The Galaxy Z Fold8, Pixel 11 Pro Fold, and iPhone Duo are the three foldables most buyers will weigh this season, and they disagree on three things that spec sheets bury: how dust-proof they are, how they measure battery life, and how many different models you have to choose from. Samsung sells two Fold models, Google and Apple sell one each, and only Apple and Google rate their phones IP68. This comparison puts the published numbers on one footing and flags where a price or spec could not be confirmed on the vendor's own page.
This comparison is based on official specification and newsroom pages, verified as of 22 October 2026. For Apple's pricing and storage tiers in more depth, see our iPhone Duo total-cost snapshot; for the wearable side of each ecosystem, see our smartwatch comparison.
The specs, normalized
| Galaxy Z Fold8 / Fold8 Ultra | Pixel 11 Pro Fold | iPhone Duo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inner display | 7.6 in (Fold8) / 8.0 in (Ultra) | 8 in | 7.6 in |
| Outer display | 5.5 in (Fold8) / 6.5 in (Ultra) | 6.5 in | 5.4 in |
| Weight | 201 g (Fold8, Samsung Canada page) / 215 g (Ultra, press-reported) | 8.4 oz (about 238 g) | 254 g |
| Water / dust rating | IP48 | IP68 | IP68 |
| Battery as stated | 4,800 mAh (Fold8) / 5,000 mAh (Ultra) | 4,806 mAh typical (4,658 minimum) | Up to 31 h video (inner), 44 h (outer) |
| Storage | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB |
| Chip | Not stated on the Samsung pages read | Google Tensor G6 | A20 Pro |
| Software support | Not stated on the pages read | 7 years of OS, security, and Pixel Drop updates | Not stated on the pages read |
Three cells are empty on Samsung's side not because the phone lacks them but because the pages we could read did not list them. The same applies to Apple's software-support length. A blank here is a gap in the source, not a negative.
IP48 versus IP68 is not a small difference
Apple's specification page lists the iPhone Duo at IP68, tested under IEC 60529 to 6 meters for up to 30 minutes, and Google's page lists the Pixel 11 Pro Fold at IP68. Samsung's specifications page lists both Fold8 models at IP48. Under the IEC 60529 scheme, the first digit measures solid-object and dust protection and the second measures water. A 6 means dust-tight; a 4 only means protection against objects larger than about 1 mm. The water digit (8, immersion) is the same on all three. So Samsung's foldables are rated for water immersion but not rated dust-tight, while Apple's and Google's are. If you commute through sand, building sites, or beach, that gap matters more than any screen-size difference.
Apple adds its own caveat in the newsroom footnote: resistance can decrease with normal wear, and liquid damage is not covered under warranty. The sections of the Samsung and Google pages we read contain no comparable statement, which is a gap in what we could read, not proof the policies differ.
Size and weight: three different strategies
Samsung is the only vendor splitting the lineup. The Galaxy Z Fold8 has a 5.5-inch cover screen and a 7.6-inch, 4:3 main screen, and weighs 201 grams according to Samsung Canada's buy page. The Z Fold8 Ultra moves to a 6.5-inch cover and an 8.0-inch main display with a larger 5,000 mAh battery. Google's single model matches the Ultra's panel sizes (8 and 6.5 inches). Apple's iPhone Duo has the same 7.6-inch inner screen as the standard Fold8 but a narrower 5.4-inch outer screen, and at 254 grams it is the heaviest of the group by the numbers in the table. Apple lists it at 5.2 mm open and 11.3 mm closed.
Battery claims are not in the same unit
Apple publishes hours of video playback: 31 on the inner display and 44 on the outer, or about 24 hours with both used equally. Samsung and Google publish battery capacity in milliamps. You cannot convert 4,806 mAh into hours without knowing the chip, the display, and the test. Treat the mAh figures as capacity labels and the Apple figures as Apple's own test result; do not use one to rank the other.
Price snapshot, and what could not be confirmed
- iPhone Duo: Apple's newsroom lists $1,999 in the U.S. (or $83.29 a month for 24 months), with pre-orders from 16 October in more than 70 countries and regions and sales from 23 October. Another 28 countries and regions follow on 30 October.
- Galaxy Z Fold8 and Fold8 Ultra: launch coverage reports U.S. starting prices of $1,899 and $2,099, with general availability from 7 August. The Samsung U.S. page could not be opened, and the Canadian buy page shows only an installment offer, so these two numbers are press-reported, not read from Samsung.
- Pixel 11 Pro Fold: Google's specifications page shows "From $1,049," a figure that matches $29.14 a month over 36 months, and a separate $1,899 marked "after eligible trade-in." Launch coverage reports a $1,899 list price. Google's page does not label the full price unambiguously, so confirm at checkout.
That is the pricing conflict worth knowing about: "from" prices on two of the three pages are built around trade-ins or financing, and the only clean, fully sourced list price among the three is Apple's $1,999. Do not compare the headline numbers directly.
What each phone does not give you
- Galaxy Z Fold8 line: no dust-tight rating (IP48). The Samsung pages read here also do not list S Pen support, chip, or software-update length, so confirm those before buying.
- Pixel 11 Pro Fold: the specifications page does not state the U.S. price clearly, and fast charging to 50% in about 30 minutes needs a 30 W USB-C PPS charger that is sold separately.
- iPhone Duo: the heaviest of the three, and Apple's crease claim is qualitative: the matte nano-texture finish is said to minimize crease visibility, with no measurement given. Liquid damage is not covered under warranty.
Which one fits which situation
- You want the widest dust and water protection: iPhone Duo or Pixel 11 Pro Fold, both IP68.
- You want the lightest foldable: Galaxy Z Fold8 at 201 grams.
- You want the largest screens: Pixel 11 Pro Fold or Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, both with 8-inch inner and 6.5-inch outer displays.
- You want the longest stated update commitment: Pixel 11 Pro Fold, with seven years from Google's own page.
- You want the most storage: iPhone Duo, the only one with a 2 TB option.
Frequently asked questions
Which foldable has the best water and dust resistance?
The iPhone Duo and Pixel 11 Pro Fold are both listed at IP68. Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold8 models are listed at IP48, which is not rated dust-tight.
Which foldable is the lightest?
The Galaxy Z Fold8 at 201 grams, according to Samsung Canada's buy page. The Pixel 11 Pro Fold is 8.4 ounces (about 238 grams), and the iPhone Duo is 254 grams.
When does the iPhone Duo go on sale?
Apple's newsroom says sales begin on 23 October in the first group of more than 70 countries and regions, and on 30 October in 28 more.
How long does the Pixel 11 Pro Fold get updates?
Google's specifications page lists seven years of OS, security, and Pixel Drop updates.
Last verified: 22 October 2026. Prices, promotions, and availability change frequently; confirm on each company's own page before buying.