We're nearing the middle of 2026, and this means two things — we're nearly halfway to the launch of GTA VI (fingers crossed), and it's time for new Samsung wearables to drop. Going by the last couple of years, we should have the next Samsung Unpacked announcement soon slated for July, where the new foldables, watches, and audio products will be unveiled. There's little known about the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 so far, and this could mean one of two things: either Samsung knows how to keep a secret, or the upgrades won't be that significant.

Either way, if you're looking to get a new Samsung watch or upgrade your existing one, should you wait for the Galaxy Watch 9 or simply buy the Galaxy Watch 8 right now? Word on the web is that Samsung might not be making any major hardware changes to the Watch 9, but it is rumored to finally get a new processor, which could usher in improvements across the board to battery life, AI features, and new metrics to monitor.

If you're unsure about waiting, here's a breakdown of what we expect from the Galaxy Watch 9 and how it should compare to the Watch 8.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 vs. Galaxy Watch 8: Design and display

It's surprising that we don't have any leaked renders of the Galaxy Watch 8 yet, but a mention of its model number showed up in a recent test firmware, thereby confirming that it should be on track for a July release. Based on everything we know about the Galaxy Watch 9 so far, it should look and feel almost identical to the Galaxy Watch 8. This also means we should be expecting the usual two sizes of 40mm and 44mm, with each having Wi-Fi and cellular options.

The Galaxy Watch 8 was pretty slim and light, and we expect the Watch 9 to have the same or better specifications. You should expect a thickness of about 8.6mm and a weight of either 30 grams or 34 grams, depending on the variant you choose. The same ruggedness should also transfer, which includes the IP68 rating and MIL-STD-810H certification.

Not everyone is a fan of the squircle design of the Galaxy Watch 8, but I personally think it looks quirky enough to stand out. The Watch 9 will most definitely use the same design, as I don't think Samsung will backtrack to the circular design anytime soon (if ever).

We're likely to see the same display size used on the Galaxy Watch 9 too. The 44mm Galaxy Watch 8 had a 1.47-inch Super AMOLED panel with a 480x480 resolution, up to 3,000 nits of peak brightness, and a Sapphire Crystal glass cover. It's possible the Galaxy Watch 9 will tweak these specs a bit, like a higher peak brightness or even a slightly larger display in the same frame, but I don't see any other changes beyond this.

The Galaxy Watch 8's display has been excellent when we tested it, and we have no real complaints here. Touch response is great, sunlight legibility is adequate, and colors are rich and vibrant. You should expect the same or better quality display from the Galaxy Watch 9.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 vs. Galaxy Watch 8: Hardware & specs

The big upgrade that we're all expecting to see in the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 is the processor. Samsung has used the Exynos W1000 chip for the past two generations of Galaxy watches, so it's due for an upgrade. My money is on Qualcomm's recently announced Snapdragon Wear Elite platform for wearables.

Compared to the W5 Gen 2 chip, it's expected to deliver up to 5x and 7x performance for the CPU and GPU, respectively. The NPU is rated at 10 TOPS and can handle 2B-parameter AI models, making it well-suited to running the upcoming Gemini Intelligence or even Gemini Live. The Watch 9 should still come with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage, just like the Watch 8.

As for pricing, the Galaxy Watch 8 was already $50 more expensive than its predecessor, starting at $349.99. Samsung has held onto this price till now with only minor discounts on some shopping platforms. I'm hoping Samsung keeps the same price for the Galaxy Watch 9 too. The 44mm variant starts at $379.99, and you can add another $50 if you pick the LTE variant. The Watch 9 could debut with 5G connectivity as the Wear Elite chip can support it.

Some of the other specs that could change with the new chip would be an upgrade to Bluetooth 6 and Wi-Fi 6. Dual-band GPS should make it as well, which is what makes the Watch 8 one of the best GPS smartwatches on the market.

The Galaxy Watch 9 is expected to use the same health tracking sensors and battery capacity as the Watch 8. The one-day battery life of the 8 was our biggest gripe with the watch, especially since at least a two-day battery life has become quite common for most modern smartwatches. Even if the battery capacity remains the same on the Watch 9, I'm hoping that the new chip is able to extract a longer runtime per charge.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 vs. Galaxy Watch 8: Health & fitness tracking

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 already introduced a redesigned BioActive sensor for more accurate readings and the tracking of new metrics like Antioxidant Index, Running Coach, Vascular Load, and AGEs Index. We could see some upgraded LEDs for better tracking, or even for tracking new metrics.

Whether all of these features will be open and free to use like before also comes into question. Samsung has publicly toyed with the idea of a Samsung Health subscription model, and perhaps 2026 is the year it finally announces it. I don't think it will hide commonly used health-tracking metrics behind a paywall, but advanced features like Sleep Coach could be put behind a paywall.

The Galaxy Watch 8 already does a fantastic job of tracking health and fitness data. In our review of the watch, we found that certain metrics like Energy Score tended to be overestimated at times. For instance, even when the score would be above 80, the watch would still suggest prioritizing rest. I'm hoping the Watch 9 addresses these few shortcomings with more accurate analysis.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 vs. Galaxy Watch 8: Should you wait?

Honestly, it doesn't seem like the Galaxy Watch 9 is going to bring about any major upgrades, but if you're not in a hurry, there's no harm in waiting for a month or so to find out. If you already own the Galaxy Watch 8, I don't see any reason to upgrade to the Watch 9, so you can safely skip this generation.

If you can't wait and need a new watch or an upgrade right now, I would confidently recommend the Galaxy Watch 8 today. It's still a fantastic product with a lot of life left in it. Apart from having to charge it daily, which is not a big deal in my opinion, it delivers excellent tracking performance, a beautiful display, is lightweight and comfortable, and has a cellular option.

If you need better ergonomics and slightly longer battery life, there's the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic that's also worth considering.

If you're in the market for a smartwatch to complement your Android smartphone, Samsung Galaxy Watch and Google Pixel Watch are probably two brands that are at the top of your list. Both work best with the same brand phone with special features that you can unlock. But they can also pair with any Android phone since they are Wear OS devices.

When considering the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 vs. Google Pixel Watch 4, it's important to note that the former isn't officially available yet. Rumored to launch at Galaxy Unpacked in July, there's already a lot of chatter about it, and features we expect and want to see. Given this, should you wait for that device, especially if you have a Samsung Galaxy smartphone, or pick up the Google Pixel Watch 4 now? While I can't say either way definitively just yet, this will help you make a decision.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 vs. Google Pixel Watch 4: Design and durability

As noted, we don't yet have official details for the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9, which is likely to launch at Galaxy Unpacked this summer. But there are a few things we can speculate about what's to come with it.

One of the things we expect to see with the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 is a continuation of the squircle design the company employs for its Galaxy Watch 8. The Galaxy Watch 9 will probably be the only design launched without a Classic variant since Samsung usually only releases those every other year. But there might be a Galaxy Watch Ultra variant for 2026 and potentially a Galaxy Watch FE 2 step-down affordable option as well. Here, however, I'll focus just on the base Galaxy Watch 9.

It will most likely come in two sizes with a durable aluminum case that meets MIL-STD-810H and 5 ATM for water resistance. It will likely have a higher version of Bluetooth, hopefully at least 6.0. It may also add ultra-wideband.

In terms of the battery, it will probably have the same 325mAh and 435mAh batteries for the two sizes, offering up to 40-hour battery life per charge. With a more efficient Wear OS and a better processor, it's possible the watch will last a bit longer than its predecessor. But it won't be anything groundbreaking: you'll still need to charge it daily or every two days.

Something better could be coming in future iterations, according to reports, through all-solid-state batteries. But this likely won't be until the Galaxy Watch 10 in 2027. For now, we'll have to stick with what we have.

Over to the Google Pixel Watch 4, since it launched in late 2025 and has been on the market since, we already know all the details. It comes in two sizes, 41mm and 45mm. The 41mm size comes in a Polished Silver aluminum case with an Active Iris or Porcelain Active band, a Champagne Gold aluminum case with a Lemongrass Active band, or a Matte Black aluminum case with an Obsidian Active band.

The larger 45mm edition comes with a Satin Moonstone aluminum case with a Moonstone Active band, a Polished Silver aluminum case with a Porcelain Active band, or a Matte Black aluminum case with an Obsidian Active band. So, you have tons of choice in terms of both finish and band, and of course, can swap bands if desired for third-party options, too.

The Google Pixel Watch 4 has a side button and a haptic crown along with a built-in mic and speaker. In his review of the Google Pixel Watch 4, Michael L Hicks says he likes the crown but finds the side button annoying to press. The display shows a new Tile format with more information and shortcuts than in previous-generation Pixel Watches. Hicks says he actually prefers Samsung's multi-info Tiles design.

You get a 320ppi AMOLED LTPO 1-60Hz always-on Actua 360 display with a unique domed design. With up to 3,000 nits of brightness, it's comfortably viewable in all lighting situations, including bright, sunny days outdoors. The screen is durable, made of Corning Gorilla Glass, and the watch meets both IP68 and 5ATM ratings for dust and water resistance. So yes, you can swim in freshwater with it. However, the absence of sapphire glass means it's more prone to scratches and cracks than other smartwatches that use it, notes Hicks.

The Google Pixel Watch 4 41mm has a 325mAh battery, and the 45mm has a 455mAh battery, which provides up to 30 and 40 hours of use with the always-on display, respectively. But you can extend this to up to 48 hours with Battery Saver mode on the 41mm and up to 72 hours on the 45mm. That's not amazing compared to other smartwatches that last much longer, but it does work with a quick charger dock that Hicks says is "absurdly fast" at recharging it. The Pixel Watch 4 takes about 45 minutes to fully charge the 41mm watch and an hour for the 45mm. But with both, just 15 minutes will get you back to a 50% charge.

With a 4G LTE option, you can get a separate add-on cellular connection for the Google Pixel Watch 4 that lets you use it without your phone. It also includes Bluetooth 6, NFC, and ultra-wideband connectivity with satellite SOS communications in case of emergency. One important thing to note is that it's also repairable, so you should be able to easily swap components yourself if necessary.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 vs. Google Pixel Watch 4: Specs

Let’s look at how these two smartwatches compare when it comes to basic specs.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 vs. Google Pixel Watch 4: Health, wellness, and smarts

Both the Samsung Galaxy Watch and Google Pixel Watch function as great health, fitness, and wellness companions. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 may possibly include a step-up processor from the 3nm Exynos W1000 chip and 2GB RAM in the last two versions to a potentially faster 3nm chip.

If not that, we might see a new coprocessor design, as many other brands have been employing, to handle background versus more intensive tasks separately and thus more efficiently. A recent leak suggests that a Snapdragon Wear Elite 3nm chipset could be incorporated into this watch to afford both better performance and battery efficiency. It will likely also gain greater efficiency through Wear OS 7.

The Galaxy Watch 9 will almost definitely continue to work with the Samsung Health app, though there are some rumors about Samsung toying with the option of adding a subscription to the now free service. You already get tons of fantastic features through the BioActive sensor that will likely continue in this model, like Antioxidant Index, Running Coach, Vascular Load, and AGEs Index. Plus, there are Galaxy AI health tools.

If Samsung adds a subscription tier, the company might have to offer more than simply hiding all these measurements behind a paywall. We'll have to wait and see if there are any new health-related features, better AI integration, and possibly some type of Health Coach AI. One such addition could be non-invasive blood glucose monitoring, which is something Samsung has reportedly already been working on.

In terms of AI integration, the hope is that with a faster, more efficient processor, AI tools will benefit, too. This means faster and smarter AI responses or contextual analysis of your data within the app. Gemini Live would be nice to have, but we'll have to wait and see.

The Google Pixel Watch 4 is already a pretty solid smartwatch for health and fitness tracking with a Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 4nm processor that's wonderfully efficient. The coprocessor is efficient for running AI and background tasks, fueled as well by Wear OS 6. Hicks notices the improvement in battery life thanks to the efficient processing.

With the new Google Health app that is officially replacing the Fitbit app, you're going to get much more out of the Pixel Watch 4 than before. To take advantage of everything, however, you will need a Google Health Premium subscription, which is similar to the requirement for a Fitbit Premium subscription in the past anyway.

You, of course, get deep Gemini AI integration with tracking for all the typical metrics, as is expected with the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9. It offers additional metrics like cardio load and recovery, and features like the ability to build your own custom runs and get real-time guidance. There's also the Morning Brief that provides key insights on data like sleep, weather, and readiness.

There are tons of upgrades with Google Health, notably Health Coach, an AI-powered trainer that can assist you through your fitness and health journey. You provide data like your goals, what equipment you have, and even provide photos, and it will help you build a proper plan.

You'll be able to pin favorite metrics to the dashboard in the app and integrate data from other third-party apps like Apple Health, Peloton, and MyFitnessPal. The base-level app will provide basics, but you need Premium for things like Ask Coach, adaptive fitness plans, more detailed sleep insights, medical record summaries, a library of workouts and mindfulness sessions, and more. However, if you already have a Google AI Pro or Ultra subscription, you'll get Google Health Premium included.

Beyond the revamped Google Health app, the Pixel Watch 4 offers some useful additional features, like loss of pulse detection, car crash detection, smart replies, the ability to see who's calling with a compatible device, a Pixel Camera app, the option to record voice notes, and even control a Google TV Streamer from the watch face. Some features only work with a Pixel phone, like the camera shutter remote and recorder app.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 vs. Google Pixel Watch 4: Should you wait?

If you have a Samsung Galaxy smartphone and you're wondering about the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 vs. Google Pixel Watch 4, I'd suggest you wait. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 might not be a huge step-up from the Galaxy Watch 8. But if it can run more efficiently and offer enough software upgrades and battery life improvements, it could be worth it. If Samsung does add a subscription, it would work with other Galaxy Watch models, too. But it's possible the Galaxy Watch 9 could have features specific to it that make paying worth the upgrade.

If you have a Google Pixel phone, the Google Pixel Watch 4 is already one of the best Android smartwatches you can buy, and it's only getting better with Google Health Premium. Yes, you need the subscription to unlock everything. But you may have already been subscribed to Fitbit Premium anyway.

If you have a phone from another brand altogether, or maybe you aren't tied to the ecosystem play, it's tough to determine at this point which of these two smartwatches is the better choice. Based on expectations, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 will probably fall very close in line with the Google Pixel Watch 4 in terms of basic specs, including durability, battery life, processing, AI integration, and app experience. I don't suspect there's going to be anything especially groundbreaking about the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 that makes it worth waiting several months for it if you really need or want a new smartwatch now.

If you have a Galaxy Watch that is several generations old, I'd suggest waiting for the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 before upgrading to the Galaxy Watch 8. Even if it offers slight improvements in processing and battery life, every bit counts. If you have a Google Pixel phone, the Pixel Watch 4 offers an incredible experience, and Google Health is poised to be one of the most comprehensive, AI-centric fitness apps around. So, I'd go ahead and upgrade now if you're wearing an older-model Pixel or a different-brand smartwatch and want something more sophisticated.

Samsung is reportedly planning to launch two Galaxy Z Fold 8 models this year, but we don't know exactly what they'll be called. There's a traditional Galaxy Z Fold 7 successor in the works, plus a wider big-screen foldable supposedly in the pipeline.

The former was originally thought to be called the Galaxy Z Fold 8, with the latter taking up the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide moniker. More recently, rumors point to Samsung calling the wider foldable simply the Galaxy Z Fold 8, with the flagship model being branded as the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.

Regardless of how the naming scheme shakes out, it's all but confirmed that we are getting two Galaxy Z Fold 8 models from Samsung this release cycle. One of them will be a wide model akin to Huawei's Pura X Max, and the other will be similar to the Galaxy Z Fold 7. Here's how we expect them to compare — and which one you should buy following Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked event next month.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: Pricing and availability

The two phones in the Galaxy Z Fold 8 series are expected to be announced at Samsung's next Galaxy Unpacked event. Current rumors point to Samsung hosting a Galaxy Unpacked event in London on July 22, 2026, and that's when we expect to see the Galaxy Z Fold 8 models debut. The leak predicts that both the standard and wide Galaxy Z Fold models will arrive at this showcase.

Pricing and availability details for these phones, possibly called the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide, or Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, aren't known yet. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 starts at $2,000, which can serve as a benchmark for potential Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra pricing. The wide Galaxy Z Fold 8 is expected to come in 256GB and 512GB variants, while the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is tabbed to offer an additional 1TB configuration.

We don't know which colors the Galaxy Z Fold 8 or Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra will be available in, but we have seen them in leaks.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: Design and displays

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra are expected to sport similar design languages, with flat sides and an oval-shaped rear camera platform. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra model could be slimmer than the wider version — you can expect it to match the Galaxy Z Fold 7's dimensions of 4.2mm thick when opened and about 8.9mm when closed, or go even thinner. It'll likely be lightweight as well, continuing the trend set by the Galaxy Z Fold 7.

It's unclear how slim the wide Galaxy Z Fold 8 will be, but it may aim to match the Ultra model's thickness. Looking at the renders, we can see that the wider version certainly appears slim. The difference in aspect ratios is stark, though. There's a 5.4-inch cover screen and a 7.6-inch foldable display, according to leaks. The inner display is smaller, but it does have a 4:3 aspect ratio that's better for watching TV shows and movies.

By comparison, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra should come with at least a 6.5-inch cover screen and an 8-inch main screen. The inner display will offer a 1:1 aspect ratio, which might be more ideal for productivity work and less enjoyable for content consumption. On paper, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra's displays will be larger than the Galaxy Z Fold 8's wide screens.

As for specs, we can expect the two Galaxy Z Fold 8 models to feature foldable OLED panels with identical 120Hz refresh rates and high-brightness levels. Some rumors have pointed to Samsung toying with the idea of using Privacy Display here or bringing back the S Pen, but that sounds more like wishful thinking than a prediction at this juncture.

Other ways Samsung could upgrade its next generation of foldables are by adding Qi2 support or IP68 durability protection. However, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 series will probably stick with basic "Qi2 Ready" charging and IP48 protection.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: Hardware and specs

Both the wide and traditional Galaxy Z Fold 8 models are expected to be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset. This is an overclocked version of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip that we already saw in the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Despite the two models potentially coming with different price tags, they could have the same chip, and that would be nice to see. Each phone will be paired with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of base storage.

Samsung could offer a variant with 16GB of RAM, but that'll likely be exclusive to the 1TB configuration of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. Each phone will launch with One UI 9, based on Android 17, and get seven years of Android OS support thereafter.

The camera systems will separate the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. The wider version might only have a 50MP main camera and a 50MP ultrawide lens on the back. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, by comparison, will almost certainly sport a 200MP primary shooter, a 50MP ultrawide, and a 12MP telephoto lens — the same setup as the Galaxy Z Fold 7, but with a better ultrawide lens.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra could also offer a bigger battery, with rumors pointing to the flagship foldable having a 5,000mAh capacity.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: Which upcoming foldable will be best?

While it looks a bit unconventional, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 (or Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide) could be a more practical alternative to the current crop of big-screen foldables. A frustrating aspect of using foldables like the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is that video content isn't much bigger on the internal display. This is because the square aspect ratio of the main screen isn't conducive to widescreen video. Phones like the rumored wide Galaxy Z Fold 8 model will address this pain point and will be better for mobile content consumption.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra will still be the flagship foldable, with the square internal aspect ratio that longtime users might still crave. It'll offer extra features like a third camera on the rear and feel generally more premium. We don't have concrete pricing or spec information for either phone, but the "Ultra" branding could signify a higher price point.

Personally, I'm excited for the wide Galaxy Z Fold 8. I use foldable phones a lot, and most of them never stick as my daily driver. This is partially because the aspect ratios currently offered aren't great for making the most of TV shows, movies, and games. The wider Samsung foldable will be a nice change of pace and could solve the problems users like myself find with folding phones.

Until we know the final details of these two Galaxy foldables, though, we can't say for sure which will be the better device or the better value.

Google wearable fans have long clamored for a minimal Pixel tracker, and the brand somewhat answered the call with the Fitbit Air. While it bears the Fitbit brand name rather than the Pixel name, it's a Google fitness band nonetheless. The screenless tracker is incredibly tiny, taking up less space on the wrist than a Whoop band. In many ways, the Fitbit Air serves as an alternative to traditional smartwatches, so how does it stack up against the Google Pixel Watch 4?

One thing's clear — the Pixel Watch 4 and the Fitbit Air aren't completely at odds. Sure, if you need a no-frills fitness tracker with a low-profile design, the Fitbit Air is for you. The same could be said of the Pixel Watch 4 for those who want advanced smartwatch features, such as dual-band GPS, Wear OS 6, or LTE connectivity. However, the Fitbit Air and the Pixel Watch 4 also work better together, and the former makes a great sleep tracking companion, allowing you to charge the latter overnight.

The jump from the $99 Fitbit Air to the $350 Pixel Watch 4 is steep, but both Google fitness trackers excel in their own right. Here's how.

Fitbit Air vs. Google Pixel Watch 4: Design and display, or lack thereof

First, let's review the categorical differences between the Pixel Watch 4 and the Fitbit Air. The Pixel Watch 4 is classified as a smartwatch and features a touchscreen display, runs Wear OS 6 with app support, offers a full suite of health sensors, and supports a range of connectivity standards, including optional LTE. Meanwhile, the Fitbit Air is a passive fitness tracker without a screen. It's essentially a tiny oval-shaped tracking device that snaps into different bands, including the fabric one that comes in the box.

The two trackers both have similar band options, with the Fitbit Air shipping inside a fabric, textile Performance Loop band that uses Velcro for a one-size-fits-all approach. On the other hand, the Pixel Watch 4 comes with a silicone Active band by default. Separately, you can buy Active or Elevated Modern bands for the Fitbit Air. The Pixel Watch 4 offers more variety, with Performance Loop, Stretch, Woven, Crafted Leather, Two-Tone Leather, Metal Mesh, Metal Slim, and Metal Links bands all available for purchase separately from Google.

As you can imagine, the Fitbit Air is much smaller than a Pixel Watch 4. The tracker itself only measures 34.9 x 17 x 8.3mm, and weighs just 5.2 grams. Add in a band, and the entire package gets thicker and weighs 12 grams — but it's still incredibly tiny.

That's quite a far cry from the Pixel Watch 4, which is available in 41mm and 45mm sizes. Either way, you're getting a smartwatch that's 12.3mm thick, and that number doesn't account for the sensors that protrude from the bottom of the Pixel Watch 4 case. It's quite heavy, at 31 grams for the 41mm model and 36.7 grams for the 45mm model. Neither of those numbers includes the band, and some bands are heavier than others.

