Mark Shephard – Page 2 – GOTgoodoldtech

The OnePlus Open: Still a Foldable to Beat — But Will We Ever See a Sequel?

When the OnePlus Open launched in 2023, it instantly changed how I looked at foldable phones. Up to that point, my main daily driver was the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4, and while it was impressive, it always felt a bit narrow and awkward to use closed. Then came the OnePlus Open — a breath of fresh air with its wider outer display, sleek hinge design, and cameras that could finally compete with traditional flagships.

It wasn’t just another foldable; it was the foldable I’d been waiting for.

The OnePlus Open Was Ahead of Its Time

Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, the OnePlus Open delivered some of the smoothest performance I’d ever experienced on a foldable. Even in 2025, it still feels quick — snappy multitasking, fluid animations, and excellent thermal control.

What really set it apart, though, was its 6.3-inch outer display. It was refreshingly usable compared to the narrow front screen on the Fold 4 and even today’s Z Fold 7. The Open struck that perfect balance between compact and functional, something Samsung still hasn’t quite nailed.

And let’s not forget those cameras. With a 64 MP telephoto, 48 MP main, and 48 MP ultra-wide, it punched above its weight. Even in 2025, those specs rival many flagships. Add to that the nearly crease-less inner display, and you had a foldable that looked futuristic and refined from every angle.

The Letdown: No Sequel… Yet

Toward the end of 2024, rumors began circulating that OnePlus wouldn’t release an Open 2 — at least not anytime soon. Instead, Oppo, the parent company, shifted focus toward the Find N5, leaving global users wondering if OnePlus had quietly exited the foldable race.

It was disappointing, especially since the OnePlus Open was a global release with U.S. availability — something Oppo’s phones still lack. The Open also had an advantage in repairability and support, with legitimate U.S. service options, unlike imported Chinese models.

If you’re still rocking the original Open, you know it’s aged remarkably well. But for fans hoping for a 2025 or 2026 sequel, things started to feel uncertain.

Oppo Find N5: A Step Backward for Many

Then came the Oppo Find N5 — essentially the OnePlus Open’s spiritual successor in Asia — and the excitement turned into frustration. Oppo slimmed down the body but at the cost of major camera compromises.

They dropped to an 8 MP ultra-wide and 8 MP selfie camera, keeping only the main sensor at flagship quality. That’s a big step backward for photography lovers. Even die-hard Oppo fans admitted it felt like a downgrade.

The Find N5’s taller, narrower form also didn’t help. It reminded me too much of Samsung’s old Fold design — elegant, yes, but awkward for typing or watching videos.

So for me, the OnePlus Open still holds the crown. It found that perfect blend of design, camera power, and usability that others have struggled to match.

A Look Back: OnePlus Open vs Honor Magic V2

To understand where the next OnePlus Open could go, it helps to look at what its closest competitor was doing around the same time. The Honor Magic V2 came out just months after the Open, pushing the limits of thinness and refinement. Both phones were remarkable, but they took slightly different paths.

Here’s a quick comparison of the two:

Category	OnePlus Open	Honor Magic V2
Launch (Global)	Oct 2023	Sept 2023
Chipset / GPU	Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 / Adreno 740	Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 / Adreno 740
Software at Launch	Android 13, OxygenOS Fold	Android 13, MagicOS 7.2
Dimensions (Folded)	153.4 × 73.3 × 11.7 mm	156.7 × 74.0 × 9.9 mm
Thickness (Unfolded)	5.8 mm	4.7 mm
Weight	239 g	231 g
Outer Display	6.3″ LTPO OLED (2484 × 1116, 120 Hz)	6.43″ LTPO OLED (2376 × 1060, 120 Hz)
Inner Display	7.82″ LTPO OLED (2440 × 2268, 120 Hz)	7.92″ LTPO OLED (2344 × 2156, 120 Hz)
Peak Brightness	2800 nits	2500 nits
Rear Cameras	48 MP main + 64 MP telephoto + 48 MP ultra-wide	50 MP main + 20 MP telephoto + 50 MP ultra-wide
Front Camera	20 MP	16 MP
Battery	4805 mAh (Li-Poly)	5000 mAh (Si-Carbon)
Charging	67 W wired	66 W wired / 50 W wireless
Build	Aluminum frame + vegan leather back	Magnesium alloy + titanium hinge
Fold Crease	Nearly invisible	Very light
Price (Launch)	~$1,699 USD	~$1,200 USD (China)

While the Magic V2 was thinner and lighter, the OnePlus Open still felt more balanced overall, especially in camera performance and display usability. The V2 pushed boundaries in engineering, but the Open offered the kind of polish that made it feel complete right out of the box.

What Could the OnePlus Open 2 (or Oppo Find N6) Bring?

If Oppo does release a Find N6, or if OnePlus resurrects the “Open” brand, we can expect a few things based on leaks and the direction of the market:

Thinner design: Honor and Vivo have already proven that foldables can be razor-thin, and Oppo can follow suit.
Improved cameras: Oppo reportedly learned from the N5’s mistakes and plans to boost image quality — particularly with larger sensors and higher-resolution ultra-wide and zoom lenses.
Larger battery: Rumors suggest a slight bump beyond 5,000 mAh, possibly with 100 W charging to rival Honor’s V-series.
Wider aspect ratio: The N6 may shift closer to the original Open’s proportions, which would be a welcome return.

The big question is whether OnePlus will return as Oppo’s global counterpart, as they did before. If so, we could finally see a new OnePlus Open 2 make its way to international markets — complete with updated specs, refined software, and that beloved multitasking interface that allows three apps at once on the big screen.

My Take — and What I’m Hoping For

If Oppo and OnePlus truly want to capture global attention again, they’ll need to go back to what made the first Open great — no compromises. The wide form factor, top-tier cameras, global launch, and premium build made it special.

Foldables are finally maturing, and as the Honor Magic V5 and Vivo X Fold 5 prove, there’s no excuse for weak cameras or limited regions anymore. The demand is there.

If the OnePlus Open 2 becomes real, even as a rebranded Find N6, I’ll be first in line to test it. And if not? Well, the original Open remains one of the most balanced foldables ever made — and a reminder that OnePlus once built something truly ahead of its time.

Would you buy a OnePlus Open 2 if it launched next year? Or has the brand already lost your trust after skipping 2025 entirely? Let me know your thoughts — and check out my full comparison video where I dive deeper into what makes the Open still one of the most satisfying foldables to use daily.

Pixel Watch 4: My First 72 Hours — and Why It Surprised Me

I’ll be honest — I didn’t expect to walk away from this weekend impressed by the new Pixel Watch 4. I packed it up, synced it to my Pixel Fold, and headed out for a four-day trip to really see how it handled real-world use. There was just one small problem: I forgot the charger. Yep, I left the only OEM cable it works with sitting neatly on my desk at home. This thing doesn’t support reverse wireless charging like some older smartwatches do — so I figured I’d be wearing a dead bracelet by Saturday.

But that’s where the first big surprise hit.

