lens

Samsung went for resolution. Its main camera is 200 megapixels (F1.7, with optical stabilization), the ultrawide is 50 megapixels (F1.9, 120 degrees), and the telephoto is a 10-megapixel 3x lens (F2.4). It records 8K at 30fps.

Google went for reach. The Pixel’s telephoto is 10.8 megapixels (f/3.1) with 5x optical zoom, next to a 48-megapixel main camera (f/1.70) and a 10.5-megapixel ultrawide (f/2.2, 127 degrees). Video tops out at 4K and 60fps.

Both quote 30x as their longest zoom, and neither 30x is optical: Samsung’s Space Zoom builds on the 3x lens, Google’s Super Zoom on the 5x one. The Pixel adds HiLight, a ring of status lights around the flash that you can read with the phone face down.

Screens: same sizes, more pixels on Samsung

Samsung’s inner screen is 2504 × 2256 at 422 pixels per inch, against 2076 × 2152 at 372 on the Pixel. The covers are 1080 × 2520 at 422 on the Samsung and 1080 × 2342 at 399 on the Pixel. Both inner screens refresh from 1Hz to 120Hz. Google rates both of its screens for up to 3,600 nits peak; Samsung doesn’t give a brightness figure.

Battery and charging

Samsung’s battery is bigger on paper: 5,000mAh typical (4,854mAh rated) against 4,806mAh typical (4,658mAh minimum) on the Pixel. Google rates its fold for 24+ hours of use; Samsung puts no hours figure on Fold8 Ultra.

With a cable, Samsung is quicker: about 67% in 30 minutes on a 45W charger. By Google’s figures the Pixel gets to about 50% in 30 minutes on a 30W charger or higher, though Google measured them with its own 45W charger. Wireless goes the other way. The Pixel charges at up to 25W through Pixelsnap, which is Qi2.2-certified, while Samsung’s fast wireless charging tops out at 20W. Samsung adds Wireless PowerShare for topping up other devices from the back of the phone.

Software, memory and the long run

Both launch on Android 17, with Samsung’s One UI 9 on top. Google commits to 7 years of OS, security and Pixel Drop updates for its fold. Samsung hasn’t published an update period for Fold8 Ultra, so you’re taking its support on trust.

The Pixel runs Tensor G6 with the Titan M3 security chip and has 16GB of RAM at every storage size. Samsung pairs the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy with 12GB at 256GB and 512GB, and 16GB only at 1TB.

The Pixel’s US model, GZDQ6, takes a nano-SIM plus an eSIM, and a SIM tool comes in the box; Samsung lists a SIM plus eSIM. The Pixel also has Google Wallet over NFC, dual-band GPS with GLONASS and Galileo in the US, fingerprint and face unlock, and Satellite SOS.

Price

Google’s fold launched at $1,899 in the US and Samsung’s at $2,099.99, so the Samsung costs about two hundred dollars more before you choose more storage. Samsung’s announcement also shows $2,299.99 and $2,699.99 for other configurations or regions, so check which model a price is for. Compare Google’s and Samsung’s stores on the day you buy.