Reviewed: The Pixel 10 Pro Fold is radically different to the competition – for better and worse

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Last year’s Pixel 9 Pro Fold made a significant impact, and now the Pixel 10 Pro Fold sticks closely to its established design. At first glance, the two models might appear quite similar, barring the new color options.

However, beneath its familiar exterior, the latest Pixel foldable hosts significant updates. In line with the entire Pixel 10 series, it features Pixelsnap magnet technology, the Tensor G5 chipset, and new software functionalities. Users will also find an upgraded battery, faster charging, improved durability, and brighter screens.

It’s important to note that the Pixel 10 Pro Fold enters a much different market compared to last year’s model. The impressive Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Honor’s impactful Magic V5 have raised the bar. Can the Pixel stand its ground? Let’s delve in.

Design & Build Quality

• Aluminum chassis, glass back
• Weight: 258g, features Gorilla Glass Victus 2
• IP68 certification for dust and water resistance

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold’s design remains very similar to its predecessor. The dimensions are largely unchanged, camera placements are consistent, and the materials used are comparable, with color options being the main differentiator.

It is currently offered in Moonstone or Jade, which correspond to shades of greyish-purple and light green, respectively. Having the Moonstone variant for testing, I was immediately struck by its pleasing aesthetics. The smooth glass back is resistant to fingerprints, and the color-matched matte aluminum edges complement the polished hinge finish.

While other brands have been reducing their dimensions, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold has become slightly thicker compared to its predecessor.

Despite slight increases in thickness and weight, this design change enables Google to include additional magnets and a larger battery.

Adopting technology similar to Apple’s MagSafe, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold incorporates Pixelsnap technology, allowing compatibility with a variety of accessories without the need for a dedicated case.

While innovation is appreciated, users who have used third-party magnetic cases may find this feature less revolutionary, but it does provide the option of using the device without a protective case for those willing to take the risk.

In terms of robustness, Google takes pride in achieving a noteworthy milestone—it is the first foldable phone to receive an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. While it appears that many foldables are water-resistant, most have limited dust protection. The Pixel aims to elevate that standard.

It is the first foldable device to achieve an IP68 rating!

Having experienced the sturdiness of the previous model, this iteration feels equally robust. The hinge mechanism remains impressive and has been enhanced, making it one of the best in the market.

Conversely, the previous Pixel 9 Pro Fold has begun to feel hefty and somewhat antiquated when compared to its competition. Unfortunately, this trend continues with the latest iteration, which feels bulkier.

Display & Audio

• Cover Screen: 6.4 inches, 1080 x 2364, OLED, 120Hz
• Main Display: 8 inches, 2076 x 2152, OLED, 120Hz
• Stereo audio system

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold features a slightly enlarged cover screen that now measures 6.4 inches, up from the previous 6.3-inch display. Although a side-by-side comparison is lacking, the increase is likely due to reduced bezels.

The bezels, however, remain the thickest among flagship foldables available, which can be charming in its cartoonish aesthetic, yet slimmer bezels would provide a more modern look.

Inside, the foldable display continues to measure 8 inches diagonally, maintaining its position among the largest book-style foldable displays. Regrettably, the crease remains prominent and more noticeable than the latest offerings from Samsung and Honor.

The edge on the inner display also continues to be noticeably thick, which can be advantageous, providing a grip point that does not accidentally trigger touch controls.

The selfie camera cutout is precisely placed in the upper right corner, allowing for uninterrupted 16:9 video content, regardless of orientation while using the device.

The displays are slightly more luminous this generation, able to reach peak brightness levels of 3000 nits compared to 2700 on the prior model. While brightness previously was satisfactory, the additional intensity is welcome.

Regarding audio performance, it appears unchanged, providing decent loudness and clarity, although the speaker placement may cause some issues when held horizontally due to palm obstruction.

Specifications & Performance

• Powered by Google Tensor G5 chipset
• Includes 16GB of RAM
• Available in 256GB / 512GB / 1TB storage options

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold steps up with Google’s latest Tensor G5 chip, a 3nm architecture that ostensibly offers around 34% enhanced performance compared to its predecessor. When handling local AI tasks, such as in the Google Recorder app, improvements extend up to 2.6x faster speeds and double the efficiency.

The performance in both CPU and GPU comparisons is significantly improved.

Benchmarks reflect the advances made in both CPU and GPU performance, though a noticeable gap persists between Tensor chips and the industry leaders from Qualcomm and MediaTek.

