Three foldables now sit in the same price band, and they do not publish the same numbers. This post lines up Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold8 and Fold8 Ultra, Google's Pixel 11 Pro Fold and Apple's iPhone Duo on one footing, then says where each one falls short. Samsung sells two "Fold8" models, so both are included.
This comparison is based on official documentation, published specifications, and vendor pricing verified as of October 26, 2026. It is not based on hands-on use. Where a vendor does not state a figure, the table says "not stated" instead of filling the gap.
Spec table: what each vendor actually publishes
| Spec | Galaxy Z Fold8 | Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra | Pixel 11 Pro Fold | iPhone Duo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inner display | 7.6", 1848 x 2448 | 8.0", 2504 x 2256 | 8", 2076 x 2152, 1-120 Hz | 7.6", ProMotion, 3000 nits peak |
| Outer display | 5.5", 1248 x 1972 | 6.5", 1080 x 2520 | 6.5", 1080 x 2342 | 5.4" |
| Chip | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy | Tensor G6 | A20 Pro |
| RAM | 12 GB (16 GB on 1 TB) | 12 GB (16 GB on 1 TB) | 16 GB | Not stated |
| Rear cameras | 50 MP wide, 50 MP ultrawide | 200 MP wide, 50 MP ultrawide, 10 MP 3x telephoto | 48 MP wide, 10.5 MP ultrawide, 10.8 MP 5x telephoto | 48 MP main, 48 MP ultrawide, no telephoto lens |
| Weight | 201 g | 215 g | 8.4 oz (about 238 g, derived) | Not stated |
| Thickness (unfolded / folded) | 4.5 mm / 9.7 mm | 4.1 mm / 8.9 mm | 0.2 in / 0.4 in (rounded by Google) | Not stated ("thinnest iPhone ever" when open) |
| Water / dust rating | IP48 | IP48 | IP68 | IP68 |
| Storage | 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB | 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB | 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB | 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB / 2 TB |
| Stylus | S Pen not supported | Not confirmed in Samsung's launch release | Not stated | Apple Pencil (USB-C), no hover |
| Software support | Not stated | Not stated | 7 years of OS, security and Pixel Drops | Not stated |
| SIM | Not stated | Not stated | Nano SIM + eSIM | eSIM only |
Sources for the columns: Samsung's US launch release and the Galaxy Z Fold8 product page, the Google Store spec sheet, and Apple's launch release and product page.
Normalizing the inner display: the three big screens are almost the same size
Diagonals mislead here because the aspect ratios differ. Using each vendor's stated diagonal and pixel grid, the derived estimate for usable inner-screen area is about 32.0 sq in for the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, about 31.8 sq in for the Fold8 Ultra, and about 27.8 sq in for the Fold8. The Pixel and the Ultra are within roughly 1% of each other. The Fold8 gives up about 13% of that area.
The shapes differ more than the areas. The Fold8's 1848 x 2448 panel is a 3:4 tablet-style shape, while the Ultra's 2504 x 2256 grid and the Pixel's 2076 x 2152 grid are close to square. Video letterboxes more on the square panels. Apple publishes only the 7.6" diagonal and says the inner and outer screens share an aspect ratio, so no area estimate is possible without a pixel grid.
Battery: the rated figure is the fair comparison
Vendors headline different numbers. Samsung's release gives typical and rated capacity side by side, and Google gives typical and minimum. Apple gives no milliamp-hour figure at all, only video-playback hours.
| Phone | Typical | Rated / minimum | Wired charging claim | Wireless |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy Z Fold8 | 4,800 mAh | 4,660 mAh | 45 W, 63% in about 30 min | 20 W |
| Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra | 5,000 mAh | 4,854 mAh | 45 W, 67% in about 30 min | 20 W |
| Pixel 11 Pro Fold | 4,806 mAh | 4,658 mAh | 50% in about 30 min with a 30 W+ charger sold separately | Qi2.2, up to 25 W |
| iPhone Duo | Not stated | Not stated | 50% in about 20 min | 50% in about 30 min on MagSafe or Qi2 |
On the rated basis the Fold8, the Pixel and each other are effectively tied (4,660 vs 4,658 mAh), and the Ultra leads by about 4%. The charging claims cannot be ranked cleanly, because each vendor picks its own charger and test conditions. Apple's claim of up to 31 hours of video on the inner display, 44 hours on the outer display and 24 hours split evenly is also not comparable with Samsung's "up to 26 hours" video figure for the Fold8, since the test methods are not published side by side.
Price and availability: the Pixel number is the unclear one
As of October 26, 2026, US starting prices are $1,899.99 for the Fold8, $2,099.99 for the Fold8 Ultra, and $1,999 for the iPhone Duo. Samsung's pages do not list per-tier prices for the US. Apple's page does not list a price, but its newsroom release gives $1,999 as the starting price, or $83.29 a month for 24 months.