The Pixel Watch 4 could certainly be worth the extra thickness and weight if you care about the additional hardware and features it offers. The big difference is the display. The domed Actua 360 display, which uses an AMOLED LTPO panel, supports 3,000-nit brightness and variable refresh rates up to 60Hz. It's a gorgeous display that offers numerous practical benefits, including being able to view workout stats or change activity types on your wrist, things that the Fitbit Air can't do.

I personally find the low-profile, lightweight design of the Fitbit Air more comfortable than smartwatches like the Pixel Watch 4, but it all comes down to personal preference — and how many features you need on your wrist.

Fitbit Air vs. Google Pixel Watch 4: Hardware and specs

There are numerous hardware differences between the Fitbit Air and the Pixel Watch 4. For the user, the short summary is that the Pixel Watch 4 (especially the LTE model) is a standalone device, whereas the Fitbit Air is more reliant on a connected smartphone for features. As an example, the Pixel Watch 4 offers dual-band GPS for location detection during workouts, while the Fitbit Air lacks GPS support entirely. To track a workout with GPS on your Fitbit Air, you need to bring your phone.

Since there's no screen or Wear OS operating system running on the Fitbit Air, all controls, settings, and activity tracking are handled in the Google Health app on a connected smartphone. The Fitbit Air has sensors that can detect firm taps on its surface, plus a vibration motor. You can double-tap the tracker to check battery life using the side LED or to silence alarms in the morning.

That's about the extent of the Fitbit Air's standalone features, though. The Google Pixel Watch 4, by comparison, has the Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 and Cortex M55 co-processor working inside. The chip pairs with Wear OS 6 to run an Android-based operating system, complete with rich third-party app support. If you want to do more on your device, the Pixel Watch 4 is the Google tracker to choose.

The Fitbit Air has a modest set of sensors, including an optical heart rate monitor (HRM), a blood oxygen sensor, a skin temperature sensor, an accelerometer, and a gyroscope. The Pixel Watch 4 has a more accurate HRM and a more versatile sensor suite overall. It adds a cEDA body response sensor, ECG support, an ambient light sensor, altimeter, barometer, magnetometer, and compass. These sensors, paired with the aforementioned dual-frequency GPS onboard, make the Pixel Watch 4 better than the Fitbit Air for serious workout tracking.

The Fitbit Air's respectable, but limited, assortment of sensors is best for the kind of person who wants to review stats and automatically detected activities in the Google Health app at the end of the day.

Fitbit Air vs. Google Pixel Watch 4: Fitness and health features

Both the Fitbit Air and the Pixel Watch 4 will heavily rely on the new Google Health app for analyzing and reviewing tracked activity data. This is a refreshed and rebranded version of the Fitbit app. Crucially, neither device requires a subscription.

There is a Google Health Premium (formerly Fitbit Premium) plan available for $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year. It unlocks extras like the AI-powered Google Health Coach. But all the basics are included for free, and frankly, I suspect many users will like the Google Health app better without the AI tools that require a subscription.

The Google Health app opens with a Today page with customizable focus tiles at the top. Underneath, you'll see Google Health Coach insights if you're a subscriber. Then, there are Fitness, Sleep, and Health pages. The Fitness page is where you'll start manual workouts on the Fitbit Air, while the Pixel Watch 4 starts a workout on its screen. The Sleep page is where you'll find your daily sleep score, and the Health page is the home for long-term fitness insights.

The data you can see for each tracker will vary, with the Pixel Watch 4 offering more information and features due to its extra sensors. Features like Satellite SOS, Loss of Pulse Detection, and Gemini Raise to Talk are only available on the Pixel Watch 4.

Notably, you can pair a Fitbit Air and a Pixel Watch 4 to the same Google Health app and Google account. This makes it possible to use the two trackers in tandem. You could use the Pixel Watch 4 as a smartwatch during the day and rely on the Fitbit Air as a sleep tracker, for example. This could make the Fitbit Air a competitor to the Garmin Index Sleep Monitor, a $170 sleep tracker designed to work with a Garmin watch.

Fitbit Air vs. Google Pixel Watch 4: Which should you buy?

The Google Pixel Watch 4 isn't a perfect smartwatch, and the Fitbit Air isn't a perfect fitness tracker. The Pixel Watch 4 is light on battery life and lacks the thin and light design of modern smartwatches, while the Fitbit Air forgoes some advanced sensors, features, and metrics.

The two devices may be better together. You could use the Pixel Watch 4 as a smartwatch and activity tracker during the day, and wear the more comfortable Fitbit Air to bed for sleep tracking while the other is charging overnight.

If you're considering a Pixel Watch 4 or already have one, the Fitbit Air is easy to tack on for just $99 more, and it'll greatly improve the experience of using either device alone. Those who aren't sold on the Pixel Watch 4 — or already have a different smartwatch — might like the Fitbit Air on its own at $99. It provides the fitness and health-tracking basics at a low cost that isn't dependent on a subscription, and that's hard to beat.

The Google Pixel Watch 4 and Fitbit Air exist in separate spheres, as one is a smartwatch and the other is a screenless band. Their audience appeal will overlap, though, and both achieve their goals of being slim and accessible (Fitbit Air) or smart and fully featured (Pixel Watch 4).

Many smart rings come with a subscription, but few double down on paid memberships as much as Oura rings. The recurring charges, plus the high upfront cost, make Oura Ring wearables tricky to justify. However, Oura has a new smart ring that aims to convince new users to try the form factor and get current users to upgrade — the Oura Ring 5. It's a design marvel, with a size that's around 40% smaller than the Oura Ring 4.

The biggest Oura Ring 5 upgrade is its thinner, lighter profile, which will help the smart ring blend in better on the finger. The design overhaul extends to the health and activity sensors themselves, which now make better contact with your skin for more accurate readings. Overall, the feature set sounds similar to the Oura Ring 4, so which should you buy? Let's break down all the differences and help you find the Oura smart ring that's right for you.

Oura Ring 5 vs. Oura Ring 4: Design, sizes, and materials

The Oura Ring 5 is all about refinement, and that's clear from its design. It's advertised as roughly 40% smaller than the Oura Ring 4, which might actually be underselling it. Looking at the dimensions of each smart ring, the newer model is seriously slim. The Oura Ring 5 only measures 2.28mm thick, down from 2.88mm on the Ring 4. That difference might not seem like much, but it'll make the Oura Ring 5 feel more like a jewelry ring than a clunky smart device on your finger.

The Oura Ring 5's weight reduction is even more impressive. Like with any smart ring, Oura rings are offered in different sizes, and they each have their own weights. Bigger sizes use more material and offer a higher battery capacity, so they're heavier. What's incredible here is that the lightest Oura Ring 4 size is still heavier than the heaviest Oura Ring 5 size.

The lightest Oura Ring 5 size weighs just two grams, while the heaviest one isn't much heavier at 2.69 grams. Meanwhile, the Oura Ring 4 weighs 3.3 grams at its lightest and 5.2 grams at its heaviest. That means the biggest Oura Ring 5 is almost half as light as the comparable Oura Ring 4. The lightweight and slim build of the Oura Ring 5 will hopefully make it blend in with your fingers with any other rings, so you forget you're wearing it.

One thing to note is that the sizing for the Oura Ring 5 is different from that of the Oura Ring 4, and there are fewer size options available on the newer model. The Oura Ring 4 is available in ring sizes four through 15, while the Oura Ring 5 is available in ring sizes six through 13. If you require larger or smaller sizes, you'll be out of luck with the Oura Ring 5. This also explains why the Ring 5 is so light, even in larger sizes, compared to the Ring 4.

That isn't a knock on the Oura Ring 5's weight reduction claims at all, however. The smaller size is larger this generation, and that Ring 5 variant is still 1.3 grams lighter than the size-four Ring 4 model.

The Oura Ring 4 launched in 2024 in a titanium finish, but Oura refreshed the smart ring in 2025 with a mid-cycle ceramic alternative. The Oura Ring 5 is only launching in a titanium finish for now, and it's possible that it too will see a mid-cycle refresh eventually. You can choose from Silver, Black, Stealth, Brushed Silver, Gold, and Deep Rose finishes for the Oura Ring 5. The first two options are $399, while the latter four are $499.

The Oura Ring 4 is available in Black, Brushed Silver, Gold, Silver, Rose Gold, and Stealth finishes. It starts at $349 for the Silver model, with other finishes available for $399 or $499. However, discounts are starting to hit for the Oura Ring 4 that make the premium finishes more accessible. Meanwhile, the Oura Ring 4 Ceramic is $499, but it's discounted to $399 at the time of publishing.

Oura Ring 5 vs. Oura Ring 4: Hardware and specs

Both the Oura Ring 4 and Oura Ring 5 share similar hardware and specs. They're made out of a "high-performance titanium exterior" and a "seamless titanium interior." Titanium is a lightweight yet durable metal, making it a solid material choice for a smart ring. Certain models, like the Ceramic or Stealth versions, will have differences in materials. The two Oura Ring generations have the same water resistance — up to a depth of 100 meters (328 feet).

The two rings each use a combination of infrared LEDs, a digital temperature sensor, and an accelerometer to process health and activity data. On the Oura Ring 5, these sensors are more accurate thanks to a few changes. The new design helps the Ring 5 make better contact with your finger's skin, and more powerful LEDs emit stronger red, green, and infrared pulses. There are exclusive features tied to the new model, like Blood Pressure Signs.

Battery life could be slightly longer on the Oura Ring 5, with the company touting up to nine days of runtime. The Oura Ring 4 advertises up to eight days of battery life. However, on both models, this will vary based on real-world usage habits and ring size. Charging will take up to 80 minutes to get to full on both ring models.

Unfortunately, you only get a charging base cable in the box with either the Oura Ring 5 or the Oura Ring 4. The charging case for both ring generations is optional and will run you $99 separately. It's a disappointing added cost you might want to tack onto the ring hardware and the perpetual subscription fee.

The Oura Ring 4 and Ring 5 both use Bluetooth Low Energy tech to connect to companion smartphones on either iOS or Android. The rings integrate with Apple Health or Google Health Connect, but these integrations won't help you avoid the Oura Membership fee.

Oura Ring 5 vs. Oura Ring 4: Subscription and features

Smart rings like the Oura Ring 4 and Oura Ring 5 are passive trackers, meaning they record health data in the background, which can be viewed in the Oura app. To view all these insights, you need the $5.99 monthly or $69.99 annual Oura Membership. Without it, your smart ring won't be able to do all the cool things advertised on Oura's website.

The Oura Ring 5 adds a new suite of AI-powered features called Health Radar. It uses AI models and health data from your smart ring to identify biometric trends that could indicate health problems. For instance, Blood Pressure Signs uses sleep data to pick up signs of cardiovascular strain. The Oura Ring 5 also supports live activity tracking in the app, with improvements to Automatic Activity Detection also available.

That said, the Ring 4 is still well-positioned to deliver fitness features and health insights. It provides activity and fitness data, readiness insights, stress analysis, and heart health and women's health information. The Oura Ring 5 does all this too, for what it's worth. Both rings can auto-detect up to 40 different workouts, while the Oura Ring 5 can provide up to 50 different metrics.

Oura Ring 5 vs. Oura Ring 4: Is it worth the upgrade?

The hurdle to buying an Oura smart ring is the subscription. To get all the health insights and features that make an Oura ring great, you need to subscribe to a monthly membership. It costs $5.99 per month or $69.99 per year, and frankly, it's an expensive requirement on top of the $350 or $400 you've already spent on Oura Ring 4 or Oura Ring 5 hardware. If you can get over that hurdle, there's a reason Oura smart rings are so popular.

The app analyzes your vitals and activity data to provide insights you wouldn't have known about otherwise. The Oura Ring 5 is thin and lightweight, making it the best option for new smart ring users. If you already have an Oura Ring 4, sticking with your current smart ring may be the best choice. It's not even two years old yet, and paying $400 to upgrade to an Oura Ring 5 already is difficult to justify.

Motorola has finally entered the premier foldables market in 2026 with the launch of the Razr Fold. First unveiled at CES 2026, the phone is now on sale, making it Motorola's most expensive smartphone today. In the time we spent reviewing it, we can confidently say that the Motorola Razr Fold gives stiff competition to Samsung and Google's offerings. But it's expensive, and in the same ballpark is yet another Motorola flagship foldable begging for your attention.

The Motorola Razr Ultra 2026 is the latest iteration this year, and prices have gone up, bringing it into the Razr Fold's territory. The Ultra is a more compact phone with a flagship processor while still delivering great battery life. Let's compare the two phones to see which one you should put your money on.

Motorola Razr Fold vs. Razr Ultra 2026: Design and display

It might be natural to assume that the phone with the smaller footprint should also be slimmer, but that's not the case. If you're looking for slimness, the Razr Fold has the Razr Ultra 2026 beat. Unfolded, the Fold measures just 4.7mm compared to 7.2mm on the Ultra. When folded, the Razr Fold is still moderately slim at 10.1mm vs. 15.7mm on the Ultra. Size-wise, the Razr Ultra is easier to handle thanks to the smaller dimensions.

The Ultra is also far lighter than the Razr Fold, weighing 199 grams vs. 243 grams. As far as build quality and toughness go, both phones do an excellent job, with each having a unique feature. The sturdy glass and aluminum body aside, the Razr Ultra 2026 is also MIL-STD-810H certified to survive falls, but it only has an IP48 rating. The Razr Fold lacks the military certification, but it is IP48/ IP49 rated for maximum water resistance.

The displays on both the Razr Fold and the Razr Ultra 2026 are phenomenal in their own right. Let's start with the Fold, which comes with an 8.1-inch folding pOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and up to 6,200-nit peak brightness. Then there's the outer display, which is an expansive 6.6-inch panel with a 165Hz refresh rate and up to 6,000-nit peak brightness. This display is also protected by the latest Gorilla Glass Ceramic 3.

The flip-style Razr Ultra 2026 boasts a 7-inch folding screen with an impressive 165Hz refresh rate and up to 5,000-nit peak brightness. The outer display is a 4-inch edge-to-edge display with the same refresh rate and up to 3,000 nits of brightness. This screen is protected by Gorilla Glass Ceramic.

The outer displays on both phones perform very well under any condition. Touch response is great, colors are vivid, and the high brightness makes the screens easily legible even under direct sunlight. The only thing to decide here is which size you're most comfortable with. The Razr Fold has the added advantage of supporting an active stylus called the Moto Pen Ultra, but this is sold separately.

Motorola Razr Fold vs. Razr Ultra 2026: Hardware and specs

The Motorola Razr Fold costs $1,899.99 at launch, and it comes in a single variant with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. Keep in mind that Motorola is known to drastically slash the prices of its phones during sales or even a few months after launch, so I fully expect a more attractive price very soon.

The processor in the Motorola Razr Fold is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 and not the 8 Elite Gen 5. It's still a flagship, though, and handles multitasking and heavy games really well. We tested it with titles like Honkai: Star Rail and Where Winds Meet at the highest settings and found no performance issues when playing.

The Razr Ultra 2026 comes in two colors and sells for $1,499 with 16GB RAM and 512GB of storage. It's $400 cheaper than the Fold, which isn't a small amount, since you can easily buy one of the best cheap phones for that difference. Motorola hasn't upgraded the processor in the 2026 version, as it uses the same Snapdragon 8 Elite from the 2025 model. This chip still has plenty of life left in it, so it's not a big deal, but I can see how it won't sit well for some, considering the price hike.

Thanks to the silicon-carbon battery tech, Motorola has managed to squeeze a massive 6,000mAh capacity in the Razr Fold, giving it incredible battery life. Charging speed is also very fast, thanks to 80W wired charging and 50W wireless charging. To get both these speeds, though, you'll need the appropriate charging adapters. There's no Qi2 charging support, which I find a little disappointing.

The Razr Ultra 2026 is no slouch, though. For its size, you still get a pretty big 5,000mAh capacity with 68W wired charging and 30W wireless charging. The battery life of both phones is really good and will easily last you a full day on one charge.

Motorola's software has generally been slick over the years, and its AI features have also gotten better, but there's still room for improvement till it reaches Samsung's or Google's level in my opinion. Then there's timely software updates and long-term support, which haven't been its strong suit. I hope the Razr Fold is the first phone to bring about that change, as for the first time, Motorola is promising seven years of OS upgrades, in line with Samsung and Google.

The incredible versatility is one of the main reasons you should consider buying the Razr Fold. You can easily open and use up to three apps at once in split-screen mode. Simply drag the app from the taskbar and choose the window size you want. There's an option to open a fourth app too, but this has to be done as a floating window. Then there's Desk Mode, which turns the Fold into a smart desk display showing you the clock, calendar, and upcoming tasks. All of this is handled beautifully without any hiccups.

The Razr Ultra 2026 also has some software tricks, but not on the same level as the Fold. My main gripe, though, is that the software update commitment is still three years for this phone, which could have easily been longer considering the Fold gets seven.

Motorola Razr Fold vs. Razr Ultra 2026: Cameras

The Motorola Razr Fold has more cameras than the Razr Ultra 2026, and arguably even better ones. Our in-depth camera review of the Fold blew us away with its amazing quality against phones like the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Honor Magic V6. Motorola has truly stepped up its camera game with fantastic Sony Lytia sensors. You get three 50MP sensors on the back, and 20MP and 32MP selfie cameras for the outer and inner displays, respectively.

The Motorola Razr Ultra 2026 gets a new camera sensor and a few new camera features, which are cool. The updated Camcoder Mode lets you perform zoom-in or zoom-out actions by simply twisting your wrist, all while keeping the horizon locked. The lack of a dedicated telephoto camera limits the zoom capability of the Ultra, though.

Motorola Razr Fold vs. Razr Ultra 2026: Which one should you buy?

If you're planning to spend more than $1,500 on a foldable, I would strongly recommend the Motorola Razr Fold over the Razr Ultra 2026. The Fold is the more versatile phone; it's slimmer, has better cameras, bigger displays, and lets you be more productive if you also throw the stylus into the mix.

The form factor might take some getting used to, but when it's folded, it should feel like a standard smartphone. Plus, you'll have many more years of OS upgrades, which is important when you're spending this sort of money.

The Razr Ultra 2026 is simply too expensive for what it offers. If it's the flip style you're after, then I suggest picking up the 2025 Razr Ultra at a much lower price while you can. You won't be losing out on much compared to the 2026 model, plus you can save a good chunk of change for accessories like a fancy case.

Samsung still reportedly leads the pack when it comes to global foldable smartphone market share, and it seems to be making big plans to hold on to it in 2026. After the launch of it's uber-premium Galaxy Z TriFold phone, the company is rumored to soon announce another model called the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide. As the name would suggest, it's expected to be a wider version of the Galaxy Z Fold 8. If true, this could probably be yet another experimental product to test the waters just like the Galaxy S25 Edge was.

While the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide would by no means be a cheap phone, it should be less expensive than the regular Galaxy Z Fold 8 putting it straight in the crosshairs of the Motorola Razr Fold. This is Motorola's debut book-style foldable and it's already looking very promising.

With the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide expected to arrive in July, should you wait for it or grab the Razr Fold now? Let's compare both phones based on what we know so far and see how they stack up.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide vs. Motorola Razr Fold: Pricing and availability

The Motorola Razr Fold launched in the U.S. on April 29, 2026. Pre-orders began starting May 14 and it will go on sale from May 21. Motorola has priced the Razr Fold at $1,900 and this is for the sole variant with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage. It comes in two colors, Pantone Blackened Blue and Pantone Lily White.

We are few months away from the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide to go official and I assume it should cost a bit less than the standard Galaxy Z Fold 8. Seeing how the current Galaxy Z Fold 7 starts at nearly $2,000, we can assume the same (if not $100 more) for the Galaxy Z Fold 8. This should put the Fold 8 Wide at around $1,800, if my assumption is correct.

I'm also expecting limited storage configurations for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide. We could be looking at a single configuration or at the most two, but no more. One of the configurations should definitely align with the Razr Fold, it's just the question of which one.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide vs. Motorola Razr Fold: Design and display

A few renders are all the proof we have at the moment of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide. Going off of this, we can see that the phone will have the same slim profile as the Galaxy Z Fold 7. This puts the unfolded thickness at roughly 4.2mm and just under 9mm when folded. The weight should be much lower than the Razr Fold too, closer to 200 grams (the Z Fold 7 is 215 grams).

The main difference is going to be the aspect ratio. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide will be shorter than the Razr Fold, but wider. For context, you can look at the Pixel 10 Pro Fold for reference on what to expect. Because of this change in design, we are also expecting one less rear camera, but more on this later.

We are expecting the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide to feature a similar water and dust protection as the current Z Fold, if not better. This means an IP48 rating at the very least. You should also expect strength improvements to the hinge and the folding UTG glass.

The display specs should be similar to the Galaxy Z Fold 7, apart from the aspect ratio. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide is expected to have a 5.4-inch cover screen and 7.6-inch folding screen. Both sizes are smaller than what the Razr Fold offers.

In comparison, the Motorola Razr Fold has similar dimensions as the Galaxy Z Fold 7, but it's thicker and heavier. When unfolded, the Razr Fold is 4.7mm thick and is quite chunky when folded at 10.1mm. It's also a lot heavier at 243 grams so ergonomics-wise, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide should easily win this round.

Motorola has given the Razr Fold an impressive water resistance rating of IP48/IP49. This still doesn't beat the Pixel 10 Pro Fold's IP68 rating, but it should be better than the Z Fold 8 Wide.

The Razr Fold packs impressive displays with a 6.6-inch outer screen and an 8.1-inch folding screen. Display specs are top-notch too. The outer display is protected by Gorilla Glass Ceramic 3, a 165Hz refresh rate, and up to 6,000 nits of peak brightness. The inner display has a 120Hz refresh rate and can hit up to 6,200 nits of peak brightness. The brightness of both screens should be more than double of what the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide would offer.

The Razr Fold has the added advantage of supporting an active stylus, which has to be purchased separately. There was talk about Samsung mulling over the idea of bringing S Pen functionality back to the Fold line, but we'll have to wait and see if this actually happens.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide vs. Motorola Razr Fold: Hardware and specs

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide will most likely use the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, the same chip used in the Galaxy S26 Ultra. This is a tier above the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, which is present in the Motorola Razr Fold. Raw performance should be better on the Razr but don't expect a massive difference with daily usage. I foresee Samsung sticking with 12GB of RAM as standard for the Fold 8 Wide, while storage could be either 256GB and 512GB or just 256GB.