For most everyday tasks—like browsing social media, document editing, or camera usage—most users won’t notice a significant difference in performance among flagship hats. The generous 16GB of RAM ensures smooth multitasking, even with multiple apps open.

However, heavy gamers or video editors may notice performance variances. While playing demanding games like Wuthering Waves at maximum settings, the Pixel can manage gameplay, but frame rate consistency falls short of devices powered by Snapdragon 8 Elite.

While gaming is doable, users may encounter occasional performance hitches. The device heats up noticeably, especially near the camera area. Shifting the grip to the cover screen area allows for better heat management.

Less demanding games perform flawlessly on the Pixel; however, avid gamers may seek out Snapdragon alternatives.

Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold

Camera System

• 48 Mp f/1.7 main camera
• 10.8 Mp f/3.1 5x telephoto
• 10.5 Mp f/2.2 ultrawide
• Dual 10 Mp f/2.2 selfie cameras

<pThe camera hardware in the Pixel 10 Pro Fold mirrors that of its predecessor, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, with the exception of a minor upgrade to the selfie cameras. As a photography enthusiast, I found this lacking given the competitive landscape where camera technology is evolving rapidly. The sensors seem to stall at around 10Mp, which raises concerns for a device priced nearly at two grand.

Despite the limitations, part of the Pixel’s charm lies in its image processing capabilities and software enhancements, which don’t heavily rely on hardware specifications. For those not overly particular with their photo quality, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold can produce quite appealing images.

If you aren’t very selective about your photos, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold can deliver attractive shots.

Performance peaks during daylight; in low-light situations, it’s advisable to stick to the main sensor. The other lenses tend to suffer from blurriness and excessive denoising, diminishing finer details.

While I enjoy exploring the 5x telephoto capabilities, I recently reviewed the Xiaomi 15T Pro and found its 5x offering significantly superior. The Pixel’s telephoto struggles with close-ups, which limits its long-range capabilities compared to competitors using 50Mp sensors for minimal loss at zoom.

Portrait mode also has its share of restrictions—it allows only the main sensor for usage, while others facilitate telephoto selection. The enforced cropping to 1.5x or 2x seems arbitrary and perhaps avoidable with updates.

What sets the Pixel camera system apart is its collection of intuitive software features.

Included in the camera application are tools such as Camera Coach for aesthetic guidance and Auto Best Take to ensure the best expression in group shots by merging several captures. There’s also an AI-driven image editing tool allowing edits based on natural language input, though it’s currently limited to US users. It can perform tasks like “eliminate the window reflection” or “remove the stain from my shirt.”

Although these features might not intrigue professional photographers, they provide value for casual users who may benefit from simplified options.

Battery Performance & Charging

• 5015 mAh battery capacity
• 30W wired charging capability
• 15W wireless charging supported

Featuring a 5015mAh battery—an enhancement of 365mAh over its predecessor—and positioned significantly above the 4400mAh in the Galaxy Z Fold 7, the new battery, coupled with the efficient Tensor G5 chip, promises improved longevity.

In standard PCMark tests, the 10 Pro Fold achieved a survival time of 13 hours and 1 minute, marking a substantial increase from the Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s 9 hours and 18 minutes. Still, it trails behind the Z Fold 6 which managed 15:34.

The battery life impresses, easily lasting a day with typical use patterns.

This benchmark evaluation aligns well with my experiences in daily use, indicating solid battery performance that comfortably supported my usage patterns, which included utilizing both screens frequently and frequent photography.

However, it’s not exceedingly impressive, requiring more frequent charging compared to using the Z Fold 7 for day-to-day activities.

For charging, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold supports a maximum of 30W wired and 15W wireless charging. This is a step up from the previous version’s 21W wired and 7.5W wireless capabilities.

As usual, the device does not include a charger, just a cable. However, a compatible wall adapter can replenish the device from empty to over 50% charge within half an hour. While a commendable rate, the final percentage is slower to fill; completing a full cycle takes approximately an hour and a half.

Software & Applications

• Running on Android 16
• Features new AI-powered functions
• Sustains 7 years of software support

Software remains a cornerstone of the Pixel experience, and if an unaltered Android interface is what you seek, this is the only foldable to fulfill that need.

Devices from Samsung, Honor and Oppo all implement heavily modified Android systems that diverge significantly from stock. Google stands alone in delivering the Pixel experience on an expansive screen.

The new features first introduced with the Pixel 10 series are also present in the Fold. Expect functionalities such as Material 3 Expressive customisation, updated Gemini capabilities, including video generation powered by Veo 3, and Magic Cue, which uses artificial intelligence to extract data from Google applications. Consistently, it boasts the same amount of seven years of software support and security updates as other models in the lineup.