Battery Life That Outlasts Expectations

I left Friday morning with an 85% charge, and by Monday morning — nearly four days later — I still had 4% left. That’s not standby time; I used it all weekend long for notifications, activity tracking, and sleep monitoring. No charger, no battery anxiety, no problem.

When I finally plugged it in Monday morning, I decided to test how fast it would charge. From 4% to 58% took exactly 15 minutes. And even after an unexpected mid-charge software update, it still hit 100% in about 50 minutes flat. For reference, my Samsung Watch Ultra takes over an hour — and it’s not even close.

So yeah, Google’s done something right here. For a compact smartwatch with that sleek design, lasting an entire long weekend is seriously impressive.

Comfort, Design, and Daily Use

Once I got past my battery test anxiety, the first thing I noticed was how lightweight and comfortable the Pixel Watch 4 feels. Compared to the Samsung Watch Ultra, this thing is a feather. I didn’t even realize how much bulk I’d been lugging around until I switched. Both are 45mm watches, but because Google’s bezels are thinner and the face feels more open, the Pixel actually looks bigger on the wrist — in a good way.

I’ll admit, the watch band isn’t my favorite. It’s a little awkward to fasten one-handed, but once it’s on, it’s secure and comfortable. It’s water-resistant too, so no worries about a dip in the pool or a sweaty hike.

The 3,000-nit display is gorgeous. Even in bright California sunshine, I had zero trouble reading it. The smooth “Material You” interface looks modern, colorful, and easy on the eyes — definitely a visual upgrade from Samsung’s utilitarian menus.

Charging, Compatibility, and Everyday Features

Here’s a big one: the Pixel Watch 4 works perfectly on non-Pixel phones. I paired it to my Honor Magic V5, and every feature — even the ECG — worked flawlessly. No hidden “Pixel-only” restrictions like Samsung pulls when you use their watches with other Android devices. I could monitor my heart rhythm, check notifications, run apps, and control music without missing a single feature. That’s huge.

As for charging, Google’s charger may be proprietary, but it’s fast and reliable. I still wish it had the option for reverse wireless charging from a phone, though. Samsung used to offer that, but they removed it on the Ultra series, which still doesn’t make sense.

Fitness, Health, and Fitbit Frustration

Health tracking is accurate and easy to view directly on the watch. You get steps, heart rate, and sleep data with smooth animations and clear visuals. The sleep analysis screen is fantastic — I averaged around six hours per night, and it even showed my REM cycles clearly.

My only gripe? It relies on Fitbit. The watch itself is great, but once you open the Fitbit app on your phone, you get bombarded with ads to “Try Fitbit Premium.” I just want my stats, not a $20-a-month subscription pitch. Thankfully, you can bypass most of that by viewing data directly on the watch or tapping “Open on phone” to go straight to your results without navigating Fitbit’s upsell maze.

Gemini vs. Siri (and the Pixel Advantage)

Voice assistants are another area where Pixel crushed it. I did a quick test between Google Assistant (Gemini) and Siri on my Apple Watch.
Siri struggled to connect twice before finally telling me it was cloudy. Gemini nailed it instantly — complete with extra context, details, and a smooth voice response.

Siri did inform me of a flood warnings in Anaheim — Gemini didn’t mention it until I specifically asked. Gemini, on the other hand, immediately confirmed a flash flood watch with the full schedule and area details. That’s the kind of real-world smarts I want in a smartwatch.

My 72-Hour Verdict

After three full days of use, here’s my takeaway: the Pixel Watch 4 might be the best all-around Android smartwatch right now. It’s light, fast, beautiful, and lasts longer than I ever expected.

It doesn’t hide features behind brand loyalty walls. It doesn’t weigh your wrist down. And even if you forget your charger (like I did), you’ll still make it through the weekend just fine.

Would I still wear my Samsung Watch Ultra? Sure — it’s a beast. But the Pixel Watch 4 feels more natural, modern, and effortless. And for the first time, I can honestly say Google’s watch is no longer playing catch-up — it’s setting the pace.

Honor Magic V5 vs VIVO X Fold 5: Which Foldable Wins the Daily Battle?

This is the matchup everyone’s been waiting for — Honor Magic V5 vs VIVO X Fold 5. Two of the most advanced foldables ever made, both thin, sleek, and ridiculously powerful. I spent several days putting them through my real-world daily routine — from unlocking screens and checking notifications to editing videos, snapping photos, and even doing my morning coffee scroll. So, how do they stack up head-to-head? Let’s dive in.

Design and Build

Right away, you’ll notice the VIVO X Fold 5 stands a little taller and slimmer, with softer rounded corners. The Honor Magic V5, on the other hand, has a slightly wider stance, which actually fits my hand better. It’s more comfortable to type on and easier to reach across the display — a subtle but meaningful win for Honor.

Both phones are impressively thin — around 9mm folded — but the Magic V5 does have a larger camera bump. In my “level test,” they were nearly identical in thickness, but when it came to the camera module, the V5 clearly sat higher off the table. Minor detail, but it’s noticeable.

VIVO adds a bonus feature: a programmable side button. It’s not a toggle like on the OnePlus Open, but you can assign it to mute, launch an app, or even trigger the camera. Handy touch, and I actually grew to like it.

Software & Daily Use

I’ll start with the disclaimer — my VIVO X Fold 5 is the Chinese version, while the Honor Magic V5 I used is global. So yes, there are some quirks. For instance, on the VIVO, your lock screen wallpaper mirrors your home screen, and you can’t change them separately. Small annoyance, but one that bugged me. Honor, thankfully, gives you full customization freedom.

Both phones unlock quickly with their side-mounted fingerprint readers. I used to think Samsung’s ultrasonic sensor was faster, but these two are lightning quick. No hesitation.

On the inside, both run Android 15, but they take different approaches.

Honor Magic V5: MagicOS 9, Snapdragon 8 Elite, 16GB RAM, 5820 mAh battery.
VIVO X Fold 5: ColorOS-based OriginOS 4, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, 16GB RAM, 6000 mAh battery.

That means the VIVO technically has a bigger battery, but Honor’s new silicon-carbon cell makes up the difference with better efficiency.

Stylus & Connectivity

Here’s where Honor pulls ahead: stylus support on both screens. That’s right — you can use the Magic Pen on the cover and the inner display, and it’s great for note-taking or even thumbnail artwork (yes, I’ve made a few that way). The VIVO doesn’t have stylus support at all.

In my Wi-Fi speed test, the Honor Magic V5 hit 444 Mbps down and 8.3 Mbps up — basically maxing out my home internet plan. The VIVO X Fold 5 came close at 340 down and 9 up, but the edge went to Honor. However, on cellular, VIVO flipped the results — its signal speeds were almost triple Honor’s. So Wi-Fi lovers will lean Honor, while road warriors might prefer VIVO.

Now, about carrier compatibility — I called AT&T and Verizon, and both told me these devices weren’t officially supported. Yet dozens of users in my comments say they’re using both phones just fine. So your mileage may vary, but the reality is — they do work on U.S. networks.