As the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide is expected to be smaller than the regular Galaxy Z Fold 8, we could see a smaller battery. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 has a 4,400mAh battery, which is expected to go up in the Z Fold 8. So the Wide could have the same capacity as the Fold 7 or smaller. Charging speed should be around 25W too, along with 15W wireless charging. I'm curious to see if Qi2 will be supported.

In all likelihood, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide should run One UI 9 which will be based on Android 17. I'm fully expecting new Galaxy AI features that would be exclusive to the Fold 8 series and new UI elements to take advantage of the wider aspect ratio.

The Motorola Razr Fold features an almost flagship chip which should be good enough for even the most demanding tasks. It won't match the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide in benchmark numbers, but that really doesn't matter. Motorola is offering a single configuration of the Fold with 16GB RAM and 512GB of storage.

Battery specs are pretty impressive too. The Razr Fold has a massive 6,000mAh capacity with 80W wired charging and 50W wireless charging. Both these charging speeds will require specific Motorola chargers, though. I can confidently say that Samsung won't come close to the charging speeds or battery capacity that the Razr Fold offers.

Software is one area where the Razr Fold might not be able to compete well enough. Even though it runs Android 16 with the Hello UX skin and is promised to get seven years of OS upgrades, it'll be hard to match or beat Samsung's polished One UI and its suite of AI features, at least right now.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide vs. Motorola Razr Fold: Cameras

The Moto Razr Fold features a 50MP primary sensor, 50MP ultra-wide, and a 50MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. On the front, the outer display has a 32MP camera, while the inner display uses a 20MP sensor. The Razr Fold is capable of recording videos up to 8K at 30fps.

The cameras on the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide are completely unknown at this point, so your guess is as good as mine. Rumors suggest that it could have dual 50MP sensors on the back for a the main and ultrawide cameras. There won't be a telephoto camera which puts it at a severe disadvantage for zoom shots. The front-facing cameras will most likely be dual 10MP sensors, similar to what we've seen on the Fold 7.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide vs. Motorola Razr Fold: Should you wait till July?

We don't know if the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide is even real or if it will launch in July, so waiting for it might not be the wisest thing, especially if you need a phone upgrade right away. If it does end up launching, it'll be nice to have a bit more variety in Samsung's foldable lineup. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide should be a more compact variant of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and I really hope it gets a more attractive price too.

The Motorola Razr Fold is currently one of the best foldable phones in the market and it goes on sale from May 21. It's not as slim or light as the Galaxy, but it matches or beats it in pretty much all other areas. The pricing is great, there's support for a stylus if you need it, and you get Samsung's level of OS updates and a set of incredible displays. If you're just diving into the world of foldables, the Razr Fold would be a good place to start.

Motorola made a name for itself selling budget foldables as part of the Razr lineup, with recent models starting at as little as $699. Amid the smartphone component shortage, hitting that price point just isn't possible anymore. So, the Motorola Razr 2026 is here with a price tag that's $100 more expensive and with half the storage. Believe it or not, the Razr 2026 got the most upgrades out of any model in the new series despite that key downgrade.

Still, it may be tough to justify buying the Razr 2026 at its new $799 price point when the last-generation model can be had as low as $500. There are upgrades, but are they enough for the new model to command its inflated cost? Let's find out by comparing the Razr 2026 to the Razr 2025, and helping you decide which model is right for you.

Motorola Razr 2026 vs. Razr 2025: Design and displays

The design and displays of the Motorola Razr 2026 and Razr 2025 are extremely similar. That shouldn't be too surprising, since this is a tried-and-true Razr form factor that usually stays the same to enable an affordable price. From the outside, these two budget Razrs are identical. They have the same 15.85mm thickness when shut and weigh exactly 188 grams each.

The similarities extend to the screens, where both the Razr 2026 and Razr 2025 have 3.6-inch cover displays and 6.9-inch main displays. The smaller outer screen allows Motorola to put a colorful bezel above the display matching the PANTONE finishes on the back. I'm sure most people would prefer the larger Plus or Ultra cover screens if given the choice, but the PANTONE chassis on the front is certainly a nice compromise.

Even the brightness and refresh rates of each display are consistent across the two models. The Razr 2026 and Razr 2025 both sport a 120Hz main screen with 3,000 nits of peak brightness. Meanwhile, the cover screens only support 90Hz refresh rates and 1,700 nits of peak brightness.

In terms of durability, the two phones have a titanium-reinforced hinge mechanism and IP48 protection against dust and water. They're not completely dustproof like the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold, but the IP48 rating is decent for phones at this price point. The two phones each offer Gorilla Glass on the cover screen for scratch and crack protection.

For the second straight year, the base-model Razr offers the most expansive set of colorways of the Razr models. The Razr 2026 is sold in PANTONE Hematite, PANTONE Violet Ice, PANTONE Sporting Green, and PANTONE Bright White. For the Razr 2025, you can choose between PANTONE Spring Bud, PANTONE Gibraltar Sea, PANTONE Parfait Pink, and PANTONE Lightest Sky.

Motorola Razr 2026 vs. Razr 2025: Hardware and specs

Aside from the aforementioned downgrade to 128GB storage, the Motorola Razr 2026 upgrades the Razr 2025's hardware in numerous ways. The MediaTek Dimensity 7450X chip is more powerful than the 7400X inside the Razr 2025, even though both models have 8GB of memory. These are both still budget chipsets, but the Razr 2026 will have a slightly newer and more powerful processor than the Razr 2025.

Each phone comes with stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos audio. For connectivity, you get Bluetooth 5.4 Low Energy support, 5G, and Wi-Fi 6E. There's a fingerprint sensor on the side power button for biometrics, in addition to face unlock compatibility.

Motorola Razr 2026 vs. Razr 2025: Cameras

The biggest quality-of-life upgrade is the new battery. The Razr 2026 includes a fresh 4,800mAh battery capacity, enabling a longer runtime. The Razr 2025's 4,500mAh is solid for the price point and form factor, but the newer model takes battery capacity to the next level. Both phones support 30W wired charging and 15W wireless charging.

Finally, we have the cameras. Both phones utilize a 50MP rear primary camera and a 32MP front-facing camera on the inside. However, the Razr 2026 upgrades the ultrawide camera to use a 50MP sensor and a wider 122-degree field of view. The Razr 2025's ultrawide lens is only 13MP and has a slightly narrower 120-degree field of view. If you care about the quality and detail of your wide shots, the Razr 2026 will offer a noticeable improvement.

There are software tweaks and new features to the Razr 2026 camera system, too. You get a Frame Match feature that uses software to add a stencil-like overlay to the camera viewfinder. So, you'd take a picture of the angle you want, hand the Razr 2026 over to your photographer, and they'll match the viewfinder with the outline to take the perfect photo of you. It all but eliminates bad photos, even with inexperienced photographers.

The Razr 2026 also adds Rotate to Zoom, which lets you twist your wrist to zoom in or out in camcorder mode. While the Razr 2025 does have camcorder mode, it's unclear whether these new features will come to the older model.

Motorola Razr 2026 vs. Razr 2025: Which should you buy?

It's rare that I compare two smartphones and end up at the conclusion that both phones are solid values at their respective price point, but that's where the Razr 2026 and Razr 2025 have left me. I wish the Motorola Razr 2026 either kept its $699 price point or retained its 256GB of storage. However, with rising smartphone prices industry-wide, the Razr 2026 is still a decent value even with only 128GB of storage. It launches with Android 16 and three years of Android OS upgrades to follow, so it'll be able to last.

Meanwhile, the Razr 2025 only has two Android OS upgrades remaining, and it has weaker hardware overall (excluding that coveted 256GB storage). The price reflects the hardware, though, since you can find brand-new Razr 2025 phones for around $500. It's a win-win scenario, because you can take the weaker hardware and shorter software support window to save, or you can pay more for the upgrades and longer support.

If you can wait, my recommendation would be to be patient and let Razr 2026 discounts come to you. In a few months, we'll probably see Motorola and partner retailers take $100 or $200 off the price of a Razr 2026. That would certainly sweeten the deal, and make the Razr 2026 just as good of a value as the cheaper models that came before it.

Samsung’s latest Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are, without a doubt, the best flagship earbuds they’ve put out to date. They tick so many boxes that I said they’re the best active noise-canceling earbuds you can buy if you’re a newer Samsung Galaxy phone owner. Even if you aren’t, given their price, great sound quality, and smart features like offline voice controls, they may be worth the purchase if you have an older or non-Samsung phone.

Then, I got my hands on the Sony WF-1000XM6, and whoa! Like Samsung's Buds 4 Pro, Sony’s XM6s are the best flagship earbuds they’ve put out, to date! They listened to customer feedback, improved on what was already arguably market-leading ANC, and made their earbuds even smarter than before! All of that comes at a cost, though. You’d spend $80 more than the Buds 4 Pro, but would it be worth it?

Let’s flesh out the differences and help you make the choice that makes the most sense for you!

Sony WF-1000XM6 vs. Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro: Beauty and the beats

Right out of the box, Samsung’s offering is more visually appealing, and though both give you only two color options in big chain stores, Samsung.com and Samsung Experience Stores have a gorgeous, exclusive Pink Rose colorway you can buy!

The industrial design of the Buds 4 Pro, with their stem-style design featuring metal-accented stems and polymer buds, looks more stylish than the bulbous, jellybean-shaped WF-1000XM6. Even the Buds 4 Pro’s case is a more visually interesting piece of hardware.

Sony eventually released a Smoky Pink color for the WF-1000XM5, and they have multiple color options for other earbuds, so it’s a safe bet that if you aren’t in a rush, you may eventually be able to get your XM6 in something other than black or platinum silver.

Today, though, I’ll give the edge to Samsung for the buds' and case's style appeal.

Suffering for one’s fashion only applies to clothes and footwear. Earbuds are a different beast. They may look amazing, but if they aren’t comfortable, you’re less likely to wear them regularly.

That wasn’t the case for me. I prefer the foam ear tips on Sony’s offering more because the oval silicone tips on the Buds 4 Pro, as comfortable as they were, weren't as comfortable in my ears. The foam ear tips also have better passive noise cancellation.

That said, I’ve been browsing the web for user posts, and it appears the XM6's fit and size can be polarizing compared to the Buds 4 Pro. This is despite Sony offering an additional set of ear tips to help you get the right fit.

Some users said the XM6 looked huge in their ears, even though they didn't have small ears. Personally, I don’t care how large they look in my ears as long as they don’t feel huge and have a big sound.

Sony WF-1000XM6 vs. Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro: Which is the better "daily driver?"

Both earbuds’ companion apps are very robust, making daily use intuitive and easy. That said, their onboard controls are different, which will be an important consideration for some. The Buds 4 Pro feature touch and pressure-sensitive stems, while Sony offers only touch-based controls.

That said, I found both sets of controls worked almost effortlessly during use, and the only advantage I’d give to Samsung is for gym-goers. You’ll never have to worry about wet hands with pressure controls.

It’s a bit of a wash, though, because while both earbuds offer excellent offline voice controls, Sony gives you a more extensive set of things you can control via offline commands, so your need to touch them is greatly diminished.

One last note on moisture affecting your earbuds’ operation: You’ll also have less to worry about with the Samsung earbuds getting wet, because they provide a submersible IP57 water and dust ingress protection, while Sony offers lesser protection with a splash-resistant IPX4 rating.

I’m somewhat of a big dude (6’, 225lbs), so both earbuds’ cases fit well in the coin pockets of my jeans. For smaller folk, I can see the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro being a better fit for less spacious pockets.

With Samsung, you’re going to need to pull that case out of your pocket more frequently for charging. In my testing, I was getting roughly six hours of use, while Sony was getting around eight.

Both pairs of earbuds offer fast charging, so you can top up quickly if you need to hit the gym after a long day of battery-draining usage. If you need enough power to get you through long days, Sony is the clear winner here.

Sony WF-1000XM6 vs. Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro: Which one sounds better, though?

Sound quality should be the most important feature of a pair of earbuds, but when I talk to people, it seems to take a backseat to the features I’ve explored above. Both pairs of earbuds deliver solid sound signatures, with each offering the best sound reproduction in its line to date. That said, Sony gets the win for its default sound profile.

With the default settings, Sony handles dynamics better than Samsung. If you play with Samsung’s excellent presets (Dynamic, for instance) or the robust EQ, you get much closer to Sony. When listening to the Charles Mingus track, “Moanin’,” the Buds 4 Pro muddle the sounds together during the most frenetic parts of the song, as I said in my full review. Sony handles the load more deftly, providing solid instrument separation despite the melee of brass bombarding your auditory senses.

The other issue here is the choice of device. Sony includes the hi-res LDAC codec, in addition to SBC and AAC, while Samsung offers its proprietary Samsung Seamless Codec (SSC and SSC UHQ), which only works with more recent Samsung phones. Both earbuds support LE Audio with Auracast. That means Android users get broader support for the best possible audio quality from Sony. In addition, Sony has true multipoint, which Samsung lacks.

Sony's handling dynamics are better than Samsung's, also extending to ANC quality. They’re both strong, but the WF-1000XM6 cancels more sound at the low and high ends of the frequency spectrum. Part of the reason is that Sony has eight microphones to Samsung’s six, so it captures more ambient sound data. This disparity in microphones also shows up in call quality. Though both have bone conduction sensors, Sony handles call quality better in more dynamic conditions, such as on a windy day.

Sony WF-1000XM6 vs. Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro: Which should you buy?

For $80 less, and despite the fact that the WF-1000XM6 is better at many things than the Buds 4 Pro, when you add in the ecosystem tie-in to Samsung devices, it’s the all-around better choice for those invested in the Samsung ecosystem.

For everyone else, Sony has better ANC, voice controls, sound, and battery life. Without Samsung's ecosystem to contend with, Sony wins.

In a battle of two heavyweights, what determines the outcome? Especially when they may seem evenly matched? Many times it comes down to the little things. A comparison between the two that highlights the not-so-obvious features that could be defining factors in determining a winner.

Such a battle can be found when comparing the top two active noise-canceling champs in the earbuds space: the Sony WH-1000XM6 and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen).

Everyone’s hearing differs a bit, so I can tell you that one cancels out certain frequencies better than the other, but that doesn’t matter so much if your ears don’t pick those up well anyway. Read on, and I’ll dig into both the big and the subtle feature differences between them so that you can make the best purchasing decision for you!

The rundown

Build quality & comfort

Cracking open the packaging, the first thing you’ll notice is that the Bose QC Ultra (2nd Gen)’s case is a bit more compact than the Sony WH-1000XM6’s case. It isn’t a monumental difference, but it is easily observable. This also translates to the headphones themselves.

While Sony has new metal hinges that let it store more compactly than before, Bose still takes the cake for how small it folds up in its case. If you need to “ball them up” and stuff them into a bag, they’ll have a slightly smaller footprint.

I appreciate the build quality of both pairs of headphones. I review a lot of high-end headphones, and by comparison, these are “plasticky,” but that’s because they’re meant for travel with long hours of wear. They don’t feel cheap, though. The springs, hinges, and friction sliders all feel durable and like they’ll last over time.

Sony’s headphones feel tighter in their hinges’ swivel and in the springs that press the cups against your head, while Bose’s friction slider for vertical adjustments on your head has more friction, so it feels like it will stay in place better.

Overall, Bose feels more comfortable to me over long periods of wear due to it’s noticeably lighter clamping force. That also means you probably won’t like these if you wear them in the gym.

On the other hand, Sony’s offering feels more locked into your head, which you'd think would make them great for workouts. I wouldn’t recommend that with either pair, though, as they don’t have any IP rating against water ingress. That said, a quick search of Al Gore’s internets shows that there are users who’ve utilized earlier models in the gym for years without issue. It’s hit or miss, though, so use them in the gym at your peril, or check out our roundup of the best headphones for the gym.

Controls

I’ve said before that I prefer mechanical controls over touch controls, but that’s more for products I’ll regularly use for workouts. Both headphones have two buttons for power, pairing, and ANC control, but Bose’s multifunction button also controls media playback and phone calls. Additionally, Bose has a volume slider that makes it easy to adjust volume without acquiring new muscle memory beyond getting used to its location.

Sony, on the other hand, utilizes high-quality touch controls for media playback and phone calls, but with a caveat: they’re smarter. With Sony, you also get the ability to simply nod or shake your head to answer phone calls. I definitely prefer that to any physical interaction, especially when it works as reliably as Sony’s implementation.

There’s also more customization available to users through Sony’s Sound Connect app. You can customize playback and ANC in the app based on geotagged locations or your activity/movement, such as walking or running.

Active noise canceling

This is an easy one. They both have market-leading noise-canceling functionality, but the Sony WH-1000XM6 cancels slightly more sound at both ends of the frequency spectrum.

The difference, though, is marginal, considering far too many people can’t tell the difference between a middling MP3 and a FLAC file played back with high-end headphones. Trust us. We tested that with a small sampling of users via a blind “taste test.”

Sound quality

This is where we really get into preference. I’ll summarize the difference between the sound quality of the Sony WH-1000XM6 and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) in this way:

• Sony = warm and dark with delightful dynamics
• Bose = neutral with some sparkle at the top

Sony’s have more presence and more weight to their sound. They are tuned warmer than the Bose QC Ultra 2, but both headsets do a strong job of retrieving nuanced detail.

Despite these tunings, when listening to “Do You Want More?!!!??!” by The Roots, Black Thought’s lyrics had more presence with Sony than with Bose. That difference didn’t sound artificial or stilted, but a byproduct of the differing dynamics of the two pairs of headphones.

Bose is more neutral and reproduces audio closer to how it was recorded, while Sony's tuning gives more weight to lows and highs. The good thing about Sony, though, is that the Sound Connect app offers excellent EQ options via its 10-band equalizer, so you can get the sound out of the XM6’s that you’re looking for.

On the other hand, if you don’t like the more neutral reproduction of the QC Ultra 2, you have only a 3-band equalizer to attempt to get your preferred sound dialed in. Both headphones have preset EQ options as well, though Sony offers twice as many as Bose.

With Spotify lossless and hi-res music being a thing these days, Bose is more future-proof as it allows for both audio over USB-C and 3.5mm connections. With Sony, you get only the 3.5mm analog audio option. When listening to the XM6, the sound is darker with the headphones powered down, but brighter and more energetic with them powered on. That DAC has solid power output, as I didn’t have to crank it as much as I did the Bose when connected to Fosi Audio’s excellent ZH3 headphone DAC/Amp.

The Bose QC Ultra (2nd Gen) must be powered on during wired playback and is brighter over wire, giving the perception of better detail retrieval. Immersion mode with some Jazz tracks makes listening even more fun.

Sounds like a winner!

For me, this is tough because I really like both pairs of headphones. I prefer Sony’s stock sound profile to Bose's, and its customizability as well. With Bose, the lighter clamping force, slightly more travel-friendly size, aesthetics, and mechanical controls suit me better.

The ANC of either pair of headphones has the market cornered, but if you’re a frequent flyer, you’ll probably prefer Sony over Bose for its ability to correct for pressure differences at altitude. That is, unless you find Sony’s clamping force a bit too aggressive for those long-haul flights, then Bose is your Huckleberry.

I’d have a tough time choosing which to spend my money on, but I think I’d go with Sony because music is the most important aspect for me, and, out of the box, I prefer Sony’s stock sound as well as its superior smarts.

Premium phones come in different packages, from foldables to sleek bar style phones. With the Motorola Razr Ultra 2026 vs. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, you get one of each. If you're unsure if you even need a foldable or if the advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are worth foregoing that convenience, this comparison will help.

Motorola Razr Ultra 2026 vs. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Design and basics

In the looks department, these phones are designed very differently from one another. The Motorola Razr Ultra 2026 is a flip-style phone with a 4-inch 165Hz, 3,000-nit external screen and a larger 7-inch Extreme AMOLED inner screen with a 165Hz refresh rate and 5,000-nit peak brightness when you open it up.

Ultra-thin in design, it comes in two finishes: Pantone Orient Blue with an embossed Alcantara texture using the made-in-Italy material that has a micro-lattice pattern, and Pantone Cocoa with a natural wood veneer.

These two finishes are undoubtedly stylish, but Android Central's Derrek Lee says in his hands-on review that he wishes there were a few more options, noting that the Orient Blue skews more toward purple than blue. The phone is durable as well, with Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 3 for better drop performance, an IP48 rating for dust and water resistance, and a titanium reinforced hinge.

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra employs a very different design. It's a traditional bar-style phone that's ultra-slim and pocketable, but the camera sensors stick out from the body, causing it to sit off-balance when you set it down. You get a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen with 120Hz and 2,600-nit brightness, so it's as large as the Motorola Razr Ultra 2026 without the option to fold it in half to toss into your purse or pocket. It's up to you to decide if that matters.

Nicholas Sutrich notes in his review that the display isn't "even remotely impressive," with resolution, nits, and refresh rate that are all nothing to write home about. His separate review of the display alone suggests Samsung lags when it comes to eye comfort, too.

There are five finish options from which to choose: Sky Blue, Black, and Cobalt Violet are standard, while you can also get the Samsung-exclusive Pink Gold or Silver Shadow. Made of durable Armor Aluminum with Corning Gorilla Glass, it meets an IP68 rating, making it more sealed against dust, which is typical of bar versus foldable phones.

One of the defining features of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is the built-in Privacy Screen, which Sutrich refers to in his review of the phone as "the most exciting display feature we've seen in a decade." It can darken the screen so others can't see what you're viewing from the sides. You can turn this on or off at will, but also activate it only for certain apps or notifications like banking, or only when you enter a PIN, password, or pattern to access sensitive information.

A maximum level protection option is great if you place the phone down beside you during a work lunch, making the screen difficult to read even then. It's such a useful feature and one that should be in every phone. For now, Privacy Display makes the Galaxy S26 Ultra stand out.

Notably, there's also a built-in S Pen for easier navigation, note-taking, sketching, and more for those who prefer it. It fits so seamlessly into the phone's housing, you won't even notice it's there. But Sutrich points out that the curve at the end of the pen makes it possible to insert it the wrong way. The inclusion of the S Pen may also be why the phone, yet again, does not have Qi2 magnets inside, though it's "Qi2 ready".

Motorola Razr Ultra 2026 vs. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Specs

See how these two phones compare at-a-glance with this handy spec table.

The Razr is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery that will give you about a day and a half per charge. It can recharge quickly using 68W TurboPower charging, giving you another day after just eight minutes. It also supports 30W wireless charging as well as 5W reverse charging.

