Google has introduced its third-generation foldable phone, now the first completely waterproof and dustproof model on the market. It’s touted as being more robust than any existing phone, featuring cutting-edge AI and a collection of adaptive cameras.
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold enhances last year’s highly praised 9 Pro Fold by eliminating the hinge mechanism along the spine. This improvement addresses the dust issue that has plagued previous foldable devices, thereby elevating its usability beyond that of typical flat phones.
However, similar to other foldable smartphones, the Pixel comes with a hefty price tag of £1,749 (€1,899/$1,799/AU$2,699), significantly higher than the £1,199 Pixel 10 Pro XL and comparable to the similarly priced Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7.
According to Google, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold’s innovative gearless hinge can endure over ten years of folding. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Beyond the enhanced durability, there are minimal design modifications compared to the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. The outer display is marginally larger due to slimmer bezels, and both screens are a bit brighter. When closed, the Fold is perfectly shaped for mobile tasks, while its spacious internal screen elegantly accommodates two full-sized apps side-by-side.
Nonetheless, the Pixel feels quite hefty and somewhat bulky in contrast to Samsung’s unexpectedly slim and lightweight Z Fold 7. Weighing in at 258g, it’s comfortable to handle and fits in your pocket, yet remains notably thicker than standard phones and its modern competitors.
The inclusion of Qi2 charging compatibility enhances its versatility with various magnetic accessories, including the Superior Magnetic Accessories. Twelve South Curve Nano stand (left) and QDOS SnapStand Qi2 Charger (right). Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The Fold operates on the same Google Tensor G5 chip utilized across the Pixel 10 lineup, equipped with 16GB of RAM and a minimum of 256GB of storage. Its performance aligns with that of the Pixel 10 Pro, providing snappy responsiveness and managing tasks effortlessly. Nonetheless, for the top frame rates in high-end gaming, a device with Qualcomm’s premier Snapdragon chip has an advantage.
As with all foldable models, the Fold’s battery life shifts significantly based on which display you predominantly use. With approximately 5 hours of active screen time on a bright day, evenly split between the inner and outer displays while mostly on Wi-Fi, the Pixel achieved around 38-40 hours between charges. On heavily 5G days with extensive screen usage, it lasted about 28 hours, concluding the day with 25% battery remaining. While this isn’t unacceptable, it certainly lags behind its top competitors and larger screens such as the Pixel 10 Pro XL.
To achieve a full charge, it takes 90 minutes and reaches 50% in just 30 minutes with a 30W or higher USB-C power adapter (sold separately). It also supports 15W Qi2 wireless charging. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Specifications
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Off-screen: 6.4 inch FHD+ 120Hz OLED (408ppi)
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In the screen: 8 inch 120Hz OLED (373ppi)
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Processor: Google Tensor G5
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RAM: 16 GB
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Storage: 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB
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Operating System: Android 16
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Camera: 48MP wide, 10.5MP ultrawide, 10.8MP 5x telephoto, 2 x 10MP selfie cameras
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Connectivity: 5G, eSIM, USB-C, Wi-Fi 7, NFC, Bluetooth 6, UWB, Thread, GNSS
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Water Resistance: IP68 (30 minutes at a depth of 1.5 meters)
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Dimensions when folded: 155.2×76.3×10.8mm
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Unfolded Dimensions: 155.2×150.4×5.2mm
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Weight: 258g
Android 16, Magic Cue, Gemini
If you’re running two apps simultaneously on your screen, you can slide one out of the way for additional space. Tap it to restore the app to full screen. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The Fold operates on the same Android 16 software found across the Pixel 10 Pro lineup, featuring a vibrant and colorful exterior while integrating advanced AI tools throughout the device.
Key features include the Gemini chatbot, which can observe and interpret user interactions, engage with different apps, and overall provide greater utility. Additionally, there’s an innovative real-time translation system for calls, replicating the caller’s voice directly.
A notable addition is Magic Cue, a discreet assistant that functions in the background, synthesizing information from various Google services and presenting it when pertinent. For example, if a friend texts asking for flight details, it can suggest corresponding information from your calendar for easy sharing. Likewise, when contacting a business, relevant order details from Gmail are displayed in your phone app.