Software Experience & Widgets

Both phones let you multitask beautifully, but they do it differently.
Honor uses a swipe-from-side gesture to open split-screen apps, while VIVO uses a three-finger swipe up. On Honor, you can go wild — even run three full-size apps simultaneously. Add “Workbench” mode, and you can technically juggle four. Perfect for research, notes, or — in my case — running Bible study tools side by side.

VIVO’s widget system is elegant, with interactive “stackable” cards for things like recorder, notes, and earbuds — though you’re limited to the pre-installed apps in the Chinese version. Honor’s widget options are more limited overall, but at least you get access to Google’s official widgets from the Play Store.

Camera Showdown

Time for the fun part — cameras.

Both devices deliver flagship-quality photos, but they take different approaches.
The Honor Magic V5 tends to produce brighter, more colorful shots — perfect for sharing right out of the camera. The VIVO X Fold 5, with its Zeiss optics, gives a more natural and cinematic tone.

At night, the story flips. Honor’s dedicated night mode keeps images clean and well-lit, while VIVO relies purely on its lens tuning — which can make shots look softer, though sometimes more realistic. I’ll say this: Honor wins for consistency, but VIVO’s camera feels more “pro” when lighting is good.

Zoom? Honor takes a slight lead up to 20x, but VIVO pulls ahead at extreme zoom (50x and beyond) with sharper details.

Portrait mode? Easy — VIVO wins. Its bokeh looks natural, while Honor’s portrait mode doesn’t always blur the background properly.

Macro photography is a toss-up — Honor captures great detail, but VIVO’s colors pop more.

Performance & Video Editing

Here’s where specs meet sweat. Both have top-tier chips — Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 vs 8 Elite — but the real-world difference is minimal. To test this, I edited and exported the same 4K video on both using PowerDirector.

To my surprise, VIVO initially exported faster — until thermal throttling kicked in. Then Honor’s Elite chip surged ahead, finishing just seconds faster. So while they’re nearly neck-and-neck, Honor Magic V5 ultimately wins in long, sustained performance.

Final Thoughts: Which One Do I Prefer?

Both are incredible foldables — and either could be your daily driver — but for me, the Honor Magic V5 edges out the win. It’s wider, easier to use, has stylus support, faster Wi-Fi, and a slightly better balance between camera brightness and consistency.

The VIVO X Fold 5, however, still shines with its Zeiss camera tuning, build quality, and great signal strength. If you prefer a slimmer feel and more natural photography, VIVO might be your pick.

But for everyday usability, the Honor Magic V5 is the foldable that keeps winning me over.

Would you pick width and stylus, or slim design and Zeiss lenses?
Join the discussion — I want to hear what you’d choose between these two powerhouses.

The Ultimate Battery Life Showdown: Which Flagship Lasts the Longest?

Hello and welcome back to GOT! Today we’re diving into the long-awaited battery drain test — a real-world showdown between some of the top smartphones out right now. This lineup is stacked: the Honor Magic V3, Honor Magic V5, Vivo X Fold 5, Samsung Z Fold 7, Samsung S25 Ultra, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro Fold, and Pixel 10 Pro.

Now before we jump in, let’s get something out of the way — this kind of testing is not an exact science. Everyone’s results may vary, depending on your settings, apps, and how you use your phone day-to-day. My goal here isn’t to crown a “perfect” winner but to see which phone drops out first when they all face the same set of draining obstacles.

Is this testing “fair”? Not by a long shot. There’s really no such thing as a perfectly fair comparison unless you’re testing multiple copies of the exact same phone. Every phone here has unique hardware, software, and optimizations, which means they’ll perform differently under identical conditions. That’s what makes this so interesting — seeing how each brand’s design decisions translate into real-world endurance.

The Setup

To keep things as level as possible, I removed the SIM cards from all devices so they’d run on Wi-Fi only — that way, they’d still receive notifications like a typical user setup without cellular variation. Brightness levels were manually adjusted to match as closely as possible (no fancy light meters here — just the old-fashioned eyeball test).

We started the day fully charged — well, almost. The Z Fold 7 wasn’t plugged in overnight and started at 23%, so I gave it a full top-up before kicking things off. Once everything hit 100%, the test began.

The Plan

This wasn’t just a simple “play a video until they die” test. We ran a mix of daily use and stress scenarios to reflect real-world battery drain:

Video streaming: Hours of YouTube playback (looping my channel, of course)
Benchmarking: 3DMark Extreme tests to simulate heavy gaming
4K video recording: 30-minute clips to generate heat and workload
Rendering: Exporting 4K footage on each device
Standby time: A few hours idle to track passive drain

Every step was timed, logged, and checked for heat using an infrared thermometer.

Early Results: Holding Strong

After the first few hours of video playback, most phones were still in the mid-to-high 90% range. As usual, iPhones stayed at 100% longer than most before dropping quickly later — typical Apple behavior.

When we hit the standby phase, two phones surprised me: the iPhone 17 Pro dropped 4%, and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold dropped 7% — quite a bit for doing absolutely nothing.

Mid-Test Performance & Heat

Next came 4K video rendering — something I do often when editing content. This phase really separates the cool-running phones from the hotheads. The S25 Ultra hit 99°F, while both iPhones ran hot, peaking over 106°F, and slowing down their render speeds significantly.

By the halfway mark:

Vivo X Fold 5 led with 65% remaining
Honor Magic V5 followed at 63%
Z Fold 7 impressed at 61%
iPhones trailed around 49–58%

The real shocker? The Pixel 10 Pro fell behind its older sibling, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

The Final Stretch

As hours ticked by, the weaker batteries began to fade:

iPhone 16 Pro tapped out first at 8 hours, 5 minutes
Pixel 10 Pro followed at 8 hours, 22 minutes
Honor Magic V3 held strong at 8 hours, 44 minutes
S25 Ultra exited at 8 hours, 46 minutes
Z Fold 7 stunned everyone, surviving 9 hours, 44 minutes

That’s right — the Z Fold 7, often criticized for average endurance, outlasted its Ultra sibling by nearly an hour!

Then came the top contenders. The iPhone 17 Pro lasted 9 hours, 26 minutes, while the Vivo X Fold 5 made it to 11 hours, 11 minutes. But the Honor Magic V5 pushed just a bit further, taking the win at 11 hours and 22 minutes — an incredible performance considering its slightly smaller 5820 mAh battery versus Vivo’s 6000 mAh.

Final Rankings

Rank	Device	Battery Size (mAh)	Total Runtime
🥇 1st	Honor Magic V5	5820 mAh	11 hrs 22 min
🥈 2nd	Vivo X Fold 5	6000 mAh	11 hrs 11 min
🥉 3rd	Samsung Z Fold 7	4400 mAh	9 hrs 44 min
4th	iPhone 17 Pro	~3998 mAh (est.)	9 hrs 26 min
5th	Samsung S25 Ultra	5000 mAh	8 hrs 46 min
6th	Honor Magic V3	5150 mAh	8 hrs 44 min
7th	Pixel 9 Pro Fold	4650 mAh	8 hrs 22 min
8th	Pixel 10 Pro	4870 mAh	8 hrs 22 min
9th	iPhone 16 Pro	~3582 mAh (est.)	8 hrs 05 min

Takeaways

This test reinforced one big truth: real-world battery life isn’t just about capacity. Optimization, cooling, and software efficiency make a massive difference. The Honor Magic V5 and Vivo X Fold 5 showed that foldables can go the distance, and the Z Fold 7 shocked me with how far it’s come in endurance.