The Pixel 11 Pro Fold is harder. The Google Store page shows "From $1,049" next to "$1,899 after eligible trade-in" and does not say which figure is the list price. A few numbers on the same page line up, which suggests a reading (derived estimate, not a Google statement): the page offers up to $850 back with trade-in, and $1,899 minus $850 is $1,049. The listed financing of $29.14 a month for 36 months multiplies out to about $1,049 as well. That points to $1,899 as the undiscounted price and $1,049 as the best case with a maximum trade-in, which also matches the $1,899 figure reported by Droid Life for the 256 GB model. Confirm on the checkout page before relying on either number.
Dates differ too. The Galaxy Z Fold8 and Fold8 Ultra went on general sale on August 7, 2026, after pre-orders from July 22. The iPhone Duo opened for pre-order on October 16 and reached stores on October 23 in 70+ countries, with 28 more following on October 30. The Google Store page states no ship date.
Time-limited offers matter right now. Samsung lists up to $800 trade-in credit on the Fold8 and a promotional discount of up to $200 running through November 2, 2026. Google's trade-in estimate offer is labeled as ending October 29, 2026.
Where the vendors' own pages disagree or leave gaps
- Apple's "2x Telephoto." The newsroom release describes the 48 MP main camera as having an integrated optical-quality 2x telephoto. The product page says there is no telephoto lens. The consistent reading is that the 2x view is cut from the main sensor, so it is not a separate optic like the Pixel's 5x or the Ultra's 3x.
- Apple's glass. The release names Ceramic Shield on the back and Ceramic Shield 2 on the outer display, so the two surfaces are not the same material.
- Samsung's naming. "Galaxy Z Fold8" and "Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra" are different phones with different cameras, screens and prices. A search for "Fold8" can land on either.
- The IP ratings. IP68 (Pixel, iPhone Duo) and IP48 (both Samsung models) are not the same promise. The "8" water rating is shared, but the "4" in IP48 is a lower solid-particle rating than the "6" in IP68, so Samsung does not claim dust-tight protection.
- Missing weights. Apple publishes neither weight nor thickness, so a weight comparison with the iPhone Duo cannot be made from official pages.
Who each phone does not fit
- Galaxy Z Fold8: no telephoto lens, no S Pen, and IP48 rather than a dust-tight rating. It has the smallest inner screen of the four, by about 13% in derived area.
- Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra: the highest US starting price here, $2,099.99. Samsung's launch release does not confirm stylus support, and it does not state a software-update period on the pages read.
- Pixel 11 Pro Fold: the price is unclear on the official store page, the 30 W+ charger needed for the quoted fast-charging speed is sold separately, and no ship date is stated. Its 5x telephoto is the longest optical reach in this group.
- iPhone Duo: no telephoto lens, eSIM only (no physical SIM anywhere), Touch ID with no Face ID, and no published weight. Apple's pages say Siri AI is in beta, English-only at launch, and not initially available in the EU on iOS. Some AI features also carry daily usage limits.
Which one for which buyer
| If you care most about | Pick | Why, from the published specs |
|---|---|---|
| Long optical zoom | Pixel 11 Pro Fold | 5x telephoto vs 3x on the Ultra; none on the Fold8 or iPhone Duo |
| Largest battery and best camera hardware | Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra | 5,000 mAh typical, 200 MP main and 3x telephoto |
| Lightest body with published numbers | Galaxy Z Fold8 | 201 g, 9.7 mm folded, but with the smallest inner screen |
| Longest software commitment in writing | Pixel 11 Pro Fold | 7 years stated; the other three pages read do not state a period |
| Dust and water protection | Pixel 11 Pro Fold or iPhone Duo | IP68 vs IP48 |
| Stylus use | iPhone Duo | Apple Pencil (USB-C) supported; the Fold8 does not support S Pen |
| Fastest published wired top-up | iPhone Duo | 50% in about 20 min, though the charger conditions differ by vendor |
FAQ
Is the Galaxy Z Fold8 or the Fold8 Ultra the right comparison to the Pixel and iPhone Duo?
By inner-screen area and price, the Fold8 Ultra is the closer match to the Pixel 11 Pro Fold. The Fold8 sits nearer the iPhone Duo's 7.6-inch diagonal, though its derived screen area is the smallest in the group.
Which foldable has a telephoto camera?
The Pixel 11 Pro Fold (10.8 MP, 5x) and the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra (10 MP, 3x). The Fold8 has none, and Apple's product page says the iPhone Duo has no telephoto lens.
What does the Pixel 11 Pro Fold cost?
The Google Store shows "From $1,049" next to "$1,899 after eligible trade-in" without labeling the list price. A derived reading suggests $1,899 is the undiscounted price, but check the store at checkout.
Last verified: October 26, 2026. Prices, trade-in terms and availability change often, and the Pixel store page in particular was ambiguous on the day of checking.
Sources
- Samsung Newsroom US — Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Fold8 and Flip8 launch release
- Samsung US — Galaxy Z Fold8 product page
- Samsung UAE — Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra and Fold8 launch announcement
- Google Store — Pixel 11 Pro Fold specs
- Google Store — Pixel 11 Pro Fold product and pricing page
- Apple Newsroom — Apple unveils iPhone Duo
- Apple — iPhone Duo product page