Moreover, the Fold has been optimized to fully utilize the expansive internal display. A taskbar at the bottom facilitates quick app placement into split screen mode. Similar to the Honor Magic V5 and OnePlus Open, it allows for resizing apps across the screen’s borders, offering increased adaptability when multitasking with two apps.
The Fold also includes subscriptions for Google AI Pro at £19 a month for the first year, granting access to more robust Gemini AI models along with 2TB of cloud storage for photos, documents, and emails. The device is also eligible for software updates until October 2032.
Sustainability
The recycled aluminum framework offers a premium and sturdy feel. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The battery is rated to endure over 1,000 full charging cycles, maintaining at least 80% of its original capacity. The phone can be repaired by Google, at third-party services, or through self-repair options with available manuals.
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold comprises 29% recycled materials by weight, including aluminum, cobalt, copper, glass, gold, plastic, rare earth elements, tin, and tungsten. The company provides insights on the lifecycle impacts of its products in its report and offers to recycle old devices for free.
Camera
The camera application offers multiple functionality modes, but shooting images is most efficient when the Pixel is closed, much like a traditional smartphone. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The 10 Pro Fold features a camera system comparable to last year’s 9 Pro Fold and the new Pixel 10. It includes a 48MP primary camera, a 10.5MP ultra-wide camera, a 10.8MP 5x telephoto camera that can outperform rivals in its class, along with two 10MP selfie cameras.
The primary camera captures excellent images across various conditions, though some blurriness and graininess may occur in low-light scenarios. Google’s Night Mode remains the industry’s best for darker environments. The ultra-wide-angle camera performs well, and the 5x optical zoom telephoto lens effectively closes distances to subjects, although detail may falter in less-than-ideal lighting. While the camera consistently delivers high-quality photos and videos, it doesn’t entirely meet the high standards expected from the Pixel 10 Pro line at this price point.
The Fold comes with unique features such as the ability to utilize the main camera for selfies, alongside various shooting modes that engage both displays while at a partially folded position. A captivating “Made You Look” option plays a lively animation on the outer screen that captures your child’s attention, allowing you to seize the perfect moment. Regrettably, this feature employs one of the selfie cameras instead of the primary one, prioritizing fun over quality.
Price
Pricing for the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold starts at £1,749 (€1,899/$1,799/2,699 AUD).
For reference, the Pixel 10 is priced at £799, the Pixel 10 Pro at £999, and the Pixel 10 Pro XL at £1,199. In comparison, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 retails for £1,799, while the Honor Magic V5 is available for £1,699.99.
Verdict
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold represents a subtle improvement over last year’s exceptional 9 Pro Fold, but its true influence may unfold in the future. As the first genuinely dustproof foldable device, it establishes a new durability standard, gradually aligning itself with conventional flat phones.
That said, the inner screen is inherently softer than regular tempered glass to accommodate folding, necessitating careful handling to avoid marks.
The addition of Qi2 magnetic accessories and charging support is a valuable enhancement for the Fold, as it is across other Pixel models. This phone offers impressive speed, reasonable battery life, efficient software, and leading-edge AI capabilities. The camera is competent for foldable devices, though it doesn’t quite match up to regular smartphones.
The Pixel does a commendable job of functioning as a standard phone when closed and a versatile tablet when expanded, though it is bulkier and heavier than the noticeably sleeker Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7.
Pros: Combines the functionality of a phone and tablet, waterproof and dust resistant, supports Qi2 magnetic accessories and charging, fantastic tablet display, powerful performance, excellent camera with 5x zoom, rich AI features including Magic Cue, accompanied by a year of Google AI Pro service, and 7 years of software updates.
Cons: High price point, more fragile than standard devices, costly repairs, thicker and heavier, the camera doesn’t rival the regular Pixel 10 Pro, battery performance could improve, and lacks advanced features for power users in comparison to competitors.
In its closed form, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold approximates the size of an ordinary smartphone. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Source: www.theguardian.com