Meanwhile, Apple’s iPhones, while efficient, seem to struggle under extended heavy use, especially when heat builds up. And Google’s latest Pixel still has some catching up to do.

But again — your mileage may vary. Different settings, apps, or usage patterns will lead to different results. This was one creator’s attempt to simulate a demanding day across multiple flagship devices — not a lab test, just a real-world stress test to see who survives the grind.

So what do you think — were you surprised by the outcome? Which one do you think deserves the battery crown? Drop your thoughts below, and stay tuned for my next video: the charging speed test to see which of these phones powers back up the fastest.

iPhone 17 Pro vs. Samsung’s Z Fold 7 and S25 Ultra: Who Wins Where?

If you bounce between Apple and Samsung (like half the U.S. tech world), this one’s for you. I put the iPhone 17 Pro up against Samsung’s Z Fold 7 and S25 Ultra, covering design, day-and-night cameras, real-world performance, battery, and everyday usability. Spoiler: each phone lands solid punches—but not always where you’d expect.

Design & in-hand feel

Side by side, all three look premium, full stop. Apple stretches a camera bar across the back of the 17 Pro; Samsung keeps the familiar trio of circles on the Ultra and a stacked column on Fold. The Fold’s hinge makes it look chunkier, but a quick “level test” (resting a level across both phones) showed an interesting twist: with the camera humps out of the equation, Z Fold 7 came off slightly thinner than iPhone 17 Pro; add camera stacks back in and the Fold becomes the thiccc boi. Weight-wise, 17 Pro feels the most svelte in the pocket; S25 Ultra, being a big slab, feels every millimeter.

Button layouts matter more than we admit. Apple splits controls—Action + volume on one side, power + camera key on the other—while Samsung clusters power/volume together. If you swap platforms often, your thumbs will need a week to re-learn muscle memory. Also, corners: Apple is rounder this year; Samsung keeps its squared shoulders. My palms prefer Apple’s softened edges; your mileage may vary.

Displays, layouts & quality-of-life

On a lock screen, Apple’s 3D “over/under” clock effect is still the cleanest trick in town. Once unlocked, both platforms now do widgets, stacks, and customizable controls. Samsung still gives you more freedom to size and place folders, sprinkle empty grid space, and tune quick settings; iOS counters with gorgeous “liquid glass” animations and tighter coherence.

Brightness outdoors? All three punch hard in sunlight. Foldables used to be glare magnets; with a proper screen protector, Z Fold 7 stays highly usable. And yes, you can just tap the Fold’s side fingerprint/power key and you’re straight in—no swipe. Small win, big daily feel.

The camera face-off (day, night, and zoom)

Daylight, standard lens. Z Fold 7 carries a 200 MP main; iPhone 17 Pro runs 48 MP across its trio; S25 Ultra brings the usual “everything and the kitchen sink.” In wide shots with complex detail (grass, bark, bricks), the iPhone often looks cleaner at a glance—crisp micro-contrast and balanced HDR. Crop deep and the Fold can sometimes claw back detail thanks to that huge sensor, but it doesn’t consistently look sharper in whole-image viewing.

Mid zoom (4–10x). Apple’s 4x tele this year is the surprise hero. At 4x and 10x, signage edges, roof tiles, and window lines stayed better defined on the 17 Pro than on the Fold’s 10 MP tele. The S25 Ultra’s 10x dedicated optic does well but still doesn’t look as clean as Apple’s 48 MP tele pipeline in several shots. Color science? Samsung leans warmer or more saturated depending on scene; Apple’s a touch bright but keeps edges tidy.

Long zoom (20–40x). Nobody buys a phone for 40x, but we tested anyway. iPhone remains the most pleasant at 40x—with fewer AI squiggles—while the Fold softens. The Ultra can reach farther, of course, but “reach” isn’t the same as “usable.” Count this category closer than spec sheets suggest.

Night shots. On a backyard portrait under warm lights, Pixel-peepers will see 17 Pro stay bright and clean; Z Fold 7 darkens more, with less micro-detail; S25 Ultra usually splits the difference. Street scenes showed Apple keeping blinds, bricks, and tree needles a bit tidier at identical focal lengths, while Samsung sometimes added flare or mush in deep shadows. Bottom line: 17 Pro is the safer pick after dark; Ultra improves on Fold but doesn’t outshine Apple consistently.

Video & microphones

Walking shots at 4K look steady across all three; transitions from shade to sun are smooth. Mic behavior differs: sometimes Samsung grabs more ambience, Apple tends to prioritize voice clarity. You can tune this in post either way; out-of-camera I’d pick 17 Pro for a “shoot and send” clip and Samsung if you plan to sweeten in editing.

Real-world performance (rendering test, not synthetic scores)

Benchmarks are fun; exports pay the bills. I used the same 4K clip and exported from InShot on all devices, matching settings (the iPhone compresses more by design, so the MB target was smaller there). Results were…spicy:

Z Fold 7 finished first.
S25 Ultra was a close second.
Honor Magic V5 (my wild card) followed shortly.
iPhone 17 Pro came in last—over twice the Z Fold’s time on this run.

Before the pitchforks: background apps were closed; this was the same footage, same timeline. Apple used to dominate creator exports; modern Android silicon with aggressive thermal envelopes and AI assist is flying right now. If rendering time matters to you, Samsung has an edge.

Battery life

iPhone 17 Pro: the efficiency king. Smaller pack, bigger endurance. I routinely finished with ~70% in my use.
S25 Ultra: big battery, strong finisher (~60% left for me).
Z Fold 7: the price of two displays—expect to plug in nightly (~30% by bedtime). If you live in split-screen, carry a charger.

Entertainment & speakers

YouTube on the Fold’s outer screen already feels roomier; open it up and it’s a mini-tablet. Landscape or portrait, the Fold’s speaker separation is excellent because they’re on opposite sides of that big canvas. Volume? S25 Ultra is the loudest; iPhone 17 Pro is close, with the most balanced tonality; the Fold does well considering its skinny chassis.

Multitasking and “living with it”

This is where the Fold flexes—literally. Split screen on the cover display, floating windows inside, app pairs on a sidebar, and quick drag-overs make messaging while browsing dead simple. Apple’s single-app focus is elegant, but when you actually work on your phone, Samsung’s multitasking is a quality-of-life upgrade.

So…which should you buy?

