Foldable smartphones have long been admired for their innovative designs but often criticized for compromises in camera quality due to design and space constraints. However, recent releases such as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold demonstrate that foldable phones can now rival traditional smartphones in delivering impressive photography experiences. These two flagship devices showcase how far foldable camera technology has come, offering advanced camera systems without sacrificing image quality.
### Camera Hardware and Design Innovations
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 impresses with a high-end camera array that closely matches the capabilities of Samsung’s renowned Galaxy S25 Ultra. Its rear camera setup includes a massive 200-megapixel wide-angle sensor, a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens, and a 10-megapixel telephoto camera. For selfies, it offers 10-megapixel cameras on both the cover display and the main internal screen. Remarkably, all this photographic prowess is packed into an extremely thin foldable design — just 4.2 millimeters thick when unfolded and 8.9 millimeters thick when folded. This sleekness, paired with cutting-edge camera tech, comes with a premium price tag of around $2,000.
In contrast, the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold offers a slightly different camera configuration: a 48-megapixel wide-angle lens, a 10.5-megapixel ultrawide camera, and a 10.8-megapixel telephoto lens on the back, along with 10-megapixel selfie cameras on both displays. While the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is a bit thicker than the Galaxy Z Fold 7 — measuring 5.2 millimeters open and 10.8 millimeters closed — it still maintains a comfortable and manageable form factor. Priced at approximately $1,799, the Pixel also integrates advanced AI features such as “Camera Coach,” powered by Google’s Gemini AI, which assists users in taking better photos through intelligent guidance.
Both phones feature camera bumps that add slight extra bulk beyond their official thickness measurements, but these are designed to be unobtrusive and do not detract significantly from the overall feel or usability.
### Real-World Camera Performance: Portrait Mode
Testing these phones’ cameras in real-world scenarios reveals their strengths and subtle differences. Portrait mode, which emphasizes the subject by softening the background, is a favorite technique for many photographers and a useful test for camera quality.
When photographing a flower arrangement at San Francisco’s Palace Hotel, both phones captured vibrant and detailed images. However, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 produced a noticeably brighter photo with richer, more vivid colors. The flowers’ petals were well-lit with minimal shadows, making them stand out more prominently. Even the background elements, such as chandeliers, appeared clearer with discernible details rather than indistinct blobs of light. This added brightness and detail gave the Galaxy’s image an edge in portrait shots featuring still objects.
A different portrait shot taken at 2x zoom revealed a closer contest. The Galaxy’s image again showed richer colors, especially in the roses perched on a teacup, but some shadows appeared harsher, creating a slightly less balanced light distribution. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold, meanwhile, delivered a more evenly lit image, brightening the entire scene—from foreground to background—more uniformly. This balanced lighting made the Pixel’s photo feel more natural and easier on the eyes. While both photos had their merits, the Pixel’s better-balanced lighting made it the preferred choice in this instance.
Portraits of people further highlighted the Pixel’s strengths. In a portrait of CNET’s Patrick Holland, both phones managed good focus and lighting. Yet, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold preserved skin tones more naturally, displaying a subtle pink undertone rather than the slightly grayish hue seen in the Galaxy’s image. Additionally, the Pixel’s photo showed a bit more detail, contributing to a more lifelike and appealing portrait.
### Selfie Camera Analysis
Selfie performance is increasingly important as front-facing cameras are used for social media and video calls. Testing with the selfie cameras on both phones showed the Pixel 10 Pro Fold delivered a more flattering smoothing effect on the subject’s face. Fine details, such as the floral patterns on a hijab, appeared less granular and more refined in the Pixel’s photo. The skin tone again looked more natural with a warm pinkish hue, compared to the cooler and slightly gray tone in the Galaxy’s selfie.