With USB-C, two microphones, and stereo Dolby speakers with Snapdragon sound and Spatial Audio, the Motorola Razr Ultra 2026 comes with either 256GB or 512GB of storage. You'll get three years of software and five years of security updates, which is far behind the seven years that competitors like Samsung and Google typically offer. The phone is set to be available in late May 2026.

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has the same 5,000mAh battery that's rated to last for up to 31 hours of continuous video playback. Once ready to recharge, it supports Super Fast Charging 3.0 at 60W wired and up to 25W wireless charging as well as Wireless PowerShare for reverse charging. Sutrich says he got the phone from 0-80% in 30 minutes using a wired charger, which is a massive improvement from previous-generation Galaxy devices. Though the phone still should have a bigger battery, as such a premium device.

You get dual speakers with spatial audio, including advanced 360 Audio with head tracking when using a compatible pair of Samsung Galaxy earbuds, like the new Galaxy Buds Pro4. With Knox security, you can opt for 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB storage capacities.

Motorola Razr Ultra 2026 vs. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Productivity and usability

Beyond the design, it's important how these phones operate and support your daily tasks, from productivity to entertainment. The Motorola Razr Ultra 2026 comes with Android 16 alongside Moto AI.

It's powered by a Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, the same as the Razr Ultra 2025, an odd decision as it would have been nice to have the Gen 5 version as an upgrade. This may have been, however, to help keep pricing leveled, and Lee notes that most users won't know the difference anyway. You get 16GB RAM with up to 16GB more using RAM Boost, though our experts advise against using this as it ends up slowing down functions of the phone.

There's a lot of convenience in having the outer screen. You can access apps and games without opening the phone. You can customize its look with different layouts, panels, widgets, and video wallpapers (a new option fans have been asking for), even display live notifications for things like sports scores or deliveries. You can also interact with the outer screen without touching it, like placing your hand over it to wake it up or silence an alarm.

You get tons of AI features, including those that come standard now with Moto AI, like Catch Me Up, Next Move, and Daily Drop (similar to Samsung's Now Brief), along with Google Gemini, Gemini Live, Circle to Search, Microsoft Copilot, and Perplexity. So, you can get assistance with everything from making travel plans to looking up details about a restaurant, composing an e-mail, creating a photo or avatars, and more.

Samsung dubs the Galaxy S26 Ultra an "AI phone" with heavy AI integration as well, with software at its core. You get a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy processor with Android 16 and One UI 8.5 for further customization. The 256GB and 512GB variations have 12GB RAM, but that increases to 16GB for the 1TB edition.

Galaxy AI facilitates features like Now Nudge and Now Brief, and you get Gemini, Gemini Live, Bixby, and Perplexity all built-in for simple access and assistance with AI-related tasks. There's virtually nothing in this phone that can't access the capabilities of AI, making it a powerhouse of an AI-driven device.

An important feature of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is the large Vapor Chamber that affords greater thermal performance. While the phone doesn't have as much RAM as the Motorola Razr Ultra 2026, unless you opt for the 1TB version, and its screen refresh rate is slower, you may be able to comfortably game with this phone with the confidence that it will remain cool.

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is supported by seven years of software and security updates, so you'll be able to keep it current for years longer than the Motorola Razr Ultra 2026.

Motorola Razr Ultra 2026 vs. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Cameras and AI photo features

Cameras in phones are so important nowadays, and both these devices boast impressive ones. The Motorola Razr Ultra 2026 has a triple-camera system with a 50MP LOFIC sensor that affords up to six times more dynamic range, a 50MP ultra-wide lens with macro vision, and a 50MP internal camera.

While Lee did not get the chance to try the cameras yet, he notes that the Razr Ultra 2025 has a good camera already, so it's likely this one will follow suit. And the camera spec improvements are one reason to upgrade if you have the older model.

The biggest advantages of the camera come with the flippable design along with the AI features. Use Flex View positions, for example, so the phone acts as its own tripod, with a preview of an image on the front display for taking a selfie. For group shots, AI can take multiple frames and stitch them together to ensure you get the best expression from everyone, similar to Google Pixel's Best Take feature.

Signature style can automatically learn your editing preferences to help you get great photos off the bat, while frame match locks the frame so you can hand the phone to someone else and they can follow guides to get the exact photo you intended to capture. This feature sounds a lot like Google Pixel's Camera Coach.

There are also enhanced watermarks that can blend into the image with similar colors, and an ultra HDR mode that optimizes images for Instagram with up to 5x enhanced dynamic range, whether you're shooting from the camera app or right from within the social site. Another cool feature is Google Photos wardrobe, which can digitize your closet to help you mix and match items based on what you have worn in previous photos in your library, even virtually try them on. Neat!

Other camera features include the ability to animate still photos and use tools like Magic Eraser, camouflage (to blend distracting objects), and AI to describe desired edits, like removing objects, changing backgrounds, or improving lighting. With Ask Photos, you can search for a specific memory with voice prompts.

While recording videos, there's a camcorder mode with a new rotate-to-zoom feature that lets you rotate your wrist ever so slightly to instantly zoom in on a subject while recording. Lee says this works well, keeping the video stable while you do it. But he adds that there's a risk of accidentally activating this feature when you don't intend to, since the required movement is so slight.

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has decent cameras, though one thing you'll learn is that they simply aren’t good enough for a flagship phone. It has a 200MP main wide camera, 50MP ultra-wide, 50MP periscope telephoto with 5x zoom, 10MP telephoto with 3x zoom, and 12MP front camera. You will get consistent photos that are balanced with natural colors, accurate lighting, and fine detail, even in low light, especially with the 200MP main camera. But it's a fantastic median experience, not one that blows others out of the water.

That said, the software is among the best, and camera features, including ones that leverage AI, are top-notch. The most talked-about camera feature on the Galaxy S26 Ultra is Super Steady Video with Horizontal Lock. With this feature, you can record video while moving, even on uneven surfaces, and the footage will come out looking steadier than it was in reality.

You could even rotate the phone a full 360° and the subject will remain in frame, no one any the wiser when looking at the final product. It works amazingly well, though there's some loss of quality. But for parents taking video while running on the sidelines of their kids' soccer game or shooting your pup running in the park while you run with them, it makes a huge difference.

Another impressive photo feature is Photo Assist, where you can give the phone prompts to adjust photos as needed. This goes above and beyond the usual removal of a distracting object, reflections, or fixing blur. You can add a missing piece to an item, like a birthday cake, change your outfit, or even create entirely new photos from existing ones. It's not only a fun feature but also incredibly useful, and it will blow you away with how well it works.

Motorola Razr Ultra 2026 vs. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Which should you buy?

Both the Motorola Razr Ultra 2026 vs. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are solid premium phones, but with two very different design propositions. The Motorola Razr Ultra 2026 is a more pocketable phone since it can flip closed, the external screen providing plenty of advantages, from easy access to updates and notifications to snapping photos. It's poised to take over the Motorola Razr Ultra 2025 as the best overall flip phone.

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, meanwhile, is slim and sleek, but larger. It offers a seamlessly built-in S Pen that provides another level of convenience for things like note-taking, web navigation, and sketching.

I'm almost inclined to say that the Motorola Razr Ultra 2026 design is better for entertainment, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is better for productivity. But both have such fantastic features that will appeal to the opposite use as well. So, the decision will really come down to design preference.

They're equally powerful, both loaded with AI features, and offer a decent amount of support for as long as you'll likely have the phone before wanting to upgrade. Samsung's seven-year promise, however, means you'll get a lot more value from the Galaxy S26 Ultra amortized over time.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra might be the better phone. Having spent significant time with it myself, it performs really well for everything from productivity to photo and video capture. The AI experience is brilliant, and while the phone is a big bar-style device, it's still super slim and will slide into a larger pocket. It's not perfect, but it's a fantastic device worth getting.

That said, if you want a flip-style phone, the Motorola Razr Ultra 2026 is worth considering. Its design is elegant and functional, it's durable, and it doesn't skimp on features. What more could you ask for? Truly, either phone will put a smile on your face.

It's officially foldable season, with Motorola kicking things off by launching the Razr 2026 series and the Razr Fold. Now, it's up to Samsung to respond with the Galaxy Z Flip 8 and the Galaxy Z Fold 8. Rumors and leaks are swirling around the Galaxy Z Flip 8 already, and you might be wondering how it'll compare to Samsung's last flip phone. So far, the smartphone market in 2026 has told a story of minimal hardware upgrades and pricing challenges. Will the story be the same for the Galaxy Z Flip 8?

Right now, it's hard to say for sure. We can expect the Galaxy Z Flip 8 to offer design refinements, a new Exynos processor, and Android 17 software. Beyond that, everything is up in the air. A price hike could be the difference between recommending the Galaxy Z Flip 7 or the Galaxy Z Flip 8 in a few months, but exact prices haven't leaked yet. Here's everything we know so far about how Samsung's current clamshell foldable will compare to the next one.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 vs. Galaxy Z Flip 7: Pricing and availability

Samsung foldables usually launch in midsummer, and current leaks suggest the same for the Galaxy Z Flip 8. The release date for the Galaxy Z Flip 8 looks to be July 22, 2026, according to Korea Economic TV. The opening of the pre-order window and the Galaxy Unpacked event should both come ahead of that date, likely sometime in July. The rumored location for this year's summer Galaxy Unpacked showcase is London.

The key aspect of the Galaxy Z Flip 8 to watch is the phone's pricing. The Galaxy Z Flip 7 starts at $1,099 for the 256GB variant, but component shortages have increased the cost of parts and stretched margins throughout the entire industry. It wouldn't be surprising if Samsung hiked foldable prices to compensate; in fact, it might be more surprising if the price wasn't higher.

Samsung revealed the Galaxy Z Flip 7 on July 9, 2025, and it became generally available for purchase on July 25. The 256GB model costs $1,099, with the upgrade to 512GB adding $120 to the sticker price. It's available in Blue Shadow, Jetblack, and Coralred colorways, plus a Samsung online exclusive Mint colorway. Nearly a year later, there are only slight Galaxy Z Flip 7 discounts up for grabs. If you'll settle for a "renewed," "refurbished," or used device, you'll end up paying roughly half the cost of a new phone.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 vs. Galaxy Z Flip 7: Design and displays

The most interesting part of the Galaxy Z Flip 8 might be the phone's design. Samsung already has a foldable thinner and lighter than Motorola with the Galaxy Z Flip 7, and it has the chance to widen its lead with the Galaxy Z Flip 8. There are conflicting rumors about the upcoming device's thickness, with some suggesting the new model could be slightly thicker. Even if that's the case, leaks predict the Galaxy Z Flip 8 will be significantly lighter than its predecessor.

For context, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 measures 13.7mm thick when folded and weighs 188 grams. It sports an IP48 rating against dust and water ingress, but it isn't dustproof. Since Google introduced the Pixel 10 Pro Fold with IP68 certification, it remains to be seen if Samsung will try to match that spec with either the Galaxy Z Flip 8 or Galaxy Z Fold 8.

The high-level specs of the Galaxy Z Flip 8 displays will likely match the Galaxy Z Flip 7. We'll probably see a 6.9-inch (or similar) inner display with a 4.1-inch cover display, both featuring 120Hz OLED display panels. However, Samsung might shake things up by offering a creaseless display thanks to a new hinge design and fresh ultra-thin glass (UTG), according to the latest rumor.

Overall, though, we can expect the Galaxy Z Flip 8 to offer a similar design to the Galaxy Z Flip 7.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 vs. Galaxy Z Flip 7: Hardware and specs

Samsung made the switch from Qualcomm to Exynos chips for the Galaxy Z Flip 7 last year, and by all accounts, it'll likely stick with its own in-house processors for the Galaxy Z Flip 8. The chip that'll likely power the Galaxy Z Flip 8 is already out — it's the Samsung Exynos 2600, which also runs the Galaxy S26 in some global markets. It's a 2nm chip with a new CPU layout that Samsung claims is 39% faster. That chip is paired with 12GB of memory.

It'll be faster than the Exynos 2500 in the Galaxy Z Flip 7, but perhaps not by enough to warrant an upgrade for that reason alone. Samsung will probably keep storage options identical on the Galaxy Z Flip 8 by offering a 256GB base model and an upgraded 512GB tier.

Samsung could increase the battery capacity of the Galaxy Z Flip 8, but we don't have rumors suggesting that yet. For now, we can at least expect the same 4,300mAh capacity as the Galaxy Z Flip 7. Charging speeds will match the 25W wired, 10W wireless, and 4.5W reverse wireless speeds of the Galaxy Z Flip 7 — if they're not faster. The company could add Qi2 magnets to the Galaxy Z Flip 8, though this addition doesn't seem like a huge priority for Samsung.

Finally, we can expect the Galaxy Z Flip 8 to ship with the One UI 9 operating system, based on Android 17. It'll get seven years of full Android OS upgrades thereafter. Of course, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 will eventually get the boost to One UI 9 at some point.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 vs. Galaxy Z Flip 7: Cameras

There may be more similarities than differences between the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 8 camera systems, even down to the hardware. The new model could feature the same 50MP primary rear camera and 12MP ultrawide lens as the Galaxy Z Flip 7, which is also the same as the Galaxy Z Flip 6. It'll likely use an identical 10MP hole-punch selfie camera on the inner screen.

There could be new software features that improve the experience, however. The Galaxy S26 series introduced a new 24MP camera mode as well as a "Horizontal Lock" video stabilization feature. It's possible we could see these features, or similar exclusives, appear on the Galaxy Z Flip 8. The new Exynos 2600 chipset might bring image-signal processing (ISP) improvements that enhance output despite using the same hardware.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 vs. Galaxy Z Flip 7: Should you wait?

The two main things to watch ahead of the Galaxy Z Flip 8's release window are the phone's folding display and price point. Although some rumors painted a bleak picture of Galaxy Z Flip 8 improvements, newer leaks offer a more positive outlook. There's a thought that Samsung may implement a new hinge mechanism and a crease-free folding display on the new flip phone. Throw in a thinner and lighter design and a new processor, and the Galaxy Z Flip 8 could prove to be a compelling upgrade over its predecessor.

That could all change if the Galaxy Z Flip 8 is considerably more expensive than the Galaxy Z Flip 7. The new Motorola Razr Ultra 2026 is a preview of how the Galaxy Z Flip 8's value proposition could change with a price hike. Motorola offered a few neat upgrades with the Razr Ultra 2026, but perhaps not enough to justify the high price. If Samsung does indeed increase the Galaxy Z Flip 8's cost, the pressure will be high for the company to make the device worth it.

As of now, the Galaxy Z Flip 7's price isn't that enticing. Although it's over half a year old, the phone is only seeing very minor discounts at the time of publishing. Deals are much better if you settle for a used or refurbished model, but I doubt those looking at a brand-new Galaxy Z Flip 8 will want to do that. In the meantime, it's best to wait and see if better Galaxy Z Flip 7 deals come around ahead of its successor's launch.

Motorola has caught everyone's eye with the new Razr 2026 lineup. The top-end Moto Razr Ultra 2026 brings some major upgrades, including a flagship chipset, one of the largest batteries we've seen on a flip-style foldable phone in the U.S., much faster charging, and some really interesting material choices.

The other thing that immediately stands out is the price. The Razr Ultra 2026 is easily one of the most expensive flip-style foldables right now, but if you're looking for something in this compact form factor, Samsung still offers the Galaxy Z Flip 7 from last year as a strong alternative.

So which one should you actually go for, the Razr Ultra 2026 or the Galaxy Z Flip 7? Let's take a closer look at how they compare.

Motorola Razr Ultra 2026 vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7: Pricing and availability

Motorola took the wraps off the Razr 2026 lineup on April 29, 2026. The new lineup includes the base Razr, the mid-tier Razr Plus, and the top-end Razr Ultra. Motorola has been increasing prices across its portfolio, and as expected, the Razr Ultra 2026 sees a price jump as well. It's up by $200 this year, which means the Razr Ultra now starts at $1,500 in the U.S.

It comes in a single variant, though, with 512GB of storage and 16GB of RAM. In terms of design and finish, Motorola is offering some really interesting color options, including Pantone Orient Blue with an Alcantara finish and Pantone Cocoa with a wood finish. The Razr Ultra is currently available for pre-order and will go on sale starting May 21.

The Galaxy Z Flip 7, on the other hand, launched last year on July 9, 2025. Samsung introduced it at its summer Galaxy Unpacked event alongside other foldables. Unlike the Razr Ultra, the Z Flip 7 starts at a lower price, with the 256GB model priced at $1,100 and the 512GB variant at $1,219.

In terms of colors, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is available in four options: Blue Shadow, Jet Black, Coral Red, and Mint.

Motorola Razr Ultra 2026 vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7: Design and display

Motorola is one of the few smartphone brands that consistently experiments with different finishes and materials, and it continues that approach with the Razr Ultra. The Moto Razr Ultra 2026 comes in two standout finishes, one with a quilted Alcantara back and another with a wood finish.

Other than that, the Razr Ultra feels fairly familiar in terms of overall design. You get the Motorola logo on the back and Razr branding at the bottom. The front is almost entirely covered by the cover display, with two cutouts for the cameras and a flash.

It still uses a vertical folding design that opens up into a 7-inch display. Compared to the Galaxy Z Flip 7, the Razr Ultra has slightly curved edges, which should make it more comfortable to hold.

The Galaxy Z Flip 7, on the other hand, sticks to a similar vertically folding design but with flatter edges and a more boxy look. Like the Razr Ultra, it also has two camera cutouts and a flash on the cover display.

Despite being newer, the Razr Ultra is slightly thicker at 15.7mm when folded and also heavier at 199 grams, while the Galaxy Z Flip 7 comes in lighter at 188 grams.

In terms of durability, both phones offer IP48 dust and water resistance, but there are differences in display protection. Motorola uses Gorilla Glass Ceramic 3 for the cover screen, while Samsung sticks with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the Galaxy Z Flip 7.

Coming to the display, the Razr Ultra 2026 features the same 4-inch cover display and unfolds into a large 7-inch AMOLED panel with Dolby Vision support, up to a 165Hz refresh rate, and peak brightness of 3,000 nits.

The Galaxy Z Flip 7, on the other hand, has a slightly smaller 6.9-inch AMOLED display with 1080 x 2520 resolution and up to a 120Hz refresh rate. It has a slightly lower peak brightness at around 2,600 nits.

Motorola Razr Ultra 2026 vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7: Hardware and specs

Being foldable smartphones, you usually don't expect them to offer top-tier performance like the best Android flagships, but both the Razr Ultra 2026 and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 are surprisingly capable.

Samsung has traditionally used Snapdragon chips for its flip phones, but the Galaxy Z Flip 7 switched to the company's own Exynos 2500 chipset, the same one used in last year's Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus in some regions.

This is the first time Samsung has used Exynos on a foldable, and while it raised some concerns, there haven't been major complaints about performance so far. The Galaxy Z Flip 7 starts with 256GB of storage and goes up to 512GB, with both variants offering 12GB of RAM.

The Motorola Razr Ultra 2026, on the other hand, uses the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. It might not be the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 version, but it's still a very capable chip, especially for a foldable. Motorola also justifies the higher price by offering a single variant with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, which should be more than enough for most users.

When it comes to battery, though, Motorola clearly takes the lead. The Razr Ultra packs a 5,000mAh battery, which is the largest we've seen on a flip-style foldable and closer to what you'd expect from a regular flagship.

On top of that, it supports up to 68W wired fast charging, which is better than what most phones in the U.S. offer, along with 30W wireless charging.

The Galaxy Z Flip 7, on the other hand, sticks with a smaller 4,300mAh battery and 25W wired charging. It's not bad, but it doesn't quite match what Motorola is offering here, although Samsung might improve this with the Galaxy Z Flip 8.

Motorola Razr Ultra 2026 vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7: Software

Coming to the software, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 runs Android 16 out of the box with Samsung's One UI 8.5. It's only been a few days since Samsung started rolling out One UI 8.5 to the Flip 7, bringing features like a customizable Quick Settings panel, improvements to first-party apps, and support for AirDrop sharing.

Even though the Motorola Razr Ultra 2026 is newer, it's worth noting that the Galaxy Z Flip 7 will likely be supported for much longer. Samsung has committed to up to seven major Android updates for the device, which is a big advantage if you plan to keep your phone for a while.

It's not all bad for Motorola, though. The Razr Ultra also runs Android 16 out of the box and brings a bunch of its own features. One of them is Daily Drop, which is quite similar to Samsung's Now Brief, giving you a single screen with updates like calendar events, news, weather, and even Google Photos memories.

On top of that, Motorola has introduced a feature called Wardrobe, which turns your photo library into a sort of digital closet, acting like a personal stylist using your existing images.

Motorola Razr Ultra 2026 vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7: Cameras

Coming to the cameras, Motorola has clearly upgraded the setup on the Razr Ultra this year. The phone comes with a new 50MP LOFIC sensor, which is designed to improve dynamic range and color reproduction from the main camera. This is paired with a 50MP ultra-wide sensor with a 122-degree field of view.

Even the selfie camera on the inner display is a 50MP sensor. On the video side, you get support for up to 8K at 30fps and 4K at up to 120fps, along with Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support.

The Galaxy Z Flip 7, on the other hand, comes with a 50MP primary sensor and a 12MP ultra-wide. The inner selfie camera is lower at 10MP, and video recording is limited to 4K at 60fps.

On paper, Samsung does seem to be behind here, although we haven't fully tested the Motorola Razr Ultra 2026 yet, so it's still too early to judge real-world camera performance.

Motorola Razr Ultra 2026 vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7: Which one should you buy?

At the end of the day, the choice between the Motorola Razr Ultra 2026 and the Galaxy Z Flip 7 comes down to what you value more. The Razr Ultra clearly wins on hardware, better battery, faster charging, improved cameras, and those unique finishes that actually make it feel different from every other phone.

But that $1,500 price tag makes it a tough sell.

The Galaxy Z Flip 7, while not as flashy, still offers a more balanced experience with longer software support, better Galaxy AI features, and a more approachable price. For most people, Samsung probably makes more sense.

But if you want something that feels fresh and don't mind paying extra for it, the Razr Ultra is still a solid pick.

