If you want proof that foldable phone cameras have come a long way, look no further than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold. 

For years, design and space constraints on foldables led to scaled-back cameras, resulting in subpar photos. But the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold have surpassed those hardware limitations. Each phone boasts impressive cameras that are on par with what you'll find on more traditional slab phones, which is an impressive feat.

So, how do photos on the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold compare? I took each camera for a spin to see how the phones stack up.  

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First, though, some camera specs. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 has a 200-megapixel wide-angle (just like the S25 Ultra), a 12-megapixel ultrawide and a 10-megapixel telephoto camera on the back. It also has 10-megapixel selfie cameras on the cover and main displays. 

Those specs are especially impressive considering the Z Fold 7 is wildly thin for a foldable, measuring just 4.2mm thick when open and 8.9mm thick when closed. That innovation is reflected in the whopping $2,000 price tag.

Meanwhile, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold has a 48-megapixel wide-angle, 10.5-megapixel ultrawide and a 10.8-megapixel telephoto camera on the back. Additionally, both the cover and inside displays have 10-megapixel selfie cameras. 

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold didn't slim down as much as the Z Fold 7, but it still doesn't feel obtrusively bulky. It's 5.2mm thick when open and 10.8mm thick when closed. The 10 Pro Fold costs $1,799. It also packs some impressive new AI photography features like Camera Coach, which uses Gemini to help you take better photos. 

Camera bumps aren't factored into either phone's measurements, so expect a little extra bulk there — but thankfully, nothing too obtrusive.

Galaxy Z Fold 7 vs. Pixel 10 Pro Fold camera comparison

Let's start off with my favorite way to capture photos: Portrait mode. This helps the subject — in this case, a stunning flower arrangement at The Palace Hotel in San Francisco — stand out and be the clear center of attention. 

Both pictures capture the vibrancy of the floral centerpiece, but the Galaxy Z Fold photo is noticeably brighter. The colors are more vivid in the foreground, and there are fewer shadows between the petals, which helps them stand out more. Even the background in the Galaxy image looks better-lit. The chandeliers look less like a blob of light, and you can actually decipher some of the individual crystals. It's that added level of detail that makes me gravitate toward the Galaxy Z Fold 7 here.

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This comparison is a bit trickier. These images were shot in Portrait mode at 2x zoom.

You'll again notice the Galaxy photo has slightly richer colors, especially when you look at the roses on the teacup. But the shadows are also a little harsher. 

Meanwhile, the Pixel does a good job of brightening up everything from the teacup to the table to the couch in the background. The lighting looks more balanced all around.

Each photo is a winner in my book, but I was forced to choose, I'd go for the better-lit Pixel shot.

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Speaking of portraits, here's one of CNET's Patrick Holland. Both do a good job with focus and lighting, but I like how the Pixel 10 Pro preserves skin tone. Looking closely, you'll see Patrick has a more natural, pink undertone in the Pixel photo, rather than the slightly grey hue on the Galaxy photo. There's also a little more detail on the Pixel shot, which makes me gravitate toward that one. 

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Switching to the selfie camera, the Pixel has a more flattering smoothing effect on my face. Even the flowers on my hijab look a little less granular than they do on the Galaxy shot. And again, my skin tone in the Pixel photo has a more natural-looking pinkish tone, versus the slightly greyer undertone of the Galaxy photo. Also, the shadows are more subdued in the Pixel's shot. So, the Pixel takes the prize here.

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You'll notice a key difference between these images. Even when I'm not shooting in Portrait mode, the Pixel will add a more noticeable bokeh effect to the background. I prefer this look because it helps put the focus on the subject. 

Meanwhile, the Galaxy shot looks a little too busy with both the foreground and background in clearer focus — and I would opt for Portrait mode to help offset that here. But I appreciate the blur on those pillows from the Pixel's main camera. It's the natural bokeh from the lens and I don't need to turn Portrait mode on for it.

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The ultrawide cameras on both the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold do a good job of minimizing distortion, so you don't get a weird fisheye effect. Both phones give a nice sweeping view of this hall. 

The Galaxy photo was taken at .6x zoom, while the Pixel one was shot at .5x zoom — the default settings for each ultrawide camera. There's hardly any discernible difference there.

But once again, what speaks to me is how much brighter the Galaxy image is overall, so I'm giving a point there.

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And finally, let's zoom all the way in to 20x digital zoom.  

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold has a feature called Super Res Zoom, which uses AI to enhance images that are punched in up to 20x, so you don't get a blurry, grainy mess.

Samsung also uses AI to polish zoomed-in photos. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 can move in even closer, up to 30x. But I kept this image at 20x for a 1-to-1 comparison with the Pixel.

This is another example where both the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold carry their weight. The numbers on the clock and the gilded embellishments surrounding the face are sharp enough in each photo, given how close I punched in. The metal on the Pixel photo has a richer gold hue, but the clock face on the Galaxy shot is brighter and shows the lighter specs in greater detail. Ultimately, this one's a toss-up.

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Final thoughts

Both the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold are capable of taking great photos, as evidenced by how split I was throughout this camera comparison. The Z Fold 7 will often serve up brighter images, while the 10 Pro Fold tends to apply a nice smoothing effect to people and objects. I also like how the Pixel's lens naturally adds a more noticeable bokeh effect when you're focused on a subject, so you don't even have to switch to Portrait mode.

Like so many camera comparisons, it boils down to personal preference. But the key takeaway is that you no longer have to compromise on camera quality when opting for a foldable phone. And considering how much they cost, the least you could ask for is some Instagram-worthy shots.