Pick iPhone 17 Pro if you want:

Consistently clean photos (especially at night and mid-zoom)
The best battery efficiency here
Refined haptics, UI polish, and that new telephoto that punches above its spec

Pick S25 Ultra if you want:

A big canvas without folding, the loudest speakers, and “everything” cameras
Excellent all-day battery with Samsung’s customization power

Pick Z Fold 7 if you want:

Real multitasking, a pocketable tablet for video and productivity, and shockingly fast 4K exports
A unique experience you simply can’t get from a slab—period

If you’re a creator or power user, Samsung’s speed and split-screen superpowers may sway you. If you value camera reliability in tough light and unbeatable battery, the iPhone 17 Pro is still a rock. And if you’ve ever wanted to replace “phone + iPad” with one device, the Fold makes a compelling case. Your move.

iPhone 17 Pro vs. a Modern Foldable: Can a Hinged Upstart Really Beat Apple?

Some of you are already shaking your heads—“A foldable competing with an iPhone? Please.” I get it. Foldables earned an early reputation for being chunky, delicate, and a step behind on cameras. But the landscape has changed fast. To prove it, I put Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro (sleek unibody aluminum) up against the Honor Magic V5 (titanium frame)—a current-gen book-style foldable that doesn’t flinch at flagship comparisons. In a bunch of real-world tests—from photo zoom and night shots to app exports and everyday usability—the iPhone wins some, but it absolutely doesn’t run the table.

Design & everyday feel

Both phones feel premium, just in different ways. The 17 Pro keeps things classic with a cool-to-the-touch aluminum body and Apple’s clean lines. The Honor leans “statement piece”: bigger camera island, titanium frame, and that party trick hinge. Thickness? With the Honor folded it looks beefier, but on paper the gap is tiny—8.9 mm (Honor) vs 8.8 mm (iPhone). The iPhone packs more external buttons—including the new camera button and the programmable Action button—which I like in theory but occasionally press by accident. The Honor’s power-button unlock on the outer display is instant in-pocket convenience; tap, boom, you’re in.

Displays & outdoor visibility

“Foldable cover screens are cramped.” That used to be true. Not here. The Honor’s outer panel (≈6.4″) is a normal phone experience; open it up and you’re in tablet territory. The iPhone’s 6.3″ OLED is a beauty with Apple’s famous color tuning. Outside, both get very bright. Apple quotes 3,000 nits peak; Honor advertises 5,000 nits. In actual sun, the difference isn’t dramatic—both were readable pointed straight at the sky. If glare bugs you, a matte protector helps either phone.

Camera myths, meet reality

This is the part people don’t expect. I shot side-by-side daytime scenes, mid-range zoom, long-range zoom, and night mode.

Daylight (main cameras): The iPhone’s 48 MP binned to 24 MP delivers the familiar crisp “Apple look.” The Honor’s 50 MP (and smart processing) kept up, often showing a touch more texture in bark, grass, and fine edges. Call it a draw for most shots.
Mid-zoom (4–6×): The iPhone’s new 4× periscope is a welcome leap from last gen. The Honor’s 6× equivalent periscope, however, pulled slightly cleaner detail and richer micro-contrast on small objects—think siding, shingles, and tree needles.
Long zoom (40×): This one shocked me. At 40×—the iPhone’s max—the Honor produced a more usable photo with straighter lines and less mush. The iPhone’s 40× looked more watercolor. If you love punching in on faraway subjects, the foldable has range.
Night shots: Portraits and neighborhood scenes show Apple’s warmer bias and strong stabilization. The Honor often rendered finer texture (tree bark, gravel, window blinds) with more neutral color. Lens flare is still an iPhone quirk under streetlights; the Honor kept artifacts better controlled.

Bottom line: no, a bar phone does not automatically beat a modern foldable. In several camera scenarios—especially zoom—the foldable edged ahead.

Video & audio

All the standard stuff—4K/30, smooth stabilization, quick focus—looked great on both. Audio is where the form factors diverge. The iPhone’s slab gives you a slightly fuller, bassier sound. The Honor’s larger spread means wider stereo separation when it’s open, which is awesome for movies at arm’s length. I still use earbuds either way.

Real-world performance (not benchmarks)

Rather than synthetic scores, I ran my usual creator test in InShot:

Auto-cut the pauses in a ~4-minute clip.
Export in 4K.

The iPhone’s A19 Pro blitzed the pause-cut pass. But on the full 4K export, the Honor’s Elite-class chipset finished in a little over half the iPhone’s time—with both phones running only that app. File sizes and settings were matched as closely as the apps allow. Surprised? Me too. Moral: depending on the workload, the foldable can flat-out fly.

Big screen life (the secret sauce)

“Crease!” is the first word skeptics throw out. On good foldables, viewed straight-on, it fades into the content. The payoff dwarfs the nitpick:

Video: A YouTube clip on the Honor’s inner screen is tablet-big without grabbing a tablet. The iPhone’s panel is lovely, just… smaller.
Multitasking: This is the game changer. On the Honor I can snap two apps side-by-side in seconds, float a third as a resizable bubble, and keep a chat hovering while I browse. On iPhone, true split-screen between two different apps still isn’t a thing. If you live in calendars, docs, maps, and messages at once, the foldable’s workflow is addictive.

Durability & the “fragile” label

Modern foldables are nothing like Gen-1. Hinge gaps are gone, dust resistance is up, and the inner layer feels sturdier. You still shouldn’t treat it like a beach shovel, but normal phone life? It holds up. Plenty of owners are two or three foldables deep with zero failures.

“But Apple’s making one…”

Exactly. If foldables were a fad, Apple wouldn’t bother. Rumors peg a first-gen iPhone fold with a smaller inner display than today’s Android leaders and a compact outer screen. Specs are still murky—and first-gen Apple hardware is usually conservative—but the signal is clear: foldables are here to stay.

So… which should you buy?

Choose iPhone 17 Pro if you want Apple’s ecosystem polish, slightly fuller speakers, class-leading one-hand slab ergonomics, and a big leap in iPhone zoom versus last year. It’s the safest all-around choice.
Choose a flagship foldable like the Honor Magic V5 if you crave screen real estate, true multitasking, and long-range zoom that’s actually usable. The fact that it can out-export an iPhone in a creator workflow is the cherry on top.

The surprise isn’t that the iPhone 17 Pro is great—it is. The surprise is how often a modern foldable matches or beats it. If you wrote off foldables years ago, it might be time to take another look… or at least brace for Apple’s own hinge to swing open next year.

iPhone 17 Pro vs. Pixel 10 Pro: Same Size, Different Vibes (and a Few Big Surprises)

If you’ve been around smartphones long enough to remember the Steve-Jobs-era court battles, you know Apple and Google have been shadowboxing for more than a decade. Fast-forward to today and the rivalry is still spicy—just tidier. I spent time with the iPhone 17 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro side-by-side, shot a bunch of photos and video, ran a real-world performance test, and even checked Wi-Fi speeds. Here’s the fun, no-fluff breakdown to help you decide which one belongs in your pocket.