Samsung found a hit with the Galaxy Z Fold 7 last year, but the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 8 needs to do even more to solidify its spot as the best North American foldable. Since the Galaxy Z Fold 7's release, Google has launched the Pixel 10 Pro Fold with magnetic Qi2 support and IP68 certification. Motorola is launching the Razr Fold with optional stylus support, adding the feature Samsung removed from the Galaxy Z Fold 7.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 needs to be good enough to not only beat older Samsung foldables but also the latest from Google and Motorola. If it lives up to that standard, it could prove to be a major upgrade over the Galaxy Z Fold 6 — the last Samsung foldable to support the S Pen. If you're a Galaxy Z Fold 6 user wondering if it'll be soon time to upgrade, this is how the two-year-old foldable will compare to the Galaxy Z Fold 8.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 6: Pricing and availability

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 is expected to be released sometime in July 2026 at an upcoming Galaxy Unpacked event. Current leaks point to the foldable's release date being July 22, 2026. That puts the Galaxy Unpacked event and pre-order window opening roughly a week or two earlier. The unveiling will take place in London this year, according to rumors.

The price of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is worth watching. With the volatile smartphone market being rocked by rising costs and component shortages, it wouldn't be shocking if Samsung had to raise foldable prices. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 started at $1,999 for the 256GB model, with 512GB and 1TB models costing even more.

That was already an increase over the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, which was released July 10, 2024, for $1,899. It was available in Pink, Navy, Silver Shadow, Crafted Black, and White colorways, with the latter two being Samsung online exclusives. Now, the phone is mostly unavailable in new condition, but refurbished and used models are enticing — they'll only run you about $500.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 6: Design and display

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 will likely keep the same general design language as the Galaxy Z Fold 7, according to leaks. Compared to the Galaxy Z Fold 6, though, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 should still be considerably thinner and lighter. The new model should measure 4.2mm thick opened and about 8.9mm closed. That's quite the jump from the Galaxy Z Fold 6, which is 12.1mm folded and 5.6mm unfolded.

The Galaxy Z Fold 6 is also heavier than the Galaxy Z Fold 8 will be, with the older foldable measuring 239 grams. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 weighed only 215 grams by comparison. Even if the Galaxy Z Fold 8 tacks on a few extra grams with a bigger battery or Qi2 magnets, it'll likely still come in lighter than the Galaxy Z Fold 6.

The newer model should also feature a larger display, with the main screen spanning eight inches. The screen will be a foldable OLED supporting 120Hz refresh rates, and it could even use a crease-less design. Compared to newer models, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 has a more visible crease.

The older foldable's main screen is only 7.6 inches in size, but it supports the same 120Hz refresh rates and uses identical OLED technology. The outer screen is narrower than the Galaxy Z Fold 8 will likely be, as Samsung has finally settled into its wider cover screen aspect ratio. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 features a 6.3-inch outer screen, while the Galaxy Z Fold 8 should come with a 6.5-inch cover screen.

The Galaxy Z Fold 6 has an IP48 rating against dust and liquid ingress. As other foldables support higher IP ratings, there's a chance the Galaxy Z Fold 8 offers bolstered IP68 certification. This is unconfirmed, though.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 6: Hardware and specs

The Galaxy Z Fold 6 is still supported with Android OS upgrades and has a capable Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy processor with 12GB of memory. However, the latest Qualcomm chips are major leaps over older Snapdragon platforms. It's reasonable to expect that the Galaxy Z Fold 8 will be faster and more capable than the Galaxy Z Fold 6, thanks to the presumed Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset.

Samsung could upgrade the Galaxy Z Fold 8's battery by increasing the capacity or adding built-in Qi2 magnets. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 has a 4,400mAh capacity, which is the same as the Galaxy Z Fold 7. It also has slower charging, supporting 25W speeds over a cable and 15W wirelessly.

The Galaxy Z Fold 6's camera system is already behind the curve. It offers a 50MP main camera, a 12MP ultrawide sensor, and a 10MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom capabilities. By comparison, the Galaxy Z Fold 7's primary camera is a 200MP sensor. Even the secondary lenses are better, with a 50MP ultrawide camera and a 12MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom.

If the Galaxy Z Fold 8 keeps everything the same, it'll still be an upgrade over the Galaxy Z Fold 6.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 6: Which should you buy?

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 is quite capable for 2026, even though its form factor might feel outdated as foldables chase thinner and lighter designs. In fact, the thicker build does make the Galaxy Z Fold 6 feel more premium, and allows its hinge to remain open at more angles without tipping over. The S Pen support is an added bonus, since the Galaxy Z Fold 8 likely will ship without it.

Meanwhile, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is expected to build upon the upgrades already introduced with the Galaxy Z Fold 7. That means you can expect great performance, a thin and light design, a superb camera system, and excellent software. It may be tough — if not impossible — to justify spending $2,000 or more on a new foldable if you already shelled out for the Galaxy Z Fold 6 two years ago. As such, it's probably best to wait and see what exactly the Galaxy Z Fold 8 brings.

Motorola's Razr line of foldables has been dominating the U.S. market for a few years, thanks to incredible specs and aggressive pricing. In 2025, Motorola introduced its most premium flip phone, the Razr Ultra, and aside from the high launch price, we couldn't find much fault with it in our review. Motorola just introduced the Razr Ultra 2026 (along with other models), and for the first time, we have very mixed feelings about this one.

It's more expensive, and not a whole lot has changed, which actually puts the spotlight back on the 2025 Razr Ultra. Now selling for a much lower price than when it launched in 2025, it's time to compare the Motorola Razr Ultra 2026 vs. Razr Ultra 2025 to see if you should grab the 2025 model right now or wait for the price drop on the 2026 model.

Motorola Razr Ultra 2026 vs. Razr Ultra 2025: Pricing and availability

If you felt the Motorola Razr Ultra 2025 was expensive, hold on to your wallet as the Razr Ultra 2026 is now $200 more, at $1,499. This is for the singular variant with 512GB of storage and 16GB of RAM. The rising cost of memory components seems to have finally caught up with Motorola, and I have a terrible feeling we'll be seeing more nasty surprises with other 2026 launches as well.

Knowing that this probably wouldn't be a hot-ticket item, Motorola is launching the Razr Ultra 2026 in just two finishes: Pantone Cocoa (wooden finish) and Orient Blue (Alcantara finish). Pre-orders for the Razr Ultra 2026 begin on May 14, and it goes on open sale from May 21. You should expect some interesting freebies like a smartwatch or earbuds when you pre-order.

It's been a year since the Motorola Razr Ultra 2025 was released, and it's now selling at nearly half price on Motorola's website. At the time of writing this, the 512GB and 1TB variants are both going for just $800. Not only that, but Motorola is also bundling Moto Buds and a Moto Tag with it to sweeten the deal.

The 2025 Motorola Razr Ultra is simply an incredible value right now and hard to pass up.

Motorola Razr Ultra 2026 vs. Razr Ultra 2025: Design and displays

The Motorola Razr Ultra 2026 has the exact same dimensions as the 2025 model, which, in a way, is good news since the cases for the older model will be compatible with the new one. The bad news is that the Razr Ultra 2026 is not as slim or light as recent flip phones like the Galaxy Z Flip 7. Motorola hasn't improved the water and dust protection either, as it's still only IP48 rated.

The displays on the Razr Ultra 2026 have gotten a slight improvement. The folding screen has an extra 500 nits of brightness, bringing the peak to up to 5,000 nits. Everything else stays the same, though, which means you get a 7-inch AMOLED with a 165Hz refresh rate and 10-bit color support. The external screen is still 4 inches with a 165Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 3,000 nits, but it now gets Gorilla Glass Ceramic 3 scratch protection.

The Motorola Razr Ultra 2025 is still one of the best foldable phones in the market. It's built extremely well with aluminum, glass, and a titanium-reinforced hinge for added durability. We've never had any issues with daily driving this phone, and it has held up well even after a year.

The same goes for the displays. Both screens on the 2025 Razr Ultra deliver excellent brightness, colors, and touch response. The outer screen, in particular, is very useful, as it lets you perform most basic tasks in most apps without unfolding it. This has always been one of the best features of Motorola's foldables.

Motorola Razr Ultra 2026 vs. Razr Ultra 2025: Performance and specs

We've not tested the 2026 Motorola Razr Ultra yet, but I can confidently say performance won't be an issue. What may come as a surprise to many is that Motorola has used the same Snapdragon 8 Elite from the 2025 model, instead of the 8 Elite Gen 5. While this might be a little disappointing to benchmark lovers, the reality is that the 8 Elite is still a highly capable chip, and Android apps and games don't really need more power to run well.

What has gotten better, though, is battery capacity. The 2026 Motorola Razr Ultra has a 5,000mAh silicon-carbon battery, instead of the usual lithium-ion tech. This has allowed Motorola to increase capacity while keeping the same size and weight as the old model. Charging speeds from the 2025 model were already pretty good at 68W wired and 30W wireless, which are carried forward here. I do wish it had native Qi2 charging, though.

Long-term software upgrades are still restricted to three OS upgrades and five years of security updates on the Razr Ultra 2026. This could have easily been higher without costing Motorola anything, at least in line with the Razr Fold, which gets seven promised updates.

The Razr Ultra 2025 uses the same Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC, and performance is nothing but excellent. Games run great, benchmark scores are top-notch (albeit slightly lower due to thermal measures in place), and we never really noticed any slowdowns during everyday use.

Despite the smaller battery capacity than the 2026 Razr Ultra, the 2025 Razr Ultra also delivered very good all-day battery life. The fast charging is really the icing on the cake here, as a full charge from almost empty takes roughly 40 minutes.

The software on the 2025 Motorola Razr Ultra was good, but nothing that would blow you away like Samsung or Google. There are plenty of useful Moto AI features packed in, like Image Studio and Playlist Studio. One of the coolest features we found was Look & Talk, which triggers Moto AI by just looking at the phone when in Tent or Stand mode.

Motorola Razr Ultra 2026 vs. Razr Ultra 2025: Cameras

The Motorola Razr Ultra 2025 has just two outer cameras: a wide and an ultrawide. These turned out to be very resourceful, and you get punchy and detailed images in daylight, as well as decent low-light performance, too. Images taken at even 2x zoom look good, but going beyond that isn't advisable since there's no dedicated telephoto camera. The phone can also record at 8K, which is impressive.

Motorola has thrown in some AI camera tricks too, like Action Shot for capturing fast-moving subjects, and Group Shot, which is its version of Google's Best Take.

The 2026 Motorola Razr Ultra gets an upgraded 50MP LOFIC main camera sensor, which is said to improve dynamic range, capture better detail, and bring even faster shutter speeds. These are all good improvements to have, and we can't wait to test them out ourselves. The rest of the sensors have stayed the same, and you can still expect good performance from them, as we didn't encounter any glaring issues with the 2025 model.

A few new software tricks have been added to the camera app. The Razr Ultra 2026 features an improved camcorder mode, which now lets you zoom in or out by rotating your wrist left or right while recording. The cool thing is that your subject stays locked with the horizon even though you rotate the camera for this. It's a little gimmicky if you ask me, but it's there if you wish to have some fun while shooting.

Motorola Razr Ultra 2026 vs. Razr Ultra 2025: Which one should you buy?

If you've read through this comparison this far, the answer should be loud and clear. I strongly recommend getting the 2025 Motorola Razr Ultra now while you still can. The $800 price tag is fantastic for what is essentially a proper flagship phone. Plus, you don't want to miss Motorola's current offers, where you're getting the 1TB variant and freebies, all for this low price. Other than slightly lower battery life and the possibility of sharper photos from the main camera, you're really not losing anything by picking this 2025 model over the 2026 model.

The 2026 Motorola Razr Ultra is simply too expensive at launch, and I can't think of any justification for anyone to spend this sort of money on it. But being the type of company that is Motorola, I have a strong feeling we'll be seeing the 2026 Razr Ultra with big discounts pretty soon. At that time, it could be worth considering, but only the 2025 model hasn't been taken out of rotation.

Flip phones are still a niche in 2026, but if there are two brands that dominate the space, they are Samsung and Motorola. You might think Samsung leads the flip market with its Galaxy Z Flip series, but recent IDC reports suggest Motorola has held more than 50% of the market.

Building on that, Motorola has now unveiled its new Razr lineup of flip-style foldable phones, aiming to improve on last year's models. There are major upgrades across the board, including design, hardware, and, unfortunately, the price. On the other hand, Samsung is also expected to unveil the Galaxy Z Flip 8 this summer, with both phones set to compete for the flip phone crown.

That said, ahead of the Galaxy Z Flip 8 launch, plenty of leaks have already revealed what to expect from Samsung's next flip-style foldable. So, here's a closer look at which phone you should consider if you're buying a flip phone in 2026.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 vs. Motorola Razr Ultra 2026: Pricing and availability

Motorola unveiled its new Razr lineup on April 29, 2026. The new lineup includes the base Razr, the mid-tier Razr Plus, and the top-end Razr Ultra. Motorola has been increasing prices across its portfolio, and unfortunately, the Razr Ultra 2026 also sees a price bump compared to last year.

The Moto Razr Ultra 2026 starts at $1,500 and comes in a single variant, though thankfully, it has 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. Motorola is offering some interesting color options this year, including Pantone Orient Blue with an Alcantara finish and Pantone Cocoa with a wood finish.

The Razr Ultra is available for pre-order starting May 14, and it will go on sale starting May 21 through stores and carrier outlets.

The Galaxy Z Flip 8 isn't here yet, but it's expected to launch around the same time as the Galaxy Z Flip 7 did, sometime this summer. Reports suggest Samsung could host an event on July 22, 2026, in London, where it may unveil the Galaxy Z Flip 8 alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and the rumored Wide Fold.

We don't know the pricing of the Galaxy Z Flip 8 just yet, but Samsung might raise the prices by $50 or $100 this year, considering the increasing memory and component costs. That said, when the Galaxy Z Flip 8 launches, it will likely still retail for less than the Moto Razr Ultra.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 vs. Motorola Razr Ultra 2026: Design and display

Motorola has always kept things fun with the Razr series design, using bold materials and colors, and this year is no different. With the Moto Razr Ultra 2026, you're getting some interesting upgrades in terms of finish and overall look.

The Razr Ultra 2026 comes in two standout color options: a darker wood finish called Pantone Cocoa and a quilted Alcantara finish called Pantone Orient Blue. Unlike most flip phones, Motorola is clearly leaning into unique materials here, which makes the phone stand out instantly.

Other than that, the overall design remains familiar. You still get a full edge-to-edge cover display with two cutouts for the cameras and flash, slim bezels, and a vertically folding screen that opens up into a 7-inch display. On the back, there's the Motorola logo with its signature dimple, along with Razr branding.

On the other hand, Samsung hasn't changed the Galaxy Z Flip design much in recent years, and the Galaxy Z Flip 8 is expected to follow suit. You can expect a similar squared-off design, slim bezels, and a large cover display.

Samsung might make it slightly thinner this year (by 0.5mm), but there aren't any major design changes expected.

What could be new this year is Qi2 support. A recent leak showing dummy units suggests circular cutouts on the back, which could indicate that Samsung is finally adding native Qi2 wireless charging to the Galaxy Z Flip series. If true, this would be one of the first Samsung phones to support it out of the box.

Coming to the display, the Razr Ultra 2026 features a large 4-inch cover display protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 3. The inner display remains a 7-inch panel, but this time, Motorola is using an Extreme AMOLED panel for better colors. It also supports a 165Hz refresh rate on both the outer and inner displays, something most phones still don't offer.

The Galaxy Z Flip 8, on the other hand, is expected to stick with a 4.1-inch cover display and a 6.9-inch inner display. There aren't any major upgrades expected, but reports suggest Samsung could improve the crease, similar to what we've seen on devices like the Oppo Find N6.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 vs. Motorola Razr Ultra 2026: Hardware and specs

Samsung has traditionally used Snapdragon chipsets in its foldables, but the company switched to Exynos with last year's Galaxy Z Flip 7, and the Galaxy Z Flip 8 is expected to continue with that. Rumors suggest it will be powered by the Exynos 2600, the same chip used in the international versions of the Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26 Plus.

The Exynos 2600 is a capable chipset, but you still miss out on some of the advantages that come with Snapdragon. As for the rest of the hardware, the Galaxy Z Flip 8 is expected to stick with 12GB of RAM and offer 256GB and 512GB storage options.

The Moto Razr Ultra, on the other hand, comes with the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. It might not be Qualcomm's absolute latest, but it's still one of the most capable chips you'll find on a phone right now. Motorola also makes up for the higher price by offering a single variant with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage.

When it comes to battery and charging, though, the Razr Ultra clearly takes the lead this year. Motorola has moved to silicon-carbon battery tech, which means you're getting a larger 5,000mAh cell, easily one of the biggest in any flip phone right now.

On top of that, the Razr Ultra supports 68W wired charging and 30W wireless charging, which is significantly faster than what Samsung is expected to offer.

The Galaxy Z Flip 8, on the other hand, is expected to stick with a 4,300mAh battery, similar to the Flip 7, with no real upgrades in capacity. Charging speeds are also likely to remain the same at 25W wired and 15W wireless.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 vs. Motorola Razr Ultra 2026: Software

Coming to the software, the Galaxy Z Flip 8 will most likely debut with Samsung's One UI 9, but will still be based on Android 16. Even though Android 17 is expected to be finalized by mid-2026, it might be a bit too early for Samsung to ship it on its foldables right away.

The Moto Razr Ultra, on the other hand, runs Android 16 out of the box with a bunch of new features. Motorola has introduced something called Daily Drop, which is quite similar to Samsung's Now Brief, offering a personalized feed of headlines, calendar updates, weather, and even Google Photos memories.

There's also a feature called Wardrobe, which turns your photo library into a sort of digital closet and uses your gallery as a personal stylist.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 vs. Motorola Razr Ultra 2026: Cameras

A flip phone needs a great camera, and Motorola has upgraded the setup on the Razr Ultra this year. It now comes with a 50MP LOFIC sensor, which is designed to improve dynamic range and color reproduction from the main camera. This is paired with a 50MP ultra-wide sensor with a 122-degree field of view.

The selfie camera on the inner display is also a 50MP sensor. On the video side, Motorola has finally added support for 8K recording at up to 30fps, along with 4K at up to 120fps.

On the other hand, if you were expecting new camera hardware on the Galaxy Z Flip 8, that doesn't seem to be the case this year. It's expected to stick with a similar 50MP primary sensor and a 12MP ultra-wide. Samsung will likely bring its Photo Assist features to the device, but in terms of hardware, don't expect major changes.

That said, it's still a bit early to call this. I'll be keeping a close eye on a proper camera comparison once the Galaxy Z Flip 8 launches later this summer.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 vs. Motorola Razr Ultra 2026: Which will be the best?

So, should you wait for the Galaxy Z Flip 8 or go ahead with the Razr Ultra 2026? I think it's still too early to call a clear winner, especially since the Galaxy Z Flip 8 isn't here yet. That said, it will likely launch at a lower price compared to the Razr Ultra, which comes in at a steep $1,500.

Sure, Motorola is offering some solid upgrades this year, better battery, faster charging, improved cameras, and more premium finishes, but $1,500 for a flip phone might still be a bit hard to justify for most people.

That said, we're still in the process of reviewing the Razr Ultra, so it's worth waiting for a full verdict before making a decision.

We don't have as much foldable phone competition in the U.S. as in markets like Asia, where there are many more options. And while it doesn't happen often, we finally have a new entrant in the book-style foldable space this year with the Motorola Razr Fold.

Motorola first showcased the Razr Fold at CES 2026, but the company has now made it available across the U.S. As a brand that's been making flip-style foldables for years, Motorola is now stepping into the book-style category, and the Razr Fold brings some real competition to Samsung and Google in this space.

It's also been about a year since the Galaxy Z Fold 7 launched, which means the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is expected this year. While it's not official yet, there are already plenty of leaks and early details that give us a rough idea of what to expect. So here's a speculative look at how Samsung's next foldable could compare to the Motorola Razr Fold and what you can expect when it finally arrives.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Motorola Razr Fold: Pricing and availability

Motorola officially launched the Razr Fold in the U.S. on April 29, 2026. The book-style foldable will be available for pre-order from Best Buy and the company's online store starting May 14, 2026, and will go on sale from May 21, 2026.

While companies like Samsung have been increasing prices, Motorola has priced the Razr Fold at $1,900. That undercuts the Galaxy Z Fold 7 by $100, which starts at $2,000. The Razr Fold comes in a single configuration with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, which means compared to a similar variant, it undercuts the Galaxy Z Fold 7 by around $300.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 isn't here yet, but it's expected to launch sometime in July this year. According to recent leaks, Samsung is planning an event in London on July 22, 2026, where it could unveil the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Galaxy Z Flip 8, and the rumored Galaxy Wide Fold.

There aren't any solid rumors around pricing yet, but if the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is anything to go by, the Fold 8 could start at around $2,000 for the base 256GB model, with the 512GB variant likely landing closer to $2,200.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Motorola Razr Fold: Design and display

The Moto Razr Fold, at first glance, doesn't feel like an entirely new direction for Motorola. It sticks to the company's familiar design language, with a clean back, the Motorola's "M" logo in the center, a Razr logo at the bottom, and a squarish camera module housing the triple camera setup.

In typical Motorola fashion, the Razr Fold comes in PANTONE colors like PANTONE Blackened Blue and PANTONE Lily White. It also has slightly rounded corners, which somewhat resemble the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, though not as much, along with polished aluminum rails that complement the back panel.

On the other hand, Samsung made some big changes to the Galaxy Z Fold lineup with the Galaxy Z Fold 7, making it wider and noticeably slimmer than before. It looks like Samsung will continue with a similar approach for the Galaxy Z Fold 8.

Recently leaked CAD renders (via Android Headlines) suggest that Samsung will stick with a familiar design, meaning a vertically stacked triple camera setup, a clean back, sharper corners, and flat edges.

In terms of dimensions as well, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is expected to be very close to its predecessor, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. According to leaks, it might even be slightly thicker than the Galaxy Z Fold 7, possibly for a good reason (hint: a larger battery).

Even then, it'll likely still be slimmer than the Razr Fold. The Razr Fold is expected to be both thicker and heavier in comparison. It measures around 5.7 x 6.3 x 0.4 inches when folded, while the Galaxy Z Fold 8 could stay close to the Z Fold 7's dimensions of 6.24 x 2.87 x 0.35 inches

When it comes to weight, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 will also likely be lighter than the Razr Fold, which comes in at around 244g.

Coming to the displays, this is where Motorola seems to have put a lot of focus. The Razr Fold ships with a large 6.6-inch P-OLED cover display, which is a 10-bit panel protected by Gorilla Glass Ceramic 3.

The company claims it can hit up to 6,000 nits of peak brightness and is Pantone validated for color accuracy. It also supports Dolby Vision, but what really stands out is the 165Hz refresh rate on the cover display, something you don't usually see on foldable phones.

