Direct Answer: The three foldable phones Apple’s iPhone Fold will need to beat are the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 (best overall, $2,000), the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold (best battery and water resistance, ~$1,800), and the OnePlus Open (best value, $1,699). All three are mature, capable devices — and Apple will need to offer something meaningfully different to justify its expected premium.
Key Takeaways
- Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the benchmark foldable — a 200MP camera, 8-inch display and the most polished multitasking software available.
- Google’s Pixel 10 Pro Fold is the first book-style foldable to earn IP68 water resistance, plus the best battery life in the category.
- Apple’s expected $2,000+ starting price puts it above everything currently on the market — it has to deliver something none of these phones can.
The Foldable Phones Apple’s iPhone Fold Has to Beat in 2026
When Apple finally enters the foldable market — and the leaks make a 2026 launch look increasingly likely — it won’t be arriving in an empty room. Samsung has been refining its Galaxy Z Fold range for six generations. Google has made the Pixel Fold a genuinely compelling alternative. And OnePlus has been quietly offering serious hardware at a lower price point. Here’s what Apple is up against.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 — The One to Beat
If you want the definitive foldable phone in 2026, most reviewers point to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7. It’s the most mature foldable on the market — six generations of refinement show. The inner display stretches to 8 inches, the cover screen is a genuinely usable 6.5 inches, and the camera system is led by a 200MP main sensor capable of 8K video. Under the hood, Snapdragon 8 Elite processing makes multitasking feel effortless.
Samsung’s App Continuity features and DeX desktop mode are class-leading. If you live in apps and need your phone to behave like a small tablet, this is currently the gold standard. The catch? $2,000 for the 256GB model — and an IP48 rating rather than full IP68 protection.
Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold — The Intelligent Challenger
Google’s foldable range has come a long way, and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold represents its most convincing entry yet. Two headline differences set it apart from the Samsung. First: IP68 water resistance — a genuine first for a book-style foldable, meaning full submersion protection rather than just splash resistance. Second: the best battery life in the category, thanks to Google’s efficient chip and a larger cell that outperforms the Z Fold 7 in real-world testing.
The Pixel’s camera system is exceptional for stills and video, and Google’s AI features — particularly the live translation and call screening — are ahead of Samsung’s equivalents. Seven years of guaranteed OS and security updates makes the long-term value case compelling. Priced around $200 less than the Z Fold 7, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is a serious proposition. If you’re already in the Google ecosystem, or you own a Pixel phone, it’s the natural step up.
OnePlus Open — The Value Case
The OnePlus Open has been the foldable market’s best-kept secret. At $1,699 — several hundred dollars less than either Samsung or Apple’s expected price — it packs a 7.82-inch inner display, a triple camera system with 48MP + 64MP + 48MP sensors, and a 4,805mAh battery with 67W fast charging. That charging speed leaves both Samsung and Google far behind.
The trade-off is an IPX4 splash resistance rating rather than full water resistance, and a slightly less polished software experience. But for buyers who want large-screen foldable performance without the flagship price tag, OnePlus makes a strong case.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Phone | Inner Display | Outer Display | Starting Price | Water Rating | Camera (Main) | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 | 8.0″ | 6.5″ | $2,000 | IP48 | 200MP | Best overall, mature ecosystem |
| Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold | ~8.0″ | ~6.3″ | ~$1,800 | IP68 | 50MP + AI | Best battery, full waterproofing, 7yr updates |
| OnePlus Open | 7.82″ | 6.31″ | $1,699 | IPX4 | 48MP | Best value, fastest charging |
| Apple iPhone Fold (expected) | 7.76″ | 5.49″ | $2,000+ | TBC | TBC | Crease-free screen, iOS ecosystem |
What Apple Actually Has to Do to Compete
Looking at that table, the iPhone Fold’s reported inner display is actually smaller than the Galaxy Z Fold 7’s 8-inch screen, and its expected starting price is higher than anything currently on the market. Apple cannot win on screen size or price — so it needs to win on something else.
The crease-free display is the obvious differentiator, if it’s real. Beyond that, Apple will lean on the iOS ecosystem lock-in, iMessage, AirDrop, iCloud continuity, and the sheer fact that millions of iPhone users will not switch to Android regardless of how good Samsung or Google’s offering is. For that audience, the foldable iPhone doesn’t need to beat these phones on specs — it just needs to be good enough to justify the premium within a world they already live in.
If you’re an iPhone user keeping an eye on the broader landscape while you wait, our 2026 iPhone buying guide covers the current lineup. And if you need repairs on any of these devices, we come to you across East Yorkshire — no need to send your phone away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best foldable phone in 2026?
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is widely regarded as the best overall foldable phone in 2026, combining an 8-inch inner display, 200MP camera and mature multitasking software. The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold offers better battery life and IP68 water resistance for around $200 less.
How much does the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 cost?
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 starts at $2,000 for the 256GB model.
How does the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold compare to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7?
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold offers better battery life, IP68 water resistance (a first for book-style foldables), and seven years of software updates for around $200 less than the Z Fold 7. Samsung leads on camera hardware with its 200MP sensor and has a more mature foldable software ecosystem.
Is the OnePlus Open still worth buying in 2026?
The OnePlus Open remains the best value option in the foldable market at $1,699, with a strong 7.82-inch inner display and impressive 67W fast charging, though its IPX4 rating lags behind the competition.
Should I wait for the iPhone Fold or buy a foldable now?
If you’re an Android user happy in that ecosystem, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 or Pixel 10 Pro Fold are mature, refined phones worth buying now. If you’re an iPhone user, waiting for the iPhone Fold makes sense — though expect supply constraints and a significant price premium at launch.
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