Design, size, and in-hand feel

On paper both phones are 6.3 inches. In hand, the Pixel looks a hair taller while the iPhone feels a touch wider thanks to slimmer bezels around its Dynamic Island cutout versus the Pixel’s punch-hole. Thickness is basically a rounding error—my level test (yes, literally a hardware level) shows the iPhone sitting a smidge higher. Weight is a wash; both feel light for their class.

Buttons are where personalities diverge. The iPhone scatters controls across both sides—volume, an Action button, a camera control, and power on the opposite edge. It’s powerful but easy to mis-press. Pixel keeps it minimalist: everything on one side; the other edge is clean. If you value simplicity, Pixel’s layout wins. If you like programmable tricks, iPhone’s Action button is your playground.

Both have gently rounded frames that ditch the slabby, square-edge era. Your palms will thank you.

Software & customization

iPhone 17 Pro (iOS 26): Still iOS, just smoother. Widgets are finally first-class citizens and Apple’s “liquid glass” animations make the OS feel fluid. The App Library is handy, though Apple insists on auto-sorting it their way.
Pixel 10 Pro (Android 16 on Pixel): Clean, fast, and (still) more flexible than iOS for layout and defaults. The Google feed to the left of home is a great one-stop info board. That said, the persistent Google search bar and date block eat space you might want for widgets.

Bottom line: both are pleasant and polished; Pixel gives you a bit more room to be you, iPhone gives you a bit more polish and consistency.

Specs snapshot

RAM: iPhone 17 Pro ships with 12 GB; Pixel 10 Pro brings 16 GB (helpful for heavy AI and multitasking).
Battery: Pixel’s cell is notably larger on paper. Real-world endurance will depend on your apps and camera use.
Selfie cams: Pixel packs a 42 MP sensor; iPhone uses an 18 MP unit—but iPhone adds Center Stage on the front cam (auto-framing and auto-widening when someone joins the shot).

Cameras: daylight, zoom, macro, and night

Daylight detail

Both phones deliver excellent dynamic range and color. Pixel skews slightly cooler and punchy; iPhone leans warmer and a bit richer. Edges are crisp on either—choose your color vibe.

Mid-zoom (3–5×)

At 3× and 5× the two trade blows. Pixel often looks a touch clearer on distant signage; iPhone sometimes produces nicer contrast. Preferences will vary by scene.

Long zoom (10×–40×)

At 10× both are usable. Push farther and the Pixel shines: at 40× it produced surprisingly clean, straight-lined shots that are genuinely usable. The iPhone holds its own but the Pixel’s long-zoom processing is special.

Macro & close-ups

Both macro modes are fun and effective. The iPhone locked focus beautifully on a super-close praying mantis; the Pixel grabbed lovely detail on bees and wet leaves. Either phone can capture share-worthy close-ups with minimal fuss.

Night shots & portraits

At night, both stabilize well but their looks diverge:

Pixel often keeps skies darker and reveals more star detail, with fewer odd artifacts.
iPhone sometimes introduces warmer tones and lens flare around lights; in a few scenes it showed minor artifacting that likely needs a software tune-up.

Night portraits favored the Pixel for clarity; iPhone leaned warm and creamy.

Video

Daylight video at 4K looked great from both—smooth transitions when panning from shade to sun, and steady stabilization without a gimbal. Night video zoom is tougher for both; keep expectations realistic if you’re pushing past mid-zoom after dark.

Real-world performance test (video export)

To keep things honest, I ran the same 8:53 video through InShot on both phones, used the same AI “remove pauses” pass, then exported at 4K.

iPhone 17 Pro finished first at ~4:03.
Pixel 10 Pro trailed by roughly a minute.

The iPhone’s A19 Pro chip flexes in heavy sustained tasks like export. (In my broader tests this year, Honor’s Magic V5 is a rocket ship, but that’s a story for another post.)

Connectivity: Wi-Fi check

With a strong fiber connection about 15 feet from the router, the iPhone consistently posted higher down/up results in my tests. Both were fast enough for anything, but the iPhone’s radio stack felt a bit steadier. I’ll share cellular findings after more eSIM time, but historically both perform well on major US carriers.

Pricing & storage

Pixel 10 Pro: starts at $999
iPhone 17 Pro: starts at $1,099

Both start at 256 GB (finally). Expect typical trade-in promos to narrow the gap either way.

So…which should you buy?

Pick the iPhone 17 Pro if you want:

The fastest creator-class performance today (video exports fly).
Apple’s tight ecosystem and polished iOS 26 animations.
A warm, punchy photo look, excellent macro, and reliable stabilization.
Center Stage on the selfie cam for auto-framing family clips.

Pick the Pixel 10 Pro if you want:

A cleaner, simpler hardware layout and a more flexible UI.
Outstanding long-zoom results (seriously good at 40×).
Cooler, natural-leaning photos that often preserve distant detail.
Big battery + 16 GB RAM for AI multitasking.

My take: These two are closer than ever. If you live in Apple’s world and do lots of 4K exporting, the iPhone 17 Pro earns its keep. If you’re a detail chaser who loves zooming, or you prefer Google’s simpler, “let me customize” approach, the Pixel 10 Pro is a joy—and a little easier on the wallet.

What do you think? Team iPhone or Team Pixel this round? Drop your vote and your own sample shots in the comments. And if you want the deep-dive camera crops and export timings, I’ve got those queued up for the next post—hit subscribe so you don’t miss it.

iPhone 17 Pro vs iPhone 16 Pro vs iPhone Air: Is It Worth Upgrading?

Apple has rolled out its latest lineup — the iPhone 17 Pro and the brand-new iPhone Air — alongside last year’s iPhone 16 Pro. At first glance, all three look similar in software and design language, but when you dig deeper, key differences start to emerge. Let’s break down what sets these models apart, what’s improved, and whether it’s worth making the jump.

Display and Sizes

The iPhone Air introduces a 6.5-inch display, compared to the 6.3-inch iPhone 17 Pro. For those who prefer even larger screens, the Pro Max offers 6.9 inches. Apple no longer makes a “Plus” model, which used to slot between the standard and the Max sizes at 6.7 inches. That gap has now been filled by the Air, which feels bigger in the hand than its 6.5 inches suggest, thanks to its thinner profile.

All three models feature Apple’s Dynamic Island — the notch replacement that’s become standard — along with familiar button placements, including the customizable Action Button and the dedicated camera/zoom control.

Build and Weight

Here’s where things diverge:

iPhone Air – Built with glass and titanium, it’s slim, modern, and surprisingly light, despite its larger size.
iPhone 17 Pro – Constructed from unibody aluminum, giving it a solid, durable feel but with more weight compared to the Air.

That difference in materials also changes how the phones handle heat and battery placement. The Pro uses its aluminum body to house a redesigned internal chamber, allowing for a bigger battery and improved cooling.