On the inside, the Razr Fold offers what is currently the largest internal display on a foldable phone in the U.S., an 8.1-inch 2K panel. It goes up to 6,200 nits of peak brightness and supports a 120Hz refresh rate.

There haven't been any solid leaks around the Galaxy Z Fold 8's display yet, but Samsung will likely stick to a similar approach as before. The main upgrade this time could be a less visible crease. We've already seen "zero-feel" crease implementations on devices like the Oppo Find N6, and it looks like Samsung might finally bring something similar to its foldables this year.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Motorola Razr Fold: Hardware and specs

At this price point, you usually expect top-tier hardware and specs, and that's exactly what you get with the Motorola Razr Fold. It ships with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset (not the top-end Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5), but from what we've seen, it's still a very capable chip.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8, however, will likely have the edge here. It's expected to come with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, the same chip used in the Galaxy S26 Ultra, which sits a tier above the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 on the Razr Fold. That said, the Razr Fold brings some seriously strong hardware in other areas that Samsung might not match.

For starters, the Moto Razr Fold comes with a standard configuration of 512GB storage and 16GB RAM, whereas the Galaxy Z Fold 8 will likely start at 256GB and charge extra if you want the same 512GB setup.

The Razr Fold also packs a massive 6,000mAh battery, which is the largest we've seen on a foldable in the U.S. market. On top of that, it supports 80W wired charging and 50W wireless charging, something most foldables still don't come close to.

Another hardware advantage for Motorola is the stylus support. The Razr Fold supports the Moto Pen Ultra, which you can use for note-taking or doodling on the large inner display. It's sold separately for around $100, but the phone supports it natively. The Galaxy Z Fold 8, on the other hand, will likely continue without S Pen support.

Samsung is rumored to bump the battery on the Galaxy Z Fold 8 up to 5,000mAh, which would be a big jump compared to previous generations. It's also expected to support up to 45W wired charging this year. But even with those upgrades, it still won't match what the Razr Fold is offering on paper.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Motorola Razr Fold: Cameras

Coming to the camera setup, the Moto Razr Fold features a triple camera system on the back. It includes a 50MP primary sensor, a 50MP ultra-wide with a 122-degree field of view, and a 50MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, which Motorola says can go up to 100x super zoom.

On the front, the cover display houses a 32MP selfie camera, while the inner display uses a 20MP sensor. In terms of video, the Razr Fold supports up to 8K at 30fps and 4K at up to 60fps.

For the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Samsung had already upgraded the main sensor to 200MP on the Galaxy Z Fold 7, and it looks like the focus this year might be on the other sensors. According to leaks, the ultra-wide could move from 12MP to 15MP, while the telephoto may go from 10MP to 12MP, while still retaining 3x optical zoom.

That said, we'll do a proper camera comparison once the Galaxy Z Fold 8 launches, so stay tuned for that.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Motorola Razr Fold: Which will be the best?

The Moto Razr Fold might be Motorola's first move into the book-style foldable market, but the company has been making foldables for over seven years now, and the Razr Fold looks like a strong entry.

It brings a large display, a big battery with some of the fastest wired charging we've seen on a foldable (even compared to many flagship phones), along with a capable triple camera setup and stylus support, making it a pretty compelling option.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 isn't official yet, and while it looks like Samsung might stick to incremental upgrades this time, it could still end up being a solid foldable overall. We'll have to wait for the official launch to see how it really shapes up.

With the Galaxy S26 series launched and out of the way, it's time to turn our attention to Samsung's even more premium foldable launch. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 is expected to arrive in July with a larger battery, faster charging, and maybe even S Pen support, but no other significant changes that we're aware of at the moment. We might actually get to see a second 'Wide' edition launch alongside the regular Z Fold 8. With prices expected to be the same (if not more), the Galaxy Z Fold 7 might just be a much better "value" buy.

It'll soon be a year in July for the Galaxy Z Fold 7's existence and it's already officially selling for $400 lower than the launch price, and this is outside sale season. This could dip further as July rolls around. Since we don't have the official specs of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 right now, let's hypothetically compare Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 7 based on all the rumors so far.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 7: Pricing and availability

I sincerely hope Samsung doesn't bump up the price of Galaxy Z Fold 8 again as it already got a price bump last year. As there's no evidence to suggest this might happen, let's assume that it starts at the same $1,999.99. This would be for the 256GB variant, with the price going up to $2,500 for the 1TB variant. With the Z Fold 7, only the 1TB variant got 16GB RAM while the tiers below came with 12GB. I do hope Samsung offers 16GB across all storage tiers this year.

As for availability, the Galaxy Unpacked event is expected to happen in London on July 22, instead of New York like last year. This would mean pre-orders would begin by mid-July and open sale post the launch date. All of this is very speculative though so it's best to wait for official confirmation from Samsung. We'll probably also get some new colors for the Z Fold 8 which could be worth looking forward to.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 will be a year old soon and is already retailing for less, starting at $1,599.99 for 256GB and going up to $2,100 for the 1TB variant. There could be a further price drop before it goes out of circulation so you should keep an eye on this if you want to save a good chunk of change. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 had one of the best colors of all the Fold phones yet and has proven to be hugely popular showing strong demand in the U.S. market.

The recent rise in component costs have caught up though as Samsung quietly bumped up the MSRPs of the higher storage variants by $80. If this has affected Samsung's current supply of the Z Fold 7, I wonder how it will price the upcoming Z Fold 8. Either way, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 should eventually be cheaper to purchase compared to the Z Fold 8, but maybe not by as much as we'd like it to be.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 7: Design and display

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 is not expected to look much different than the Galaxy Z Fold 7, and that's fine. The Fold 7 got a major design overhaul just last year making the slimmest Fold yet. The Z Fold 8 should follow suit with similar dimensions of 4.2mm thickness when unfolded and about 8.9mm when folded. The weight could increase a bit from the 215 grams of the Z Fold 7, if Samsung decides to use a larger battery. Overall, there shouldn't be much of a difference though. Renders of a 'Wide' Galaxy Z Fold is also out there with just two rear cameras and a wider (but shorter) book-style aspect ratio, but there isn't much proof of this yet.

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 scored well in terms of build quality and durabililty but there are a few things that we would like improved on the Galaxy Z Fold 8. For starters, Samsung's foldables still only have an IP48 rating while others have zoomed past the Fold 7. The Honor Magic V5 and Vivo X Fold 5 feature IP58 and IP59 dust and water resistance, while the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold has an IP68 rating. I really hope Samsung bolsters the dust protection on the Z Fold 8 in order to stay competitive.

Another bit of disappointment for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 comes in the display department. It's expected to use the same M13 screen material which Samsung has used in the past few generations. The problem here is that since it's not a true 10-bit panel, Samsung uses a method called dithering or Frame Rate Control (FRC) to trick your eyes into seeing colors that don't actually exist. For most users, this should look just fine but if you fall in the group that's sensitive to flicker, looking at such a screen for prolonged periods of time can cause headaches.

The folding screen should still be 8 inches and we could get a bump in peak brightness on the Galaxy Z Fold 8. We never faced an issue with the Galaxy Z Fold 7's screen as the touch response and brightness were more than adequate. There are murmurs that support for the S Pen will be brought back in the Z Fold 8, along with a new creaseless folding screen tech which debuted at CES. If this happens, it would be a solid rival to the Oppo Find N6's creaseless display.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 7: Hardware and software

Samsung has usually shipped the Galaxy Z Fold devices with flagship chipsets, and I expect the same for the Galaxy Z Fold 8. It should have the tweaked Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset for Galaxy devices, same as the ones used in the Galaxy S26 series. I hope we do get 16GB of RAM though this time across all storage tiers.

Another big upgrade that's honestly been long overdue is a larger battery in the Galaxy Z Fold 8. We could finally see a larger 5,000mAh capacity which should deliver a good battery life boost over the 4,400mAh in the Galaxy Z Fold 7. Charging speed is also expected to increase to 45W from the measly 25W charging speed. I would hope to see 60W wired charging like the Galaxy S26 Ultra but I'll take anything above 25W at this point. I'm not expecting native Qi2 charging but you it should be possible with a case.

With Android 17 expected to launch mid-year this year, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 could release with the next generation of One UI 9. Early development testing of One UI 9 is reportedly already underway so it's possible it could debut with the Z Fold 8. Along with new UI changes thanks to Android 17, you should also expect new Galaxy AI features to headline this launch. Many of these features should also make their way to the Galaxy Z Fold 7 too with future updates.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 7: Cameras

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 got a 200MP main camera upgrade just last year, and the Galaxy Z Fold 8 could use the same one. But it is expected to finally get better ultra-wide and telephoto cameras. A leak suggests that Samsung will ship the Galaxy Z Fold 8 with a 50MP ultra-wide camera (up from 12MP) and a 12MP telephoto (up from 10MP). The optical zoom for the latter sensor is still expected to be 3X.

We don't have any news about the selfie cameras on the outer and folding displays but I suspect they'd be unchanged. We loved the cameras on the Galaxy Z Fold 7 when we tested it so having better sensors in the Galaxy Z Fold 8 should make it more competitive against foldables like the OPPO Find N6.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 7: Should you wait?

We're still a few months away from the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 and from the looks of it, it's not going to be drastically different than the Galaxy Z Fold 7. Some of the upgrades that could make a practical difference would be the larger battery, faster charging, return of S Pen support, and hopefully a better IP rating. But again, we don't know how many of these upgrades will actually pan out. If you're not in a hurry or are still on an older Fold phone, it's definitely worth waiting as it's certainly going to end up being one of the best Samsung phones.

If you need to pull the trigger right away, you can't go wrong with the Galaxy Z Fold 7. It now retails for lower than what it launched for, it's incredibly slim and light, and you won't have any issues with performance. Keep in mind that we didn't find the battery life to be great and there's no S Pen support if that's something you think you'll need.

Traditional cable is hanging by a thread, so to speak, and if you're planning to join the millions of users who have ditched their old channels in favor of a live TV streaming service, you have many options to choose from in 2026.

YouTube TV and Hulu + Live are two of the most popular streaming services around, but how are they different? What channels does each app offer, and how can you get the best bang for the buck? No matter what you're hoping to watch, I've broken down everything you need to know about YouTube TV and Hulu + Live in this guide.

YouTube TV vs. Hulu + Live: At a glance

YouTube TV vs. Hulu + Live: Channels

Winner: YouTube TV

If you're coming from traditional cable, you'll be pleased to learn that both YouTube TV and Hulu + Live give you access to nearly all of the same channels. Both services come with local standards like NBC, ABC, CBS, and FOX, plus the base plans will give you live content from Comedy Central, CNN, HGTV, and dozens of others.

There are some glaring omissions on these channel lists, however. Hulu + Live doesn't have AMC or BBC America, for example, while YouTube TV is missing A&E and the History Channel. Some of the missing channels may come as a surprise, so it's worth checking each app's respective channel lists to make sure the one you choose has your favorites. Considering the full lists, I'd argue that YouTube TV has the more comprehensive list of "top channels", so they get the win here.

• See the full list of channels on YouTube TV
• See the full list of channels on Hulu + Live TV

YouTube TV vs. Hulu + Live: Features

Winner: Hulu + Live

This is where things get more complicated. YouTube TV is an absolute triumph for sports fans, as the app offers exclusive access to NFL Sunday Ticket. For $20 per month, this add-on gives you access to all out-of-market regular season Sunday NFL games that aren't usually broadcast in your area. You can also pay for add-ons like Fox Soccer Plus, NFL RedZone and Tennis Channel. YouTube TV also offers a separate Sports Plan ($64.99/mo) that has fewer channels than Basic but more options for sports fans.

The problem is that all of those popular YouTube TV features will increase the price of your monthly subscription. Hulu + Live, on the other hand, includes Hulu (with ads), Disney Plus (with ads), and ESPN Plus (with ads) streaming at no additional cost. That means that you're getting thousands of hours of additional on-demand and original content automatically upon sign-up. On-demand content from YouTube is limited to select titles from your usual cable networks (similar to the offerings included with traditional cable).

Both Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV give you unlimited Cloud DVR storage with the base plans, plus you have the ability to fast-forward through ads on all recorded content.

YouTube TV vs. Hulu + Live: Verdict

Both YouTube TV and Hulu + Live offer the best that live TV streaming has to offer in 2026, so there's really no objective "best choice" here. The right pick for you is going to depend on your needs as a user.

If you're ditching cable for the first time, YouTube TV offers a seamless transition and a super-intuitive interface for beginners and streaming veterans alike. Add-ons like NFL Sunday Ticket and RedZone also make YouTube's app the preferable choice for sports fans.

Hulu + Live, on the other hand, has a clunkier interface that newcomers may struggle with, and you'll want to check the streaming service's channel list to make sure it has everything you want. If you're already experienced with streaming services, however, the included subscriptions to Hulu, Disney Plus, and ESPN Plus offer a lot of bang for the buck.

When it comes down to it, all you need to do is think about the stuff you watch and choose the service that offers it. Both streaming services are great and cost about the same, so you really can't go wrong either way.

Are these options too pricey for you? Sling TV is a great alternative, and we've broken down all of the pros and cons in our Sling TV vs. YouTube TV guide.

So, you're looking for a new Android phone but you don't want to spend an arm and a leg. But you want premium features like AI, a durable build, large screen, and impressive specs. Sound impossible? It isn't. There are plenty of Android phones that fall into the "affordable premium" category and sell for under $500. Yes, seriously! Of course, there are some concessions when it comes to things like processing power, but they are still pretty darned impressive.

The Moto G Stylus 2026 vs. Google Pixel 10a is a head-to-head worth considering since they both fall into this aforementioned category, and both offer tremendous value. They are both pretty new, too, the Moto G Stylus 2026 launching in April 2026 and the Google Pixel 10a a month earlier. How can you possibly choose? Let me help.

Moto G Stylus 2026 vs. Google Pixel 10a: Design and basics

First, let's drill it down to the looks. The Moto G Stylus 2026 comes with a leather-inspired finish like other models from the brand, which affords good grip, an important feature if you don't plan to use a protective case (though I'd recommend getting one for any phone). Available in Pantone Coal Smoke or Pantone Lavendar Mist, it has a large 6.7-inch Extreme AMOLED 1.5K Super HD resolution screen.

Peak brightness is insane at up to 5,000 nits, and up to 1,400 nits outdoors thanks to High Brightness Mode. There's also Color Boost that adjusts the color and contrast based on ambient lighting. You get a respectable 120Hz refresh rate along with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 on the screen. One standout feature is Water Touch technology that ensures it will respond even when your hands are wet.

The phone is ultra-durable, meeting both IP68 and IP69 ratings, and SGS military grade certification. The 5,200mAh battery can run for up to 44 hours per charge and supports 68W TurboPower fast charging and 15W wireless charging. It comes with 128GB or 256GB storage. But most notable is that unlike most phones nowadays, it has a microSD slot for adding more memory, expandable up to 1TB.

The Moto G Stylus 2026, as the name implies, also comes with an integrated stylus that can be used for notes, gaming, sketching, and more. But it's an enhanced one that goes far beyond the usual passive pens Motorola includes with its stylus devices. It has been improved to respond to tilt and pressure in supported apps, offering broader shading, finer lines, and more natural strokes.

Use it for a variety of tasks in the Notes app, like Sketch to Image that turns your rough sketches into polished ones, and Handwriting Calculator that solves handwritten equations right in the app. The pen lasts for up to 100 hours in standby, four hours for writing, and recharges in just 15 minutes.

In comparison, the Google Pixel 10a comes in Lavender, Berry, Fog, and Obsidian with a composite matte back and satin aluminum frame. It has a smaller 6.3-inch Actua pOLED display reinforced with Corning Gorilla Glass 7i. With an adaptive 60-120Hz refresh rate, peak brightness is pretty good at up to 3,000 nits. Brady Snyder says in his review that the refreshed, recessed camera bump that sits flush into the back panel is a nice cosmetic change that allows the phone to sit flat on a surface.

While the Google Pixel 10a isn't as durable, it does have an IP68 rating. Its battery is a smidge larger at 5,100mAh and can last for 30 hours per charge. Super Battery Saver mode will get you up to 120 hours. Snyder says battery life is "downright impressive…lasting you all day and then some."

It supports 45W charging that can get you up to 50% in 30 minutes, though you need to buy the adapter separately. It also has Qi wireless charging at 10W, which is almost not worth using unless it's a charging mount at your desk all day. It's too bad Google didn't integrate Qi2 through Pixelsnap in this model as it did with other Pixel 10 series phones.

The Google Pixel 10a also comes with 128GB or 256GB storage, but there's no memory card slot to expand this, so you'll have to rely on cloud storage. One stand-out feature is satellite connectivity that allows you to contact emergencies services if needed, even without Wi-Fi or a cellular connection. While this feature is customary in the latest Google Pixel series phones, the Pixel 10a is the first A series model to get it.

One major thing to consider is that the Moto G Stylus 2026 only comes with two major Android OS updates, which would take you to Android 18, and three years of security updates. The Google Pixel 10a boasts seven of each, making it a phone you can hang onto for much longer.

Moto G Stylus 2026 vs. Google Pixel 10a: Specs

See how these two phones compare at-a-glance with this handy spec table.

Moto G Stylus 2026 vs. Google Pixel 10a: Productivity and usability

In terms of productivity, both are impressive phones for the price. The Moto G Stylus 2026 comes loaded with Android 16 along with Motorola's Hello UX for customizing colors, fonts, entertainment settings, and even gestures to your liking. It also includes access to the Gemini assistant.

Powered by a Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor, it has 8GB RAM and up to 16GB virtual memory that you can boost to 24GB with RAM Boost. Although, we've noticed in some other Motorola phones that using this feature can slow things down and it's not worth it.

Along with a decent AI experience through Moto AI, you can leverage the stylus for a lot of actions. For example, there's Quick Clip for highlighting and saving text directly to Notes by tapping the button on the pen. Press and hold it over an image in a supported app and you can drop and drop it into Notes. Hover the stylus over the screen to preview text up close, basically using it like a magnifier. A long press of the pen activates Circle to Search for looking up items in images, on webpages, and more. It's clear the stylus is a big part of the experience of this phone.

Additionally, you get features like Smart Connect to easily share files with other devices and mirror content and the Moto Secure app powered by ThinkShield for security and privacy.

As expected, you'll get an amped up AI experience with the Google Pixel 10a. Also loaded with Android 16, though as mentioned, supported for much longer, the Google Pixel 10a is powered by the Tensor G4 chip and has 8GB RAM. Snyder feels this isn't enough, especially to run all the on-device AI features. "If you even remotely care about private, on-device AI processing," he adds, "you shouldn't get the Pixel 10a." It's a shame Google didn't equip it with the Tensor G5 chip.

You get deep integration with Google Gemini to access all sorts of features, like writing assistance, Circle to Search, Live Translate, and more. There are also features like Google Cast, a Titan M2 security coprocessor, VPN by Google, and anti-malware and anti-phishing software built-in.

Moto G Stylus 2026 vs. Google Pixel 10a: Cameras and AI photo features

You want to be able to take great photos, right? The Moto G Stylus 2026 has a 50MP Ultra Pixel main camera with Sony LYTIA 700C sensor and optical image stabilization (OIS). It also sports a 13MP ultra-wide and macro vision camera with a 3-in-1 light sensor to optimize exposure and color. The 32MP selfie front camera has a feature that will auto-switch to group mode if more people come into the frame, presumably similar to Apple's Center Stage camera in the iPhone 17 series devices.

Powered by a Photo Enhancement Engine with AI, it can fine-tune colors, brightness, and texture in your photos. There are also several photo features that leverage AI. Signature Style applies AI adjustments to scenes that include items like food or landscapes as well as portraits. Super Zoom affords clear and detailed shots from far away by using hybrid zoom technology.

Additionally, there's Action Shot that helps reduce blur by adjusting the shutter speed when subjects are moving. Portrait Mode, meanwhile, captures subjects at 24mm, 35mm, and 50mm focal lengths. It can also record videos in up to 4K resolution.

The Google Pixel 10a has a 48MP wide main camera, 13MP ultra-wide with 8x zoom, and 13MP front camera. It's mostly unchanged from the previous generation Google Pixel 9a, but Snyder says you get decent photos that look lifelike, and you can take "excellent shots" with the wide-angle lens and ultra-wide cameras.

It has all your favorite Google AI photo capture and editing tools like Camera Coach that guides you along with framing the perfect shot, Add Me for adding the photographer into a photo, Macro Focus, Night Sight, Astrophotography, Portrait Mode, Face Unblur, and more.

Enjoy other photo editing features as well, like Magic Eraser for removing distracting objects from an image. Best Take combines images of the same thing for creating one with all the best facial expressions, and this phone has Auto Best Take, which does the legwork for you, which is nice. There's also Photo Unblur, and more.

Moto G Stylus 2026 vs. Google Pixel 10a: Which should you buy?

Specs-wise, both these phones offer a lot of value for a low price. You won't go wrong with either. But when it comes down to the nitty-gritty of the Moto G Stylus 2026 vs. Google Pixel 10a, it may come down to longevity. You'll get a lot more bang for your buck from the Google Pixel 10a, the best budget phone you can buy today. It's supported by seven OS updates and seven years of security updates. Even if you don't hold onto it for that long, you can hand it down to someone or get good resale or trade-in value.

However, Snyder does admit that the Google Pixel 10a is like a recycled version of the Google Pixel 9a with some meaningful but minor upgrades. Comparing the Google Pixel 10a vs. Google Pixel 9a, you'll find it's not a huge jump. But since it sells at the same price, it's the better of those two to get right now.

The Moto G Stylus 2026 is the one to choose, however, if you like the stylus experience. You could theoretically use a third-party capacitive stylus with the Google Pixel 10a, but you won't get as seamless an experience, nor the same level of responsiveness. Plus, there's nowhere to store it. Thus, the Moto G Stylus 2026 might be a better option for creative types, students, and those who have trouble manipulating a screen with their fingers.

There are some additional advantages with the Moto G Stylus 2026, like the slightly larger battery and faster charging, the higher-res front camera with group mode, durability, Water Touch technology, and the better processor. It's a bit thinner and much larger with a bigger screen.

It may come down to these few differences, but I can't help but wish that Motorola would support its phones for longer. If the Moto G Stylus 2026 had more long-term backing, even up to five years, it might be the better overall choice. But for the most value from your $500, most people will be better off with the Google Pixel 10a.

Now that the Galaxy S26 series has landed, it's time to look at Samsung's next major launch for foldables, such as the Galaxy Z Flip 8. The flip phone, which we're likely to see this summer, will compete with the likes of Motorola in the U.S. and in much of the world, but what can we expect from the device?

