The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold is the latest addition to its foldable lineup, promising durability, cutting-edge AI, and a folding experience that rivals its competitors. But does it deliver on all promises, or is it just another iteration with minor refinements? Let’s find out!
- Price: From S$2,399, get it at Shopee, Lazada and Google Store
- Inner screen: 8 inches, 2,076 x 2,152 pixels
- Outer screen: 6.4 inches, 1,080 x 2,364 pixels
- Processor: Google Tensor G5
- Rear Cameras: 48 MP, f/1.7 (wide); 10.8 MP, f/3.1 (telephoto), 5x optical zoom; 10.5 MP, f/2.2 (ultra-wide)
- Selfie camera: 10MP, f/2,2 (wide)
- Cover camera: 10MP, f/2.2 (wide)
- Weight: 258g
| PROS | CONS |
| First foldable with IP68 dust and water resistance | Expensive |
| Durable gear-less hinge | Thicker and heavier than competitors |
| Great multitasking on the 8-inch inner display | Cameras cannot match Pixel 10 Pro XL |
| Excellent AI features like Magic Cue | Battery life can be better |
| Decent cameras | |
| Seven years of OS and security updates |
If there is just one headline feature of the Pixel 10 Pro Fold to talk about, it will be durability. This is the first foldable phone to achieve an IP68 rating, making it dust- and water-resistant (down to depths of 1.5m for 30 mins). This is a significant step forward for foldable smartphones. Samsung’s latest Galaxy Z Fold7, by comparison, has a lower IP48 rating. That said, it is still not advisable to throw the Pixel 10 Pro Fold into the sand or dunk it in water. The phone did survive the constant rain of Taipei when I was there for vacation.
In addition, Google has ditched the traditional gear-based hinge mechanism, opting for a gear-less hinge made from multi-alloy steel with an aerospace-grade aluminium alloy cover. This gear-less hinge is said to enhance durability. However, the durability comes at the cost of portability.
At 258g, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is heavier than competitors like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 (215g) or the Honor Magic V5 (217g). The Pro Fold’s thickness when folded (10.8mm) also makes it feel chunkier, especially when compared to its competitors’ sleek design (less than 9mm thin).
While the wider aspect ratio of the cover display makes typing easier, the device’s heft might be a dealbreaker for users prioritising portability. But for me, I will gladly accept the extra thickness and weight if it means the phone is more durable. Not to mention, the thickness actually meant I can pry open and unfold the Pixel 10 Pro Fold easier compared to those thinner foldable smartphones.
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold features a 6.4-inch outer OLED screen and an 8-inch inner OLED screen, both with a 120Hz refresh rate. The brighter displays are a welcome upgrade, with the cover screen reaching up to 1,180 nits of brightness. The dynamic refresh rate is well-implemented, offering a smooth experience across various usage scenarios.
The unfolded 8-inch display is a boon for multitasking with its intuitive split screen feature, allowing you to quickly put two apps side by side. You can even drag and drop documents from one app to another this way.
In addition, for some supported games like Asphalt Legends, you can use one half of the inner screen for controls, and the other half to see where your car is going.
However, the inner screen still struggles with visibility under direct sunlight due to its protective film. Also, the crease on the folding display remains pretty visible, unlike its competitors that have reduced the crease.
Under the hood, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is powered by Google’s Tensor G5 chip, manufactured on TSMC’s 3-nanometer process. While the chip offers solid day-to-day performance and excellent efficiency, it doesn’t quite compete with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon series in raw power when it comes to gaming, especially for graphics-intensive games like Genshin Impact and even Asphalt Legends.
That said, for most, the clean Android 16 experience ensure smooth multitasking and responsive performance. Google leans heavily into AI with the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. For instance, Magic Cue, a contextual assistant, is a standout feature. It provides timely information by pulling data from Google apps—like suggesting your flight details in a conversation or offering restaurant recommendations based on your browsing.
However, its functionality is limited to Google’s ecosystem, leaving popular third-party apps like WhatsApp and Telegram unsupported. Other AI features, like Auto Best Take for group photos, add value to the user experience. Furthermore, you get 7 years of OS and security updates.
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold retains the same camera setup as its predecessor, with a 48-megapixel (MP) main wide-angle camera, 10.5MP ultra-wide camera, and 10.8MP 5x telephoto lens. While the cameras perform admirably for a foldable, they fall short of its cousin Pixel 10 Pro XL, which boasts superior sensors. The 5x telephoto lens offers great zoom capabilities, but detail can suffer in low-light conditions.
Thankfully, Google’s computational photography shines in night mode, delivering excellent results even in challenging lighting. Overall, the cameras are pretty good for a foldable smartphone but not exceptional for a device in this price range.
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold packs a 5,015mAh battery, which is respectable but not class-leading. Battery life varies significantly depending on usage. On lighter days, the phone can last up to 40 hours, but heavy use of the inner screen on 5G can drain it within 28 hours.
In other words, I think you will probably want to charge the phone when you go to bed. The device supports 30W wired charging and 15W Qi2 wireless charging, though it does not come with a charger in the box.
VERDICT: The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold is a solid foldable that pushes the boundaries of durability and AI integration. But it is not without its flaws. However, for those who value Google’s seamless Android experience, convenient AI features, and a device that feels both like a phone and a tablet, the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold is a great choice.