Cameras

At the heart of these phones is the camera system — and here the choice might steer your decision.

iPhone 17 Pro: Upgraded zoom lens with a 48MP sensor, offering up to 40x video zoom. That’s a huge jump over the iPhone 16 Pro’s 25x zoom cap, making the 17 Pro a powerhouse for long-distance photography.
iPhone 16 Pro: Still solid with its 12MP zoom, but maxes out at 25x zoom in video.
iPhone Air: Takes a step back by dropping the Ultra-Wide camera and moving to a single-lens system with 48MP. It still supports a 2x digital/optical blend zoom, but it can’t match the versatility of the Pro models.

In daylight and casual shots, the Air keeps up surprisingly well, but serious photographers will likely notice the missing Ultra-Wide option.

New Selfie Tricks: Center Stage on iPhone Air (and 17 Pro)

The Center Stage selfie experience is genuinely useful:

It widens the frame when another person enters, then re-centers you when they leave.
It works in photo and video, but note: if you force rotation manually, you’ll temporarily disable Center Stage—toggle it back on in the UI. Once set, it tracks reliably (with a tiny delay if it’s “deciding” whether someone’s staying in frame).

If you shoot family clips or FaceTime a lot, you’ll love it.

Performance

The iPhone 17 Pro introduces the A19 Pro chip, a step above the A18 Pro in the iPhone 16. The gains in speed and efficiency are there, but in day-to-day use — browsing, messaging, and app performance — the difference is almost imperceptible. Power users, especially gamers and editors, will get more mileage from the 17 Pro’s enhancements.

Photography Tests

In side-by-side comparisons:

Daylight shots: All three produce sharp, clear photos, with slightly different color balances (the newer models leaning warmer/yellower, while the 16 Pro feels brighter).
Zoom tests: The 17 Pro’s 48mp 4x zoom larger sensor should be unmatched, with detail that edges out even the 16 Pro, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. In many cases the 16 Pro outperformed the 17. The Air performs decently at 2x but falls behind at long distances since it lacks telephoto hardware.
Macro: The Pro models excel with crisp close-ups, while the Air struggles to get as close, though its single camera still delivers respectable clarity.
Night mode: All three do well in standard night shots, but the 16 Pro sometimes appears slightly brighter than the 17 Pro. Zooming at night, however, highlights the Air’s limitations — it quickly gets noisy and pixelated.

Video Performance

Video remains Apple’s strong point. Shooting in 4K at 30fps, all three models deliver smooth results with good stabilization. The Air allows up to 6x video zoom, while the 16 Pro caps at 25x and the 17 Pro stretches all the way to 40x. At night, though, zoom quality diminishes across all models, and lens flaring is more noticeable on the newer phones.

So…Should You Upgrade?

iPhone 16 Pro → iPhone 17 Pro

Upgrade for: the new 48MP 4× tele, slightly brighter display, revised thermal design, and the updated camera island aesthetic.
Skip if: your 16 Pro still slaps (it does). Day-to-day speed and main-camera photos aren’t radically different.

From anything older → iPhone Air

The Air is the sleeper hit. It’s bigger (6.5″), way thinner, and much lighter, yet takes excellent photos thanks to that 48MP main and clever 2× crop. You lose the dedicated tele and some macro versatility, but for most people’s albums, the Air’s results look fantastic—and it’s a joy to hold.

From anything older → iPhone 17 Pro

You’ll get the best all-around camera system (especially mid-zoom and macro), premium build, and long runway of performance. If you shoot a lot beyond 2×, the Pro is still the move.

Bottom Line

Photographers / zoom and macro fans: iPhone 17 Pro (or keep your 16 Pro if you’re happy).
Most people who value comfort, size, and price: iPhone Air. It’s the most fun to carry and shockingly capable.
Already on a 16 Pro and not desperate for new toys? You can safely wait.

Apple has streamlined its lineup by dropping the Plus and slotting in the Air, and it feels like a smart move. But whether it’s worth upgrading depends on how much you value camera versatility and materials versus slimness and weight.

iPhone 17 Pro & iPhone Air: First Impressions With a Surprise Guest

Apple has dropped not one, but two major updates this year—the iPhone 17 Pro and the all-new iPhone Air—and I got my hands on both. But instead of just giving you the usual tech-heavy rundown, I decided to bring in a special guest: my wife Beth. She’s been a loyal iPhone user for years, not a hardcore techie, but what I’d call the perfect “average iPhone user.” And her reactions to these new designs may surprise you.

Meeting the 17 Pro

We started with the iPhone 17 Pro. Fresh out of the box, the first thing Beth noticed was the camera system. Unlike older iPhones, which had a smaller cutout for the lenses, the 17 Pro’s entire top panel is one solid piece. It looks sleeker and feels sturdier. Apple did this not just for looks—it allows more room inside for a bigger battery and a cooling chamber, which should help the phone run cooler during heavy use.

Beth picked it up and immediately commented that it felt different—slightly thicker and taller than her current model, though still comfortable. For me, the standout design detail was the way the Pro uses a unibody back panel. No more “glued-on” camera square. Everything feels more integrated.

And let’s talk brightness. The iPhone 17 Pro now hits 3,000 nits, compared to the 16 Pro’s 2,000. Translation: it’s going to handle sunlight like a champ. When we powered it on, Beth admitted she was surprised at how light it felt—though in reality, it’s actually a bit heavier than the Air. The trick is the new titanium frame, which adds strength without making the phone feel like a brick.

Her one gripe? Button placement. The new Action Button sits too close to the volume keys, so in a case, it’s easy to hit the wrong one. Small detail, but if you’re an everyday user, those things matter.

First Look at the iPhone Air

Then came the real curveball: the iPhone Air. Beth hadn’t even heard Apple was releasing this model, so her reaction was 100% genuine.

The Air lives up to its name—it’s incredibly thin and light. I mean, when you hold it next to the 17 Pro, the difference is dramatic. Despite having a 6.5-inch screen (slightly bigger than the Pro’s 6.3-inch), it feels smaller in the hand because of how slim and lightweight it is.

Beth’s first words: “Wow, that thin and light.”

The Air’s design keeps things minimal. One single 48MP camera on the back (with 2x optical zoom and digital zoom beyond that) instead of the Pro’s full triple-camera system. The panel is also a unibody, just like the 17 Pro, but even more seamless. Yes, you lose the dedicated telephoto and ultrawide shooters—but you also gain a phone that feels more like an everyday carry than a mini-tablet.

For Beth, who doesn’t obsess over multiple camera lenses, the Air instantly felt like “her kind of iPhone.” The lighter weight, thinner profile, and simplicity really won her over. And Apple sweetened the deal by giving every Air model 256GB of storage standard, a huge upgrade over last year’s 128GB base.

Camera & Features

Both phones share that 48MP main camera, but only the Pro gives you all the extra versatility with multiple lenses. The Air uses smart software zoom and cropping instead. Beth admitted she doesn’t mind—she just wants to point, shoot, and get a good picture.

Both devices also include Apple’s “Center Stage” for selfies and video calls, which automatically widens or tracks as people enter the frame. Beth actually got excited about this, saying it would make group selfies way easier.