More importantly, will the Galaxy Z Flip 8 give Galaxy Z Flip 6 owners enough reasons to upgrade? The Galaxy Z Flip 6 will be two years old at this point, which can feel like an eternity in smartphone terms, as technology moves fast. Generative AI wasn't nearly as ubiquitous back then as it is now, and the Galaxy Z Flip 6 may miss out on the latest and greatest.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 vs. Galaxy Z Flip 6: Price and availability

The Galaxy Z Flip 8 is expected to launch later this year, likely in the summer. Rumors point to a release on July 22, which aligns with expectations. That means a launch will likely occur in early July, likely two weeks ahead. As for pricing, it's unclear whether Samsung will retain the price of the Galaxy Z Flip 7, which started at $ 1,099, but given the ongoing RAM crisis, it's possible Samsung could raise the price by $50 or $100. Otherwise, Samsung may have to risk minimizing internal upgrades to keep prices down.

As for the Galaxy Z Flip 6, it was launched on July 10, 2024, and released roughly two weeks later. At launch, it was priced $100 above its predecessor, costing $1,099. However, the phone is currently discontinued, although you may be able to find refurbished versions for less.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 vs. Galaxy Z Flip 6: Design & hardware

Samsung's design language hasn't deviated too much, so the Galaxy Z Flip 8 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 may look very similar. According to leaked renders, Samsung may not change much when compared to the Galaxy Z Flip 7, so the phone may be pretty identical to its predecessor. That means a relatively square body, a thin chassis, and a large cover screen.

The Galaxy Z Flip 7 is actually one of the thinnest flip phones on the market, but the Z Flip 8 may be .1mm thicker, which isn't a horrible thing, especially if it means we might get a larger battery. Rumors suggest Samsung may not improve the battery, but nothing's official until we hear it from Samsung, so fingers crossed!

The Galaxy Z Flip 6 is quite a bit thicker than the Z Flip 8 at 6.9mm, but it's not terrible, especially when compared to the Motorola Razr 2025 series. It has an equally boxy design, although the cover screen is smaller at 3.4 inches, compared to 4.1 inches we expect on the Z Flip 8. The Z FLip 8 will also likely have a wider aspect ratio, which some people may prefer over the tall aspect ratio many flip phones have adopted, including the Z Flip 6.

The Z Flip 8 will likely be powered by the Exynos 2600, the same chip powering international versions of the Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus. It's a very capable chipset, and should provide a welcome boost in performance over the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 powering the Galaxy Z Flip 6.

Samsung will likely retain the 12GB of RAM found in the Galaxy Z Flip 6, as increasing it would probably drive the price way up.

The Z Flip 8 may also have a 4,300mAh battery, which is 300mAh more than the Z Flip 6. That said, we don't know if the more efficient 2nm Exynos chip will offset its power demands, so we can't say whether battery life will be comparable, but it'll likely get you through a full day.

Qi2 support is expected, although we don't expect Samsung to include built-in magnets.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 vs. Galaxy Z Flip 6: Specs

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 vs. Galaxy Z Flip 6: Software and AI

The Galaxy Z Flip 8 is likely to be powered by Samsung's One UI 8.5 based on Android 16. That said, depending on the timing, the phone could also run One UI 9 based on Android 17. Google is expected to launch Android 17 sometime before July, so it's kind of up in the air, but we know Samsung is testing the software on its devices.

As for what to expect with Android 17, we've seen early builds with the new Tap to Share feature in Quick Share, which will let users tap phones to swap content, contact information, and more. There are also other changes, such as large controls in the Quick Settings panel and more accessibility features. However, it's still early, so there may be even more to come.

Otherwise, we expect many of the same Galaxy AI features we see today, including Gemini screen automation.

The Galaxy Z Flip 6 was launched with One UI 6.1.1 based on Android 14, but has since been updated to Android 15 and Android 16. The phone will receive updates for a total of seven years, so we expect Android 17 to arrive at some point. That said, it's likely not all features will come to the device, especially more complex AI features like screen automation.

That said, the chipset is still pretty capable, so the Galaxy Z Flip 6 will likely receive a good amount of Android 17 features.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 vs. Galaxy Z Flip 6: Cameras

The Galaxy Z Flip 6 sports two rear cameras and a single selfie camera. In fact, its 50MP+12MP rear camera setup was adopted by the Galaxy Z Flip 7, and we don't expect there to be any changes on that front with the Galaxy Z Flip 8. Samsung may improve the image quality in certain ways, given the newer ISP, but we don't expect any significant upgrades in this area.

That said, we can expect some fun AI features to help users make the most out of their images. Photo Assist is one such feature that uses natural language to edit photos on-device.

The Galaxy Z Flip 6 may receive new photo-editing features, but its on-device AI processing capabilities are pretty limited, so there may be a connection required to make things happen, or editing may be much slower.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 vs. Galaxy Z Flip 6: Which should you buy?

The Galaxy Z Flip 7 was already a pretty worthy upgrade over the Galaxy Z Flip 6, so if you're holding onto the nearly two-year-old phone, the Galaxy Z Flip 8 will likely be a good upgrade. It'll come with a much faster chipset, a larger cover screen, a thinner chassis, and more AI capabilities. It also means you'll be eligible for later versions of Android once support ends for the Galaxy Z Flip 6.

Meanwhile, if you don't have the Galaxy Z Flip 6 and you're trying to choose between this and the Galaxy Z Flip 8, you should know that the Galaxy Z Flip 6 is currently discontinued at Samsung, so your only bet will be to buy it refurbished or from a carrier if you can find one still carrying the device. In which case, you may be better off with the newer Galaxy Z Flip 8 when it launches, or you can try your luck with the Galaxy Z Flip 7, which will likely end up being cheaper.

It might feel like it just happened, but believe it or not, we're already likely just a few months away from Samsung's next foldable launch. The company is expected to unveil its new foldable phones this summer, including the Galaxy Z Fold 8. And while there's still some time to go, leaks have already started giving us a rough idea of what to expect.

Apple is also rumored to be entering the foldable space this year, but if you're in the U.S. and looking to buy an Android book-style foldable, your main choices will likely come down to Samsung and Google: the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold.

Even though the Galaxy Z Fold 8 isn't official yet, we already have enough leaks and early details to paint a picture of how it might stack up. So here's a speculative look at how Samsung's next foldable could compare to the Pixel 10 Pro Fold and what you can expect when it finally launches.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Pricing and availability

Samsung usually introduces its new foldable smartphones in the summer, and this year, as well, the company is rumored to launch the Galaxy Z Fold 8 in July. According to a recent leak, Samsung is planning an event in London on July 22, 2026, where it could unveil the Galaxy Z Fold 8, the Galaxy Z Flip 8, and a new Galaxy Wide Fold.

Samsung typically hosts its Unpacked events in South Korea or the U.S., but this time it looks like London might be the venue. As for pricing, there aren't any solid rumors yet, but if the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is anything to go by, the Fold 8 could start at around $1,999 for the base 256GB model.

That said, it wouldn't be surprising to see a price increase this year. Samsung has already raised prices on some of its recent devices, and with rising component and memory costs, foldables could get even more expensive.

On the other hand, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold was announced alongside the Pixel 10 series on August 20, 2025, and later released on October 9, 2025. It starts at $1,799 for the 256GB model and is also available in 512GB and 1TB variants at higher prices.

In terms of colors, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is available in Moonstone and Jade. And if pricing is a key factor, Google has been running promotions that bring the effective price down to around $1,499, making it an even more compelling option compared to Samsung's upcoming foldable, at least for now.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Design and display

Samsung made some big changes to the Galaxy Z Fold design with the Galaxy Z Fold 7, but it looks like the company will keep minimal upgrades for the Galaxy Z Fold 8. A report from Android Headlines, in collaboration with OnLeaks, gave us an early look at the device back in March 2026 through CAD-based renders.

It seems Samsung will stick with a familiar design this year. You'll likely get a triple-camera setup on the back, arranged vertically in a pill-shaped module, along with a clean back and squared edges. On the front, the cover display is expected to be slightly wider, while the inner display could retain a more square aspect ratio when unfolded, similar to the Galaxy Z Fold 7.

Even in terms of dimensions, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is expected to be very close to its predecessor. In fact, some reports suggest it could be slightly thicker than the Fold 7, though there may be a good reason for that, which we'll get to in a bit.

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold, on the other hand, sticks to the same design language as the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. You get a large camera module on the back, a clean glass finish with the 'G' logo, curved edges on one side, a wider cover display, and a slightly wider-than-tall inner display when unfolded.

While we don't have exact dimensions for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 yet, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold will likely remain thicker and heavier. For context, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 came in at around 8.9mm when folded, while the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is about 10.8mm thick and weighs around 258g, so that gives you a rough idea of how they compare.

One area where the Pixel 10 Pro Fold could continue to lead is durability. It offers IP68 dust and water resistance, which is rare for foldables and closer to what we see on traditional smartphones. Samsung, on the other hand, will likely stick with IP48 on the Galaxy Z Fold 8, which still falls behind in this area.

According to leaks, Samsung is expected to keep the same 8-inch inner display and 6.5-inch cover display. The big upgrade this year could be a much less visible crease. We've already seen solutions like the 'zero-feel crease' on devices like the Oppo Find N6, and it looks like Samsung may finally be catching up here, which would be a big win for usability.

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold features a slightly smaller 6.4-inch cover display, but the inner display is also around 8 inches. Both displays can reach up to 3,000 nits of peak brightness, which is not something all foldables currently offer.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Hardware and specs

Samsung traditionally ships the Galaxy Z Fold devices with top-tier chipsets, and I expect the same with the Galaxy Z Fold 8. You can expect it to be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, likely the same "for-Galaxy" variant as the Galaxy S26 Ultra.

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold, on the other hand, is powered by the Tensor G5, the same chip used across the Pixel 10 lineup. It's Google's first TSMC-made 3nm chipset, and while it's a big step up over the Tensor G4 in terms of performance and efficiency, it'll likely still fall behind the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 in raw power.

The good news, though, is that Samsung is reportedly planning to bump the battery capacity of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 to 5,000mAh this year. That would be the biggest jump the Fold series has seen since the Galaxy Z Fold 3 back in 2021.

On top of that, Samsung is also expected to increase charging speeds to 45W, which should help bring down overall charging times.

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold already comes with a 5,000mAh+ battery, so it's still too early to say which one will offer better battery life. But one area where the Pixel clearly has an advantage is charging convenience. It supports PixelSnap, Google's take on Qi2, with built-in magnets, meaning you can use MagSafe accessories without needing a case.

This is something Samsung skipped on the Galaxy S26 Ultra as well, and I don't really see the company changing that approach with the Galaxy Z Fold 8 either. Technically, Qi2 support is included on the S26 Ultra DNA Z Fold 7, but a case is necessary for magnetic charging, which will likely be the case for the Z Fold 8.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Cameras

Samsung upgraded the main camera sensor on the Galaxy Z Fold 7 to 200MP, and this time, with the Galaxy Z Fold 8, it looks like it's focusing on the other two sensors. Leaks suggest Samsung will ship the Galaxy Z Fold 8 with a newer ultra-wide camera, jumping from 12MP to 15MP. Reports also point to a telephoto upgrade from 10MP to 12MP, while keeping the same 3x optical zoom for sharper zoom shots.

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold, on the other hand, comes with a 48MP primary sensor, a 10.5MP ultra-wide, and a 10.8MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom. It's still too early to say which one will perform better, but considering Samsung has been refreshing its camera setup over the past couple of generations, I do expect the Galaxy Z Fold 8 to have an edge here.

That said, we'll be doing a proper camera comparison once the Galaxy Z Fold 8 launches, so keep an eye out for that.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Which will be the best?

Currently, with the upgrades in tow, especially things like a less visible crease and a better chipset, Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 looks poised to offer a better overall experience than the Pixel 10 Pro Fold.

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold is by no means a bad phone, and, given its improved durability, faster Android updates, and nearly 25% lower price, it's still a very solid option. We'll have to wait until the Galaxy Z Fold 8 officially launches to know for sure.

The Samsung Galaxy A57 didn't have really big shoes to fill, considering how the Galaxy A56 was quite a disappointing release. Android Central's Senior Editor for Mobile, Harish, had some choice words for it, and he wasn't wrong. Thankfully, with time, the price of the Galaxy A56 has come down, and it can usually be found on sale closer to $400. But does this mean it's a better value pick than the new Galaxy A57?

With the new model, Samsung hasn't messed about with the specs a whole lot, but there are a few key areas where it already has a leg-up over the A56, like the SoC, weight, waterproofing, and new Galaxy AI features. The latter part alone makes the Galaxy A57 worth a second look as it now packs more premium AI features that were previously restricted to the Galaxy S models.

If you're out shopping for a new mid-range phone in 2026, let's find out which is the best cheap phone you should be putting your money on.

Samsung Galaxy A57 vs. Galaxy A56: Pricing, colors, and availability

The Samsung Galaxy A57 goes on sale in the U.S. starting April 9, with a starting price of $549.99. This will be for the unlocked version in the singular Awesome Navy shade. The base model comes with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, but you can opt for a 256GB model as well (with the same RAM). Global variants of the Galaxy A57 will come in Icyblue and Lilac trims, while the South Korean models will have two additional variants with 12GB RAM and up to 512GB of storage.

The Galaxy A56 launched at $500 and is now available for less. Samsung seems to have paused selling it directly from its site, but you can easily find it on other retailers like Best Buy and Amazon. International, unlocked models with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage can be found for roughly $390 on Amazon. The colors are not that exciting, but that can be easily fixed with the right case.

Samsung Galaxy A57 vs. Galaxy A56: Design and display

In terms of aesthetics, not much has changed between the Samsung Galaxy A57 vs. Galaxy A56. You might notice the differences once you hold both phones at the same time. The Galaxy A57 is slimmer at 6.9mm and lighter at just 179 grams. This is something that even Samsung flaunts in its marketing materials. While we didn't have any complaints against the Galaxy A56's dimensions, a lighter and slimmer phone is always welcome.

There doesn't seem to be any difference in the build quality. Both phones use an aluminum frame and feature Gorilla Glass Victus Plus on the front and back. The Galaxy A57 does get an improved IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, which is on par with the Galaxy S25 series. The Galaxy A56 has an IP67 rating, which is still pretty good, but the waterproofing part is not as strong as the A57.

The displays of the Samsung Galaxy A57 and Galaxy A56 seem to be identical when comparing both specs on paper. Both phones have a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 2,340x1,080 pixel resolution. Peak brightness is also the same, up to 1,900 nits.

We didn't face any glaring issues with the screen when we tested the Galaxy A56, so suffice it to say that the Galaxy A57 should behave in a similar manner. Even the most basic of AMOLED displays should provide a far superior viewing experience compared to IPS LCD panels, and it's great that Samsung is increasingly using them in most of its budget phones.

Samsung Galaxy A57 vs. Galaxy A56: Hardware, specs, and software

One of our biggest gripes with the Samsung Galaxy A56 was that it struggled to keep up with heavy-duty games. Hopefully, that's solved with the Galaxy A57 as it features a more recent Exynos 1680 chip compared to the Exynos 1580 in the A56. The newer chip also has a more powerful NPU on paper, which should also help deliver better on-device AI performance. There's also Bluetooth 6.0 connectivity on the A57.

The Galaxy A57 has the same 5,000mAh battery capacity and 45W wired charging speed as the Galaxy A56. We still don't have wireless charging for the A series, as that feature is being gate-kept for the S series.

Software is one more area where the Samsung Galaxy A57 steps ahead of the A56. It ships with One UI 8.5 and is promised to get up to six generations of OS upgrades and six years of security updates. The Galaxy A56 gets the same update commitment but will probably see one less Android upgrade since it launched in 2025.

What really sets the Galaxy A57 apart are the new "Awesome Intelligence" features that it gets. Features like transcription, AI text extraction, smarter multitasking, and AI camera features like Object Eraser, Best Face, and smarter visual search can now be done on the Galaxy A57. It's hard to say right now if the Galaxy A56 will also inherit these with a future One UI update.

Samsung Galaxy A57 vs. Galaxy A56: Cameras

There doesn't seem to be any changes made to the cameras on the Galaxy A57 when compared to the Galaxy A56. In our testing of the A56, we found the selfie camera to be quite competent in well-lit scenarios, despite not having autofocus. The main 50MP sensor was a bit inconsistent, though, as the quality wasn't on par compared to other mid-range [hones at that time. This experience could have gotten better with the A57 thanks to newer software and an updated ISP in the new SoC.

The secondary cameras include a 12MP ultrawide and a 5MP macro on both phones, and they performed quite poorly on the A56. I'm not expecting any drastic improvements on the A57, although we'll know for sure after testing it. I feel we're well past the macro trend that took the smartphone world by storm less than a decade ago. Samsung should either give a proper telephoto or ditch the third camera and improve the quality of the ultrawide. This middle-ground situation benefits nobody.

Samsung Galaxy A57 vs. Galaxy A56: Which should you buy?

Samsung has raised the price of the Galaxy A57 by $50 this year, and the upgrades do seem justified, given the ongoing global RAM crisis. If you're still on a Galaxy A53 or older phone, upgrading to the Galaxy A57 should offer a noticeable quality of life improvement. The latest software, along with the sturdier design, should make everyday use feel more enjoyable.

The Galaxy A57 is not perfect, though, as some of its peers offer better value at that price. For instance, if you're after solid gaming performance, then the OnePlus 13R is still a great choice. If it's reliable cameras you're after, you have the Pixel 10a/9a, which will blow the A57 away.

Samsung Galaxy A56 users needn't bother with the A57 as the upgrades are not that substantial. In fact, now's a good chance to get the A56 at a much better price, and you won't be compromising all that much either.

The latest mid-range phones from Samsung and Google are here, and the two phones take distinct approaches to making an affordable Android phone. Google opted to keep the Pixel 10a's affordable $500 price point intact, and as a consequence, the handset didn't get a lot of upgrades this year — even the Tensor G4 chip is carried over from the Pixel 10a. Meanwhile, Samsung made more substantial upgrades to the Galaxy A57, but it's also more expensive this year.

The last generation of Samsung and Google midrangers both hit the $500 price point, but now, the Galaxy A57 is $50 more expensive. That might not seem like much, but it puts the Galaxy A57 in closer competition with phones like the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE. In other words, Samsung is now competing with itself. All the while, the Google Pixel 10a comes in at a slightly lower price.

But should you buy the basic Google Pixel 10a or the pricier Samsung Galaxy A57? Let's compare all the differences to help you find out.

Samsung Galaxy A57 vs. Google Pixel 10a: Design and display

The Samsung Galaxy A57 and Google Pixel 10a are polar opposites in terms of design, and the in-hand feel you prefer will probably determine which midrange Android phone is best for you. One isn't inherently better or worse than the other; they're just different. The biggest separator is screen size, and the Galaxy A57 is incredibly appealing to those who want a phone with a large display at an affordable price.

Samsung offers a 6.7-inch screen on the Galaxy A57, which is great news for people who love a big phone with plenty of space for content consumption and multitasking. The display bezels still aren't symmetrical, and this is a frustrating compromise of buying a budget Samsung phone, but they're slimmer than the Galaxy A56's bezels. The Samsung Galaxy A57 has 1.5mm top and side bezels, while the bottom bezel is thicker at 2.5mm.

The screen offers a 1080x2340 resolution, 120Hz refresh rates, and a 1,900-nit peak brightness. Altogether, it's a solid midrange display, but the Google Pixel 10a offers a sharper, brighter panel in a smaller package.

Google equipped the Pixel 10a with a 6.3-inch display, which is a breath of fresh air for small-phone lovers. It has a 1080x2424 resolution on a smaller screen than the Galaxy A57, meaning the Pixel 10a will have a sharper display thanks to a higher pixel density. The maximum 120Hz refresh rates match the Galaxy A57's capabilities, but the Pixel 10a is much brighter, with a peak brightness rating of 3,000 nits. Additionally, the Pixel 10a has uniform display bezels, albeit thick ones.

The build quality is where Samsung starts to create an advantage. To Google's credit, the IP68 durability rating, aluminum side rails, and completely flush back are key perks of going with the Pixel 10a. However, the Galaxy A57 also offers IP68 certification and metal side rails, and Gorilla Glass Victus Plus on both the front and back. By comparison, the Pixel 10a only has Gorilla Glass 7i on the front while using a plastic back.

I don't mind the Pixel 10a's plastic back — it feels great in the hand — but most would find the Galaxy A57's glass more premium.

Samsung also wins in the Galaxy A57's in-hand feel, as long as you can live with the larger screen size. Despite the larger overall footprint, Samsung managed to make the Galaxy A57 just 6.9mm thick and weigh only 179 grams. Not only is that smaller than the Galaxy A56, but it's also considerably thinner and lighter than the Pixel 10a. Google's midranger is 9mm thick and weighs 183 grams.

It's worth reiterating that part of the reason for the Pixel 10a's thick chassis is the phone's lack of a camera bump. While the Galaxy A57 has a triple-camera system that protrudes from the rear case, the Pixel 10a's dual-camera cover is actually recessed beneath the plastic back. This means the Pixel 10a will feel completely flat in the hand and won't rock back and forth on a table.

This is a neat perk and really makes the Pixel 10a stand out, especially compared to phones like the Galaxy A57, which have a large camera bump.

Samsung Galaxy A57 vs. Google Pixel 10a: Hardware and specs

In terms of performance, neither the Galaxy A57 nor the Pixel 10a offers top-of-the-line specs. However, both will be capable of handling daily smartphone needs for years to come, with long software support guarantees. Each handset ships with Android 16, with the Pixel 10a debuting with Pixel UI and Material 3 Expressive and the Galaxy A57 launching with One UI 8.5. Google offers seven years of OS upgrades, while Samsung only offers six.

Google chose to use the Google Tensor G4 for another year on the A-series Pixel, which is disappointing for those who wanted extra performance and more RAM. The Pixel 10a performs almost exactly like the Pixel 9a, as both phones have the same chip and 8GB of RAM. Meanwhile, the Galaxy A57 offers the Samsung Exynos 1680 chip and either 8GB or 12GB RAM, depending on the configuration.

The Google Pixel 10a has a slightly larger battery, but the Samsung Galaxy A57 charges faster. Google packs a 5,100mAh battery inside the Pixel 10a, while you get a 5,000mAh cell inside the Galaxy A57. That said, the Samsung midranger charges at up to 45W over a cable, compared to Google's 30W maximum. This could prove to be more valuable than a bit of extra capacity in real-world use.

