Google’s latest foldable, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, prioritizes resilience over radical redesign. While visually similar to last year’s model, the key upgrade is its newfound IP68 water and dust resistance—a first for Pixel foldables. This addresses a major consumer concern with early foldable devices, which were notoriously fragile.
The Durability Focus
Foldable phones have struggled with long-term reliability. Hinges break, inner screens crack, and dust ingress damages components. Google’s Pixel 10 Pro Fold tackles these issues with a redesigned, gearless hinge that minimizes gaps, reducing debris entry. Though rigorous sand tests weren’t conducted, daily pocket and bag use showed no impact. The IP68 rating ensures better protection against liquids, though submersion testing wasn’t performed.
Performance and Hardware
The phone features a Tensor G5 processor, adequate for everyday tasks but lagging behind competitors in benchmark tests. Battery life has improved, and the display is brighter, though the bezels remain thicker than on other modern devices.
Google’s AI integrations, including Magic Cue, call translation, and a camera coach, are carried over from the Pixel 10 Pro. These features enhance usability but aren’t exclusive to the foldable.
Camera Compromises
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold’s camera system is a step down from the flagship Pixel 10 Pro. While it includes a 48-megapixel main sensor, a 10.8-megapixel telephoto with 5x optical zoom, and a 10.5-megapixel ultrawide, the image quality doesn’t match the 50-megapixel main and 48-megapixel auxiliary lenses found in the standard Pixel 10 Pro.
The telephoto and ultrawide lenses struggle in low light. The camera also exhibits unwanted macro mode activation when photographing small objects. Notably absent is the Pixel AI Zoom feature, which allows for up to 100x magnification.
The Misleading “Pro” Label
The inclusion of “Pro” in the Pixel 10 Pro Fold’s name is misleading. The foldable lags behind the Pixel 10 Pro in camera performance, cooling, and charging capabilities. It lacks the vapor chamber cooling found in the standard Pro model and supports only 25W Qi2 wireless charging.
Software and Ecosystem
Google must encourage developers to optimize third-party apps for the foldable form factor. Multitasking performance remains glitchy, and features like Samsung’s multi-window functionality are absent.
The Verdict
Amidst the race for thinner foldables, Google has prioritized durability with the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. The device is heavier and bulkier than competitors but boasts improved resilience. The camera system is a compromise, but acceptable for casual users.
Priced at $1,799 (with potential discounts), the Pixel 10 Pro Fold offers a fully baked Google experience in a foldable form. If you prioritize longevity over cutting-edge innovation, this device is a solid choice
