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Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold Review: A Durable Foldable Smartphone with Enhanced Dust Resistance

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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

  • Off-screen: 6.4 inch FHD+ 120Hz OLED (408ppi)

  • In the screen: 8 inch 120Hz OLED (373ppi)

  • Processor: Google Tensor G5

  • RAM: 16 GB

  • Storage: 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB

  • Operating System: Android 16

  • Camera: 48MP wide, 10.5MP ultrawide, 10.8MP 5x telephoto, 2 x 10MP selfie cameras

  • Connectivity: 5G, eSIM, USB-C, Wi-Fi 7, NFC, Bluetooth 6, UWB, Thread, GNSS

  • Water Resistance: IP68 (30 minutes at a depth of 1.5 meters)

  • Dimensions when folded: 155.2×76.3×10.8mm

  • Unfolded Dimensions: 155.2×150.4×5.2mm

  • 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

Durable and Easily Recyclable: Biodegradable Plastic Crafted from Bamboo

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Bamboo is a quickly renewable resource

James Freeman / Alamy

Bamboo-derived hard plastics exhibit similar strength and durability to conventional plastics found in household appliances and car interiors, all while being recyclable and biodegradable in soil.

While bioplastics are gaining traction, they still represent only about 0.5% of the more than 400 million tonnes of plastic manufactured annually. This limitation is largely because bioplastics often lack the mechanical strength of many petroleum-based varieties and are not easily accommodated in standard production methods.

Recently, Dr. Dawei Zhao from Shenyang University of Chemical Technology in China has pioneered a technique for creating plastics from cellulose extracted from bamboo. This innovative approach can match or even exceed the properties of many commonly used plastics.

“Bamboo grows quickly, making it an exceptionally renewable resource and a viable substitute for traditional wood, yet its current applications are mostly confined to woven products,” Zhao noted.

Zhao’s team initially treated bamboo with zinc chloride and simple acid to dismantle strong chemical bonds, resulting in a mixture of smaller cellulose molecules. These molecules are then reorganized into a robust, hardened plastic.

The resulting material’s toughness is on par with standard engineering plastics (the strong varieties used in automotive, household, and construction applications). Dr. Andrew Dove from the University of Birmingham, UK, commented on the study.

Plastic sheet made from bamboo

Dawei Zhao

However, its strength means potential applications remain underutilized. “This doesn’t compete with primary plastics used in packaging like polyethylene or polypropylene,” Dove remarked. “Nevertheless, while it primarily targets smaller engineering plastics, it could ease some concerns regarding the sourcing of existing materials in that field.”

Although it is not as economical as the most common plastics, Zhao and his group found that the bamboo-based plastic can be fully recycled while retaining 90% of its original strength, offering a more appealing economic proposition. It’s also noteworthy that while it doesn’t quite match the scrutiny that other biodegradable plastics endure, it decomposes within 50 days.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Street lights can cause tree leaves to become more durable, making them less palatable for insects to consume.

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Artificial lighting at night can affect tree leaves

Shutterstock/Patrick Kosmider

Urban trees lit by streetlights tend to have tougher leaves and be less eaten by insects than those that spend the dark nights, a pattern the researchers say could disrupt the flow of energy up the food chain and have negative effects on urban biodiversity.

Zhang Shuang Zhang and his colleagues at the Chinese Academy of Sciences studied the Japanese five-story pagoda (Styphnolobium japonicum) and Green Ash (AshBeijing’s street trees appear to be relatively free of insect damage compared to other trees in the city.

The researchers collected around 5,500 leaves from 180 trees at 30 locations in Beijing, including near the distinctive orange glow of sodium streetlights and in dark areas at night, and measured the leaves’ size, firmness, moisture content, and nutrient levels. They also recorded any evidence of insect damage.

Leaves taken from under streetlights were stronger and less affected by insects: for Chinese sophora trees, 2.1% of leaves were damaged in the lit areas and 5.3% in the dark, while for ash trees, 2% of leaves were damaged near streetlights and 4.1% in the dark.

The researchers couldn’t answer that question, but they did say in their paper that with fewer leaves for insects to eat, less energy flows up the food chain to insects and birds, which could have a knock-on effect of further reducing biodiversity.

The researchers acknowledge that the mechanisms by which leaf damage is reduced are still unclear and require further investigation — for example, increased light could make insects more visible to predators, reducing their numbers and their impact on trees.

Owen Lewis The Oxford University researcher says the study is intriguing but doesn’t prove causation, and he suggests future studies should take plants from areas with and without street lighting, place them in a controlled environment, and observe the insects’ behavior to see whether they prefer trees that grow in dark conditions.

Lewis also notes that measuring herbivores is complicated. Heavy damage can mean leaves are less nutritious, forcing insects to eat more of them. Holes caused by insect damage can also get bigger as leaves get bigger, he says.