However, it comes at a cost. The Galaxy A57 doesn't support wireless charging, let alone magnetic charging. Wireless charging used to be a common omission on midrange phones as a cost-cutting measure, but it feels like a feature that should be standard in 2026. The Google Pixel 10a does include wireless charging, albeit at slow 10W speeds with no built-in magnets.

Samsung Galaxy A57 vs. Google Pixel 10a: Cameras

The camera systems on the Galaxy A57 and the Pixel 10a are a classic example that more doesn't always equal better. The Galaxy A57 has three cameras, and the Pixel 10a only has two, so the Samsung phone must be better, right? Not exactly. That third camera on the Galaxy A57 is a tiny, low-resolution 5MP macro lens you'll probably never use.

The Pixel 10a has a software-based Macro Focus mode that lets you take macro shots with the ultrawide lens, and it might actually perform better than the Galaxy A57's dedicated macro lens. On midrange phones like these, the secondary lenses are usually lackluster, and it all comes down to the primary shooters.

With that in mind, the main cameras on the Galaxy A57 and Pixel 10a are quite similar. The Samsung phone offers a 50MP sensor, while the Google handset provides a 48MP sensor. The Google Pixel 10a and Samsung Galaxy A57 also feature ultrawide cameras at 13MP and 12MP, respectively. On the front, the Pixel 10a comes with a 13MP sensor, and the Galaxy A57 sports a 12MP camera.

Samsung Galaxy A57 vs. Google Pixel 10a: Which should you buy?

No one likes price hikes, but the Samsung Galaxy A57 includes a larger screen, a premium design, and almost-flagship specs to justify the price. There's just one issue — Samsung is competing with itself. The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE is the better all-around phone, and it's discounted to just $500 right now. You can get a Galaxy S25 FE for less than a Galaxy A57, and that makes it hard to recommend the new A-series midranger.

The same can be said about the Google Pixel 10a, though. While it's a great phone at $500, it shares many similarities with the Pixel 9a. The difference is that the Pixel 9a isn't seeing great discounts at the moment — it's only $30 cheaper than the Pixel 10a. So, the Pixel 10a makes more sense to buy at full price than the Galaxy A57, even though the latter is arguably better.

If you have your eye on the Galaxy A57, perhaps consider waiting for discounts. If the Galaxy A57 gets a price cut by even $50 or $100, it becomes a much easier sell. That's inevitably going to happen, but it doesn't make sense to buy the Galaxy A57 at full price when the Galaxy S25 FE and Google Pixel 10a exist.

Is the S Pen on Samsung Galaxy phones here to stay? No one knows the answer to that question, but there's reason for Android stylus fans to be skeptical.

Of course, Samsung killed the Galaxy Note many years ago, but it also axed the S Pen for foldables with the release of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 just last year. It canned Air Actions, the S Pen's Bluetooth remote control features, with the Galaxy S25 Ultra. From the outside looking in, it seems Samsung isn't prioritizing the S Pen as it once did — even though the latest Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra includes one.

At the same time, Motorola is doubling down on styluses. It announced pens for the upcoming Razr Fold and Moto Pad, and just unveiled the Moto G Stylus 2026. The latest model includes an active stylus for the first time, adding features like pressure sensitivity and tilt detection. That puts the Moto G Stylus 2026 in the same league as the Galaxy S26 Ultra, which also sports an active stylus in the S Pen.

But is there anyone willing to grab the $500 Moto G Stylus 2026 instead of the $1,300 Galaxy S26 Ultra, and accept the compromises that come with the lower price? Let's find out.

Moto G Stylus 2026 vs. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: The pens

The two things tying the Moto G Stylus 2026 and the Galaxy S26 Ultra together are their built-in styluses. Both phones now support active styluses, which means they use tiny internal batteries to communicate with their screens. This is how features like Air View hover previews with the S Pen or pressure-sensitive drawings on the Moto G Stylus 2026 are possible.

Motorola says its stylus will last 100 hours on a single charge, and powers up in 15 minutes when docked inside the Moto G Stylus 2026. Samsung doesn't advertise the S Pen's battery life, but it works the same way. When stored in its silo, the pen charges, and it's ready to go when you pull it out.

Each phone offers distinct software tricks that make use of the pen. Motorola built entire Android OS behaviors around the new active stylus, like how you can drag and drop images or magnify text using the pen. There's also a new Handwriting Calculator that solves your math problems as you draw them. You get a button on the stylus for highlighting text that can be shared to the Notes app.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra's stylus has a slight design problem — the S Pen can only be docked in one direction. It's curved to match the curvature of the device chassis, so it won't fit if inserted upside down. Aside from that limitation, it's as capable as ever, with software tools like AI Select, AI Drawing, and Air Commands. Longtime S Pen users will notice that Air Actions, otherwise known as Bluetooth S Pen features, are missing for the second straight year.

Motorola Moto G Stylus 2026 vs. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Design and display

The overall designs of the two smartphones are quite different. Samsung's Galaxy S26 Ultra is larger, while Motorola's Moto G Stylus 2026 is more compact. The former has a 6.9-inch screen, and the latter has a 6.7-inch screen. Samsung's display is special because it supports the Privacy Display feature that uses custom wide and narrow pixels that can be turned off individually to limit viewing angles.

Both displays are OLED and capable of 120Hz refresh rates. The Moto G Stylus 2026 is actually brighter than the Galaxy S26 Ultra, with a peak rating of 5,000 nits compared to 2,600 nits. The Stylus 2026 has a Super HD display, while the Galaxy S26 Ultra has a QHD+ resolution, and each has its own quirks. Motorola's screen has a Water Touch mode that improves accuracy when the surface is wet, while Samsung's Gorilla Armor 2 coating is anti-reflective.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra is wider and taller than the Moto G Stylus 2026, but it's also thinner, measuring 7.9mm thick. The Moto G Stylus is slightly thicker at 8.3mm, and features interesting vegan leather Pantone Coal Smoke and Pantone Lavender Mist colorways.

In terms of durability, the Galaxy S26 Ultra supports IP68 dust- and water-resistance, but the Moto G Stylus 2026 takes that up to IP69. It's an even tougher standard that improves water-resistance against high-pressure and high-temperature water jets.

Motorola Moto G Stylus 2026 vs. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Hardware and specs

Raw hardware and specs won't help the Moto G Stylus 2026 stand out. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 powering the experience is the exact same chip we saw on the Moto G Stylus 2025. It's an old, underpowered chip that doesn't help Motorola justify this year's $100 price increase. The 8GB of memory and 128GB or 256GB of storage aren't anything special, either — though the Moto G Stylus 2026 does support up to 1TB of expandable microSD card storage.

That's before we bring the Galaxy S26 Ultra into the conversation, which will unsurprisingly blow Motorola's budget offering out of the water. It uses a state-of-the-art Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor paired with either 12GB or 16GB of RAM. It's arguably the best chip on the Android side of the smartphone market, and can handle your needs of today and tomorrow.

The Moto G Stylus 2026 might struggle to meet tomorrow's needs, given its short software support guarantee that spans only two major Android OS upgrades. You do get Android 16 out of the box, but anything beyond that is a risk because Motorola has a subpar track record in this area. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S26 Ultra starts with the Android 16-based One UI 8.5 and comes with seven years of Android OS updates.

Motorola does win the battery battle with a larger capacity and faster wired charging speeds. The Moto G Stylus 2026 has a 5,200mAh capacity and charges at 68W over a cable, but wirelessly it drops to 15W. The Galaxy S26 Ultra has a 5,000mAh battery and supports 60W wired charging, but offers faster 25W speeds wirelessly.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra offers the vastly superior camera system, with a quadruple-sensor layout on the rear including a 200MP primary shooter, a 50MP ultrawide, a 50MP 5x zoom telephoto, and another 10MP 3x zoom telephoto. Motorola's phone features a 50MP main sensor and a 13MP ultrawide on the back, but that's it. Although a light sensor and flash are disguised to look like extra camera lenses, they aren't ones.

Motorola Moto G Stylus 2026 vs. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: A worthy competitor?

If you're looking for an Android phone with a stylus, the Moto G Stylus 2026 makes you wonder how much smartphone you really need. Could a $500 phone handle your daily messages, calls, photos, and social media scrolling? It's possible, and I'm always ready to admit that few people truly require a flagship phone costing in excess of $1,000. However, Motorola didn't do much to convince users that the Moto G Stylus 2026 is ready to challenge phones like the Galaxy S26 Ultra.

The Moto G Stylus 2026 is powered by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor, which is carried over from the 2025 model and first released in 2024. It's not just a low-end mobile chip; it's also an aging one. Plus, the Moto G Stylus 2026 only comes with two years of Android OS upgrades, and we're familiar with Motorola's poor track record with software updates. The camera system is identical to the one on the Moto G Stylus 2025, too.

So, if Motorola's goal by adding an active stylus and raising the price by $100 was to make the Moto G Stylus 2026 a closer competitor to the Galaxy S26 Ultra, I don't think it met the mark. The stylus is great, and so is the display, IP69 certification, and battery. The other things that make an excellent Android phone, like a fast processor, great cameras, and long software support, just aren't flagship-caliber — and aren't even really that close.

It's the same story as usual for the Moto G Stylus 2026. This is an outstanding phone for the price, and, incredibly, you get an active stylus for $500. You'll just have to give up a lot compared to the best of the best, like the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Considering Motorola's stylus phone is $800 cheaper than Samsung's, that shouldn't come as a huge surprise.

Besides Samsung, Motorola has been the only smartphone maker in the mid-range segment to consistently deliver a stylus phone, year after year. Like clockwork, the company just dropped the 2026 Moto G Stylus, and it looks a lot like the 2025 model, but with one major difference — the stylus is finally active rather than passive. This means it now offers advanced features like pressure sensitivity and tilt detection, just like Samsung's S Pen.

This, along with a few upgrades to the specs, makes the Moto G Stylus 2026 now cost $100 more. The price increase seems to be largely due to the new stylus since the specs of both phones are very similar. That said, it could also be due to the ongoing RAM shortage. This makes it even harder to decide between the Moto G Stylus 2026 vs. the Moto G Stylus 2025, but that's where we come in. Here are all the similarities and differences between the two phones so you can make an informed decision.

Moto G Stylus 2026 vs. Moto G Stylus 2025: Design and display

Motorola seems committed to its recent design change, and the Moto G Stylus 2026 looks very similar to the 2025 model, but with very subtle design changes around the camera island. The dimensions are roughly the same, and both phones measure 8.3mm in thickness and weigh around the same 192 grams (191 grams on the 2025 Moto G Stylus). The rear has the same faux-leather finish but with new colors called Pantone Coal Smoke and Pantone Lavender Mist, and a different texture.

Both phones are built tough and feature the MIL-STD-810H certification. What has improved in the 2026 Moto G Stylus is the new IP69 rating for extreme water resistance. The 2025 model is not far behind with its IP68 rating, but you won't be able to submerge it under water for more than 30 minutes (nor should you want to).

The big game-changer, of course, is the new stylus. If you're considering this phone, you probably already intend to use it for note-taking or drawing. The active stylus on the 2026 Moto G Stylus should offer a huge performance improvement over the 2025 model. Sketching, especially, should feel a lot more intuitive as you can now easily shade an area of your drawing by tilting the stylus, just like you would a regular pencil.

Automatically create thinner or thicker brush strokes depending on how much pressure you apply to the tip. Motorola says the pen will last up to 100 hours per charge, and you can fully charge it in just 15 minutes once it's docked in the silo. The pen is also IP68/IP69 rated. The 2025 model uses a passive pen, which, despite claims of 4X better sensitivity, still felt laggy during testing.

The 2025 Moto G Stylus had a bright and vibrant display, and it's pretty much the same deal on the 2026 model, too. Motorola has bumped up the peak brightness from 3,000 nits to 5,000 nits, so that's good. Otherwise, you get the same 6.7-inch AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate and Gorilla Glass 3 scratch protection.

Moto G Stylus 2026 vs. Moto G Stylus 2025: Specs, pricing, & software

The Moto G Stylus 2026 features roughly identical core specs as the Moto G Stylus 2025. Both phones use the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 SoC and feature 8GB of LPDDR5X RAM with either 128GB or 256GB of storage. Keep in mind that the high storage variant will set you back $100, coming in at $599, while the base variant is $499. In order to sweeten the deal, Motorola is bundling a four-pack of Moto Tags with the base variant and even more goodies with the 256GB variant, like a Moto Watch and Moto Buds Loop. This is actually a pretty neat deal and kind of makes up for the price bump.

Another area for improvement is the battery size. The 2026 Moto G Stylus features a 5,200mAh battery (vs. 5,000mAh), but charging speeds are the same at 68W wired and 15W wireless. The new model runs Android 16 and promises two OS upgrades. You have Motorola's Hello UX running on top of Android, which is the same lean skin we've all known and loved.

The 2025 Moto G Stylus was $399 when it launched a year back, but you can now officially find the 256GB variant for $350, and this is outside of any big sale season. This makes it a very good value for money, especially if you don't need the fancy new features of the active pen in the 2026 model. The specs are also roughly identical so you're really not losing much, if anything.

Moto G Stylus 2026 vs. Moto G Stylus 2025: Cameras

There doesn't seem to be any significant changes to the camera hardware on the Moto G Stylus 2026. Just like the 2025 model, you get a 50MP main sensor, 13MP ultrawide with autofocus for macro shots, and a front-facing 32MP camera, which is also capable of 4K recording. Outside of hardware, though, Motorola has added more Moto AI features and camera tricks like Action Shot and Super Zoom. I feel these features should also make their way to the 2025 model with a future update.

Based on our experience with the Moto G Stylus 2025, we felt the cameras did more than an adequate job in good lighting. You should expect similar performance with the 2026 model, too, albeit with the addition of Signature Style mode, which uses AI to give photos a new flair based on your preferences.

Moto G Stylus 2026 vs. Moto G Stylus 2025: Which one should you buy?

If you're serious about notetaking or sketching on your phone and don't want to spend north of $1,000, the Moto G Stylus 2026 is the perfect compromise. It offers S Pen-like functionality in a phone that costs less than half as much. In fact, it's more water-resistant than the Galaxy S26 Ultra, which is a big win. Motorola is also throwing in a lot of freebies during the launch phase, so it's best to take advantage while you can.

A stylus is not for everyone, though, and if you think you'll only use it occasionally to sign documents or for basic notetaking, the 2025 Moto G Stylus is still one of the best Motorola phones on the market. Not only that, it's a lot cheaper now, making it an even better value for money.

Samsung has refreshed two of its very popular budget models in the A series — the Galaxy A57 and the Galaxy A37. Both phones have gone up in price by $50 and feature improved waterproofing with an IP68 rating. Other changes involve a tweaked design, new colors, more AI features, and the same six-year Android OS upgrade promise that made their predecessors so popular to begin with.

The dilemma many buyers face when comparing the Galaxy A57 vs. Galaxy A37 is whether to pay the $100 premium for the A57. Let's break down all the specs and features and see which one of the two is the better buy.

Samsung Galaxy A57 vs. Galaxy A37: Pricing, colors, and availability

The Samsung Galaxy A57 starts at $549.99 for 128GB of storage and $609.99 for 256GB. The good news is that you get 8GB of RAM even on the base model. In the U.S., Samsung is restricting the color to just Awesome Navy, but you can get the A57 in Gray, Icyblue, and Lilac in global markets. The A57 is sold unlocked in the U.S., and you can grab some offers and discounts from Samsung since it just launched.

The Galaxy A37 is sold unlocked or via Verizon, and prices start at $449.99 for the 128GB variant with 6GB of RAM. The 256GB variant costs $539.99, and this one gets 8GB of RAM. The A37 comes in Lavender and Charcoal in the U.S.

Samsung Galaxy A57 vs. Galaxy A37: Design and display

The Samsung Galaxy A57 and Galaxy A37 look very similar at first glance, but the differences would only be noticeable once you actually hold both phones in each hand. The Galaxy A57 gets a more premium build with an aluminum frame and is also slimmer and lighter. The size and weight differences should be quite apparent as we're talking 6.9mm vs. 7.4mm (A37) for thickness, and 179 grams vs. 196 grams (A37) for the weight.

Interestingly, both phones have Gorilla Glass Victus Plus for the front and back. You'd think that the plastic frame on the Galaxy A37 would result in lower weight, but that's not the case. Another feature that both phones have in common is an upgraded IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. While the other dimensions of both phones are similar, the Galaxy A57 should offer better ergonomics.

The Galaxy A37 wins some points back in the display department as it has the same 6.7-inch screen size as the Galaxy A57. Both phones feature Super AMOLED panels with a 120Hz refresh rate and a 2,340 x 1,080 pixel resolution. Peak brightness is also the same at 1,900 nits. There is one big difference between the two displays, though, and that is that the Galaxy A57 supports HDR10+ playback while the Galaxy A37 doesn't. This should matter mostly to users who consume a lot of streaming video content on their phones.

Samsung Galaxy A57 vs. Galaxy A37: Hardware, specs, and software

The processor used in both phones is different. The Samsung Galaxy A57 gets an upgraded Exynos 1680 chip, which launched in 2026, while the Galaxy A37 uses an Exynos 1480 processor from 2024. Needless to say, you should expect the Galaxy A57 to perform better in games and general AI tasks. It's hard to know for sure what the exact real-world differences would be without testing them, but I think it's safe to say that the A57 should perform better at gaming than the A37.

Another thing going against the Galaxy A37 is the lower 6GB of RAM in the base variant. While day-to-day performance should be similar to the A57, complex tasks like any on-device AI processing or gaming could have a negative impact here.

One hardware aspect that's identical on both phones is the battery capacity. You get a 5,000mAh pack with 45W charging. Neither phone supports wireless charging.

The Samsung Galaxy A57 and Galaxy A37 should offer a similar software experience as both run One UI 8.5. There are also plenty of AI features to explore on both, like AI-powered text extraction, voice transcription in the recorder app, and better multitasking tools. You get improved versions of older tools like Object Eraser and Circle to Search. Some features, like Best Face in the camera app, are only available on the Galaxy A57.

Both models stand to receive up to six generations of Android OS upgrades and six years of security updates. It seems that Samsung has standardized its update policy now, even for budget offerings, while its flagship S series gets an extra year of updates.

Samsung Galaxy A57 vs. Galaxy A37: Cameras

The Galaxy A57 and Galaxy A37 feature similar camera specs, except for the ultrawide sensor. The A57 has a 12MP sensor while the A37 uses an 8MP one. It's not a big difference in resolution, but we could still see some differences in details and colors between the two. The rest of the camera specs are pretty similar. Both phones feature a 50MP main sensor and a 5MP macro camera. The front camera is a 12MP sensor with fixed focus.

We tested the Galaxy A56 and found the cameras to be average at best. This means while you can expect decent results from the main and selfie cameras, don't expect much from the two auxiliary cameras on the back. One good thing is that the Galaxy A57 and A37 support 4K video recording with the main sensor.

Samsung Galaxy A57 vs. Galaxy A37: Which should you buy?

It's clear that the Samsung Galaxy A57 is the better budget phone compared to the Galaxy A37. What I'm not convinced of, though, is that it's worth buying either at full price. With a $50 price bump to $450, the Galaxy A37 is not a great value compared to phones like the Pixel 9a or even the Galaxy A56 that sell for that price (or less). I think we need a price reduction or a permanent discount of sorts for both the Galaxy A57 and Galaxy A37 before I can give them a solid recommendation.

You'll find plenty of great options under $500 today. It's hard to ignore the sheer value that the Pixel 10a and Pixel 9a offer in this segment, and both feature wireless charging and bigger batteries than the A57 and A37. If you're looking for something with a stand-out design, don't forget the Nothing Phone 4a Pro, which starts at $499. The older Galaxy A36 is also a good value now that it's a bit cheaper and is practically the same phone as the A37.

Flagship phones like the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL offer some of the best Android experiences you can get. However, not everyone wants to spend that much on a phone, and that's where the best mid-range Android options come in.

While Nothing's CEO Carl Pei has confirmed that no flagship phones are coming this year, the company has refreshed its mid-range lineup with the Phone 4a and the Phone 4a Pro. Out of the two, the Phone 4a Pro is the one making its way to the U.S.

Google has also recently launched the Pixel 10a, keeping a very familiar design from last year's Pixel 9a and pricing it similarly to the Nothing Phone 4a Pro. With both phones sitting in the same bracket, which one actually makes more sense to buy? Let's take a closer look and see how they compare.

Nothing Phone 4a Pro vs. Google Pixel 10a: Pricing, colors, and availability

Nothing debuted the Phone 4a Pro on March 5, 2026, with a starting price of $499 for the base model with 128GB storage and 8GB RAM. There's also a $599 variant that bumps things up to 256GB storage and 12GB RAM. As for colors, the Nothing Phone 4a Pro is available in Black, Silver, and Pink.

The Google Pixel 10a was made official on February 18, 2026. Despite rising component costs, Google has kept pricing the same as last year at $499 for the 128GB base model. There's also a 256GB variant priced at $599.

The Pixel 10a comes in four colors: Obsidian (black), Fog (pale green), Berry (red-pink), and Lavender (blue-purple).

Nothing Phone 4a Pro vs. Google Pixel 10a: Design and display

Starting with the design, this is probably where the Nothing Phone 4a Pro and the Pixel 10a differ the most. While Google has kept a very similar design to the Pixel 9a, with a clean back, rounded corners, and flat edges, the Nothing Phone 4a Pro brings a more industrial and unique look.

The Nothing Phone 4a Pro moves away from the company's transparent back in favor of an aluminum unibody design with a large camera island at the top, which does feel a bit inspired by the iPhone 17 Pro's camera plateau. The module houses the cameras, flash, and, for the first time on the a-series, a Glyph Matrix.

While Nothing has used Glyph LEDs before, this is the first time it's bringing the newer Glyph Matrix, first seen on the Nothing Phone 3, to this lineup. It includes 137 mini-LEDs that act like a secondary display, showing notifications and other information on the back.

You can use it for things like tracking live activities such as food delivery or rides, assigning icons to contacts and apps, and even trying small interactive tools like a coin flip.

In terms of build, the Nothing Phone 4a Pro feels more premium with its aluminum frame and back. The Pixel 10a also uses an aluminum frame but sticks with a plastic back.

That said, while the Nothing phone looks more striking, it comes with slightly lower water resistance. The Pixel 10a is rated IP68, while the Nothing Phone 4a Pro is IP65. The Nothing device is also heavier and larger compared to the Pixel 10a.