Features introduced with the Pixel 10 series are also applicable to the Fold.

<pFor more in-depth explanations about those features, you can check out our reviews of the Pixel 10, 10 Pro, and 10 Pro XL. To avoid redundancy, the focus here is solely on exclusive Fold features, and it’s clear that numerous AI tools have been integrated, many of which are quite practical. A year of Google AI Pro subscription is included, granting immediate access to the latest features.

The Fold introduces Instant View in the camera application, which utilizes a portion of the large inner display to preview photos as they are being captured. This feature proved valuable, allowing users to verify image clarity and composition before taking another shot.

Another included tool, Made You Look which also debuted on the 9 Pro Fold, has been refined to provide more animation options. This feature presents colorful caricatures on the outer screen designed to capture children’s attention (or pets), while utilizing AI to detect smiling faces, prompting the animated characters to react.

Implementing this feature works remarkably well, ensuring kids remain captivated, which effectively aids in capturing delightful photographs. That said, the front camera is used for these photos instead of the main rear camera, resulting in decent quality but less optimal performance in low-light settings.

Standard features like split-screen multitasking and drag-and-drop capabilities between applications enhance the usability of the larger display. While Google’s approach appears more basic than competitor offerings, it maintains a user-friendly intuitiveness that meets most users’ needs.

A couple of unique game integrations utilize the foldable hardware effectively.

Several gaming integrations optimize the folds by enabling split-view and dual-screen modes for titles such as Asphalt Legends and Disney Speedstorm.

This design separates gameplay across the hinge, placing racing action above while maps and controls reside below, plus adding extra coverage on the outer screen with tap-able back controls akin to game triggers.

While this is a creative implementation, its practicality is limited in its current state. With luck, this marks the beginning of a slew of titles designed explicitly for foldable devices, but don’t hold your breath just yet.

Additionally, an enticing aspect of the 10 Pro Fold is its software update support. Google pledges to provide updates for seven years, making it a frontrunner when it comes to new Android versions and upholding the smoothest software experience among Android devices.

Pricing & Availability

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold starts at £1749/$1799 for the 256GB model, maintaining pricing consistency with its predecessor. The 512GB option goes for £1869/$1919, while the 1TB variant is priced at £2099/$2149. Each configuration comes equipped with 16GB of RAM.

Though the Pixel 10 Pro Fold launched later than the rest of the Pixel 10 series, it is now accessible in most regions worldwide. Customers can purchase it through Google’s official store, through retailers like Amazon, or through major carriers on contract.

Positioned as a high-end device, the base model is slightly more affordable than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, yet it comes in slightly pricier than the Honor Magic V5. The latter also provides more storage options, particularly in its exclusive 512GB configuration.

Explore further options in our comprehensive guide to the top foldable phones.

Should You Consider the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold?

My thoughts on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold are quite varied. Its usability is commendable, and I particularly appreciate its robust construction. It also boasts standout features not commonly found in other foldable devices, such as the IP68 rating for dust and water resistance and embedded magnets.

However, the primary concern lies with the competition. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 significantly outperforms this phone across various categories, being slimmer, lighter, with a less pronounced crease, better processing power, and superior camera capabilities.

Given its bulkier design, thick bezels, and outdated camera technology, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold struggles to keep pace. If you’re an admirer of Google’s integrated features and interface and prioritize dust resistance, this could be your pick. Otherwise, I’d lean toward the Samsung.

Specifications

• Operating System: Android 16
• Cover: 6.4-inch, 1080 x 2364, OLED, 120Hz
• Main: 8-inch, 2076 x 2152, OLED, 120Hz
• Fingerprint reader on power button
• Processor: Tensor G5
• RAM: 16GB
• Storage options: 256GB / 512GB / 1TB
• Camera configuration:
• 48Mp main lens
• 10.5Mp ultrawide lens
• 10.8Mp 5x telephoto lens
• Dual 10Mp selfie cameras
• Video capabilities: Up to 4K @ 60fps for rear
• Audio: Stereo sound
• SIM options: Dual-SIM + eSIM
• Wi-Fi: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7 standards
• Bluetooth: 6.0 compatible
• Battery: 5015mAh capacity
• Charger: 30W wired and 15W wireless supported
• Dimensions: 155.2 x 76.3 x 10.8 mm (when folded)
• Certification: IP68 rated
• Weight: 258g
• Available colors: Moonstone, Jade