The Pixel 10 Pro Fold won’t look very different if you place it next to last year’s Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Besides Google’s AI chops, there is not much of an overhaul at first glance. However, this is the first foldable to receive an IP68 rating, and that counts for something.
Ever since companies started launching foldables, durability has been the prime concern for users. The longevity of hinges, protection of the inner screen, and resistance of these devices against liquid and sand are always big considerations when buying a foldable as compared to a slab phone.
Google’s Pixel 10 Pro Fold is the company’s attempt at alleviating those worries. The device closely resembles its predecessor, but there are a few key changes that make the phone sturdier.
First is a new gearless hinge, which adds a bit of resistance to folding and unfolding the phone. Because of the new hinge, there is very little gap when the phone is folded. This ensures that fewer dust particles and other debris can get inside and potentially damage the screen. While I didn’t get the phone in any sand, I kept it in my bag and my pocket multiple times to see if lint from either place had any effect. However, the phone continued functioning as usual.
I didn’t submerge the phone in water, either. Still, having IP68 protection means that the phone should withstand dust and water better than its predecessor.
Apart from the sturdiness upgrade, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold gained a new Tensor G5 processor. While it’s fine for most day-to-day tasks, as my experience suggests, there is some discussion about how it doesn’t perform as well as some other processors in benchmark tests.
Other hardware changes in the 10 Pro Fold involve a bigger battery than last year, which is a welcome change. Plus, the phone has a brighter screen, so it’s easier to use outside in the daylight. One notable thing about the display is that the bezel around the screen is much thicker than what I have seen on other recent phones, including both foldables and slab phones.
Bezels are thick, and Lucy agrees with it. Image Credits: Ivan Mehta
Since this is a Pixel phone, Google added a number of AI features to the software. These additions include Magic Cue, which surfaces snippets and suggestions based on screenshots and data from apps like Maps, Gmail, Messages, and Keep. You also get call translation, Gemini Live with video view, and a camera coach to guide you to take photos. (These features are already present on the Pixel 10 Pro, and you can read more about how they work here.)
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