Wrapping It Up

So what’s the takeaway? If you’re a power user who lives on your phone for photography, video editing, and pushing performance, the iPhone 17 Pro is the obvious choice. But if you want a phone that feels incredibly light, slim, and easy to use—without giving up Apple’s newest performance chip or screen tech—the iPhone Air may be the sleeper hit of the year.

Beth’s natural first impression said it all: “I would prefer the Air. It’s very nice and light, and slim, and just easier.”

For me, I’ll be diving deeper into performance, cameras, and real-world usability in upcoming videos. But for now, it’s clear Apple’s shaking up the lineup. The Plus is gone, the Air is here, and iPhone users suddenly have more meaningful choices.

Which one do you think fits your lifestyle—the powerhouse Pro or the feather-light Air?

Z Fold 7 vs. Pixel Fold (9 Pro & 10 Pro): which book-style foldable nails it in 2025?

If you’re choosing between Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Google’s Pixel 9 Pro Fold—with the incoming Pixel 10 Pro Fold hovering just offstage—this breakdown is for you. The short version: Google’s 10 Pro Fold will add a newer chip (Tensor G5), a slightly larger battery, and full IP68 dust/water resistance. Otherwise it’s effectively the 9 Pro Fold you can buy today. With that cleared up, let’s go head-to-head with the device you’ll actually be cross-shopping: Z Fold 7 vs. Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

Hardware & in-hand feel

Size & shape. Z Fold 7 is a touch taller and narrower; Pixel Fold is shorter and wider. That alone drives a lot of the experience: Samsung’s cover screen feels more “phone-like” than older Folds, while Pixel’s wider cover screen is easier for typing and one-hand use.

Edges & comfort. Pixel’s sides are rounded and friendly to the palm. Z Fold 7 keeps sharper edges and corners; it looks slick, but after long sessions you may find yourself shifting your grip.

Camera bump & table wobble. Samsung’s vertical triple-camera strip rocks like a seesaw on a desk. Pixel’s square island keeps things flatter and steadier.

Hinge & bezels. Samsung trimmed the hinge noticeably; Pixel’s hinge is still more pronounced (the 10 Pro Fold will slim this a bit). Think closer to OnePlus Open for how tight a modern hinge can look.

Glare & protectors. My Pixel unit had no anti-reflective top layer, so it reflects more; the Samsung I tested wore an anti-reflective protector and stayed calmer under lights.

Cover & inner displays

Both panels are 120 Hz and smooth. Indoors they’re peers; outdoors the Samsung looked brighter in my side-by-side. With brightness maxed, Pixel’s wallpaper choice can make it seem dimmer still.

When opened, layouts are flexible on both, but what you’re allowed to do with those big canvases differs a lot (next section).

Software & customization: tight vs. tuned

Home screen freedom. Google keeps things opinionated:

The At-a-Glance widget and Google search bar are stuck in place.
Folders have one layout size.
No stacked widgets on the main page.

Samsung lets you hide the search bar, resize folders, and stack widgets. It’s simply more customizable.

Side panel & multitasking. This is the biggest split.

Z Fold 7: Swipe in from the edge for the taskbar/panel, drag apps to split, save app pairs, and even float multiple windows that you can place and resize anywhere. It’s laptop-like.
Pixel Fold: No native side panel. To split, open one app, then drag a second from the dock or app drawer. You can save pairs, but there’s no floating window option and fewer drag-drop gestures. Third-party edge panels help, but they can’t replace Samsung’s deep integration.

If you bought a foldable for multitasking, Samsung’s ahead by a mile.

AI & keyboards

Both lean on Google’s Gemini for text help (rewrite, summarize, tone changes, proofreading). On Samsung you’ll find extra Galaxy AI niceties sprinkled around, but the core “write better, faster” tools are similar.

Dictation has improved on Samsung’s own keyboard, but I still like Gboard for accuracy. If you do stick with Samsung Keyboard, its AI buttons are right where you want them—one tap away.

Photo apps & editing tricks

Samsung: Long-press a subject in the Gallery to create an instant cutout, move it, drop it onto another photo, or save it as a transparent PNG. Generative fills are quick; Samsung watermarks AI-generated edits.
Pixel: You’ll dive into Edit → Actions for tools like Move and Magic Editor–style generative fills. Different path, similar result; Pixel did a nice job of shifting and filling background when I re-centered a portrait.

Verdict: both are capable; Samsung’s “long-press to cut out” is delightfully fast, Pixel’s “Move” feels precise.

Cameras: night wins, day detail, and zoom reality

Night video (selfie & rear). Both were usable, but Samsung looked cleaner and brighter, with more detail; Pixel’s audio emphasized my voice and downplayed ambient noise, which is great if you just want to shoot-and-share.

Night stills. Repeatedly, the 200 MP main on Samsung held highlight signs better and kept more texture in trees and brickwork. Pixel sometimes blew bright signage and leaned warmer/saturated.

2×–5× zoom. At 5×, both switch to their 10 MP telephotos. Pixel’s dedicated 5× optic can look a touch crisper at that mark; Samsung’s overall processing is more natural.

10× and beyond. With both leaning on crop + processing from lower-res telephotos, don’t expect “flagship periscope” quality. Still, Samsung kept edges straighter and text cleaner in my street sign tests; Pixel occasionally looked punchier but less true.

Day portrait. Samsung pulled slightly ahead on micro-detail (hair, fabric). Pixel nailed color on my brown shirt better than Samsung’s near-black interpretation.

Macro & close-ups. A split decision: Pixel sometimes looked brighter and tack-sharp on tiny subjects; Samsung’s bokeh separation felt more natural.

Check out the Photos Here:

Speakers & audio placement

The Z Fold 7 is louder with more low-end. However, Samsung puts both drivers on the same side when opened. Pixel cleverly flips speakers with orientation, so you always get true left/right stereo no matter how you’re holding it. Design win to Pixel; loudness win to Samsung.

What about Pixel 10 Pro Fold?

Expect the same body and cameras as 9 Pro Fold, plus:

Tensor G5 (snappier and more efficient)
Slightly larger battery
IP68 dust/water resistance (first for a major foldable)

Those are welcome—but they won’t change the multitasking gap or the camera behavior you saw above in a dramatic way unless Google ships major image-processing updates (which they could also backport).

Final take

If your foldable is mostly a phone that sometimes opens, the Pixel’s wider cover screen, softer edges, and smart stereo layout make it a pleasure to hold and use. If your foldable is a tablet you work on, the Z Fold 7 simply does more: brighter inner screen outdoors, best-in-class multitasking with floating windows, deeper home-screen control, louder speakers, and a night-and-detail camera edge thanks to that 200 MP sensor.

Price matters, and Samsung usually runs about $200 more. For me, the productivity and camera gains are worth it. If you prize comfort, wide cover typing, and Google’s cleaner vibe, the Pixel Fold is still a lovely choice—made even better if you wait for the 10 Pro Fold’s IP68 and newer silicon.

Which way are you leaning—wide and comfy, or bright and beastly? Drop your must-have features below, and tell me what matchup you want next.