“My intuition is that this may be a fairly subtle effect,” he says. “In central Beijing, the impact of light pollution on insect feeding will be more pronounced as urbanization progresses.” [the area is]”It’s probably trivial how much pollution there is, how much semi-natural habitat there is, etc. It’s important, but it’s probably not the main threat to insect diversity and ecosystem function.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Review of Nothing Ear (a): Affordable, Compact, and Durable Earphones

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Tech company Nothing’s latest low-cost Bluetooth earphones offer great sound and noise cancellation at an even more competitive price, while still standing out from the crowd with their cool design.

The London-based company has launched the affordable £99 (€99/$99) Ear (a), which retains almost everything great about its previous Nothing earphones. That’s £30 cheaper than its predecessor and the new £129 (€149/$149) Ear, which lets you customize the sound and adds a few more features.

Ear (a) maintains the same shape as its predecessor, but with an infusion of color to make it more vibrant. The fit and finish remain excellent, and the company’s transparent design showcases some of the internal workings.




The Nothing earphones manage to stand out from the crowd despite their AirPod-like shape. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Stalks features the same playback, noise canceling, and volume squeeze controls as its predecessor. These are customizable and work really well by pinching once, twice, or thrice, or by squeezing and holding the stem. However, the double squeeze and hold gesture required some practice to master consistently.

The earbuds’ bodies and silicone tips provide a comfortable and secure fit for long listening sessions. The battery offers 5-6 hours of playtime and can be recharged an additional 3 times with the case.

The Ear (a)’s case is also compact, similar in size to industry leaders like Apple’s AirPods, and fits snugly into the watch pocket of jeans. It features USB-C charging, foregoing Qi wireless charging for a smaller form factor.




The flip-top case has a clear lid that makes it easy to slip into your pocket, but the glossy plastic base is prone to scratches. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

specification

  • water resistance: IP54 (splash proof)

  • Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3 (SBC, AAC, LDAC)

  • Battery life: 5.5 hours with ANC (24.5 hours with case)

  • Earphone dimensions: 30.9×21.7×24.3mm

  • Earphone weight: 4.8g each

  • Driver size: 11mm

  • Charging case dimensions: 47.6×63.3×22.7mm

  • Charging case weight: 39.6g

  • Case charging: USB-C

Great sound for the price




The Nothing X app for Android and iPhone shows battery life, updates, controls, and customize sounds. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

The earbuds support Bluetooth 5.3 and have multi-point capability, allowing you to connect two devices simultaneously for easy switching. They support SBC and AAC Bluetooth audio formats as well as the high-quality LDAC, common on Android devices.

Nothing continues to deliver superior sound quality compared to its competitors at this price point. The Ear (a) is well-rounded in its sound profile and closely resembles its pricier Ear counterpart. It handles complex tracks effortlessly and offers a wide and expansive soundstage. While it delivers deep bass, there is also ample treble detail.

With the new bass enhancement feature, you can immediately experience more bass. This feature has 5 levels and can be adjusted in the Nothing X app along with the basic equalizer settings.

The noise cancellation is effective, particularly at maximum setting, in dampening out commute noises and office chatter. It performs well with high-pitched sounds and offers improved handling of keyboard clicks and voices compared to its predecessor. The ambient sound mode is one of the best available, and call quality in various environments is decent, albeit slightly artificial-sounding.

sustainability




Various internal parts are visible through the transparent shell, but cannot be accessed or repaired. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

The earbuds and case batteries are designed to retain at least 80% of their original capacity after 500 full charge cycles. Out-of-warranty replacement cases or earbuds cost £39.99 each, but the earbuds are not repairable and ultimately disposable.

Despite containing recycled tin, Nothing does not offer trade-in programs for its audio products or publish environmental impact assessments. The earbuds have an estimated carbon footprint of 2.72kg.

price

Nothing Ear (a) is priced at £99 (€99/$99), available in three colors, and shipping from April 22nd.

For comparison, the Ear costs £129, the Fairphone Fairbuds costs £129, OnePlus Buds Pro 2 is priced at £179, Google Pixel Buds Pro at £199, and Apple AirPods Pro 2 at £229.

verdict

The Ear (a) has set a new standard for quality in the low-end market. At just £99, it offers better sound and noise cancellation than most rivals, and has an interesting-looking transparent design.

The earbuds perform well, provide a comfortable fit, have good controls, support multipoint Bluetooth, and offer solid battery life. The new, smaller, more pocket-friendly case is a clear improvement over previous Nothing earphones. While it may lack advanced features like a full equalizer or spatial audio support, for top-notch audio quality and noise cancellation, it’s a great value. However, to enhance everyday user experience further, a larger investment may be necessary.

The major drawback is the non-replaceable batteries in the earbuds and cases, making them disposable in the long run. Fairbud has shown it’s possible to have replaceable components, prompting others to follow suit.

Strong Points: Great value, interesting design, great sound and noise cancellation for the price, comfortable fit, great call quality, stable controls, multipoint, Bluetooth 5.3 with cross-platform apps.

Cons: Disposable, case easily scratched, no head-tracking spatial audio support, no future-proof LC3 or Auracast support.




The Ear (a) is a great set of affordable earbuds that beat the competition in sound and noise cancellation and have a standout design. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Source: www.theguardian.com