Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold Hands On Forget Thinness Google Is Going Hard On Durability
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold was a revelation for Google, but for its third attempt, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, the company is taking a different path. Instead of chasing thinness like its main rival, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, Google has focused on creating what might be the most rugged foldable phone on the market.
This new focus is headlined by a major achievement an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. While this is standard on traditional flagships, it is a first for any foldable, combining top tier protection from both elements in one device. For gadgets that are inherently more fragile, this is a significant step forward in durability.
Google says the phone s 8 inch Super Actua Flex display is backed by a new titanium backplate for added rigidity. A more robust layer of ultra thin glass improves scratch resistance. The exterior is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both the front and back. A new gearless hinge is claimed to be designed to handle over ten years of bending. To power it all, Google has equipped the phone with a larger 5,015mAh battery, a notable increase from the previous model s 4,650mAh cell.
Despite these substantial upgrades, the overall dimensions remain almost identical to the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. At 10.8mm thick when folded and weighing 9.1 ounces, it is chunkier than Samsung s newly streamlined Z Fold 7. Given the major redesign last year, another sleek chassis was unlikely, and the trade off for this newfound ruggedness seems worthwhile, for now.
Inside, performance gets a boost from the new Tensor G5 chip. Google states the CPU offers 34 percent better performance, while the TPU sees a 60 percent jump over the Tensor G4. Like the rest of the Pixel 10 family, it supports the Pixelsnap magnetic charging ecosystem, which is fully compatible with the Qi2 standard. This makes the Pixel 10 Pro Fold the first foldable phone to support Qi2. Wired charging sees a slight bump to 30 watts, but wireless charging remains at 15W. Base memory stays at 16GB of RAM, with storage options now ranging from 256GB to 1TB.
Other refinements include slimmer bezels around the 6.4 inch exterior display, making its curved corner look less awkward. Both the inner and outer displays are also brighter, now capable of reaching 3,000 nits.
The phone benefits from new Google AI tools like Magic Cue and the Daily Hub. It also gets two foldable specific upgrades enhanced drag and drop support for improved multitasking and a new dual pane layout for the camera app. This layout shows recently taken photos on the left while keeping the viewfinder active on the right when the phone is unfolded.
The biggest potential shortcoming is that the camera hardware is largely unchanged from the previous model. While that phone had the best photo quality of any foldable, it means the Pixel 10 Pro Fold misses out on the Pixel 10 Pro s AI powered 100x Pro Res Zoom and the ability to capture full resolution portrait shots. Google has no current plans to port these features over.
In many ways, Google is improving the foldable in every area except for making it thinner. For those who prioritize durability over a svelte profile, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold offers a compelling package of ruggedness and power.
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold starts at 1,799 dollars and is available for pre order in jade and moonstone colors. Official sales begin on October 9.