Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra vs. Pixel 11 Pro Fold Camera Test: Which Foldable Takes Better Photos?

Foldable phone cameras have long had a bad rap, with many consumers feeling they fall short of what's available on premium slab phones. That hesitation is understandable, as early folables had less room for larger image sensors and lenses, meaning their cameras were good but not great. But the photography capabilities of foldables such as the Galaxy Z Fold series and Pixel Fold have improved significantly over the past couple of years.

The cameras on Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra match the rear optics on the top-of-the-line Galaxy S26 Ultra (hence the "Ultra" title on both phones). The Fold 8 Ultra also has selfie cameras on the cover and inside screens, while the S26 Ultra has a second telephoto lens. Meanwhile, Google's Pixel 11 Pro Fold falls slightly short of the top-tier camera specs found on the non-folding Pixel 11 Pro models, but it still delivers impressive results.

Samsung's and Google's latest foldables, which received solid ratings in CNET's reviews, demonstrate how manufacturers are increasingly finding ways to merge form and function. It's no longer necessary to sacrifice camera quality or battery life for a sleek, cutting-edge build. Despite the challenges of packing high-end hardware into a foldable, today's devices can turn heads with their design without skimping on camera performance — for the most part.

That's a welcome advancement, given the sky-high price of foldable phones . The Z Fold 8 Ultra starts at $2,100, while the Pixel 11 Pro Fold begins at $1,899. Both are available to buy now.

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I took the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra and Pixel 11 Pro Fold for a spin around town to see how the cameras on these premium Android foldables compare. The results show where each camera shines and occasionally falls short.

Pixel 11 Pro Fold vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra photo comparison

These photos of a painted wall sign demonstrate each camera's specialty. The Pixel 11 Pro Fold image has a more uniform, level brightness throughout, with golden sunlight streaming through the trees. The red brick takes on a relatively soft hue, which extends to the colors and letters of the painted sign.

Meanwhile, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra image has more sharpness and saturation. There's a starker contrast in the foliage illuminated by sunlight, while the bricks and painted letters take on a more crisp appearance. While that can be a good thing, I prefer the overall softness of the Pixel 11 Pro Fold image here, which is easier on the eyes and lends itself to the mural's antique nature.

This restaurant was dimly lit, making it an ideal and challenging test environment for each camera. The Pixel 11 Pro Fold once again produces a brighter, softer image, doing a good job of illuminating the many components of this delicious bowl of beef ramen.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra image is noticeably darker, which makes the ingredients look less defined. On the other hand, I think it does a better job of capturing more true-to-life colors. Still, I vote for the Pixel image here, which requires less editing and brightening on my end before making the shot Instagram-worthy.

Heading home, I swung by Union Square to snap a few photos. One of the biggest differences between these images is the sky: the clouds captured by the Pixel 11 Pro Fold appear whiter, while they take on a slightly pink hue on the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. Once again, the Pixel tends to brighten the overall shot, while the Galaxy tends to showcase deeper color and saturation.

This is a close one for me. I like the added textures and varied hues in the Galaxy photo, while the subtle brightness in the Pixel image makes it easier to see details in the steps and the palm tree leaves — even if that overall glow feels a bit artificial. Ultimately, though, I give this one to the Pixel.

There's no way to do a 1:1 zoom test between the Pixel 11 Pro Fold and the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, because they have different optical zoom levels. The Pixel tops out at 5x optical zoom, while the Galaxy maxes out at 3x optical zoom. I rarely opt to zoom in beyond 2x or 3x anyway, but here's a peek at how those distances vary. Both zoom levels keep the clock in clear focus, even with nighttime lighting.

Let's shift to daylight. These are two very similar images, making this one a toss-up for me. Both have a slightly ethereal glow as the sunlight beams down through the leaves. There's more of a golden undertone in the Pixel image, but I like the slightly more pigmented-looking greenery in the Galaxy photo as well.

I can't do a camera comparison without throwing in a teacup photo. The pink floral design on the cup, saucer and plate is a bit more defined in the Pixel image, though the background becomes darker as a result.

By comparison, the tea set design is a little less distinct in the Galaxy image, but I prefer the more even lighting across the foreground and background. That brightness helps to offset the cloudy weather outside. For that reason, I'm picking the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra image here.

Final thoughts: Which camera is better?

Both the Pixel 11 Pro Fold and the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra pack impressive cameras that can capture solid photos in various lighting conditions. Which is "better" depends on your preferences and priorities. I found the Pixel did a better job of brightening up low-light environments and maintaining a smooth, balanced overtone in most photos. Meanwhile, the Galaxy tends to punch up colors, saturation and sharpness for added vibrancy. Both those styles can be appealing; it just depends on which look you prefer.

The ultimate takeaway is that if you're considering switching to a foldable phone, you won't have to worry too much about sacrificing image quality. If the Pixel 11 Pro Fold and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra demonstrate anything, it's that a foldable design no longer means compromising on camera performance — even if they do make quite a dent in your wallet.

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