Google’s foldable game just leveled up with the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, has officially hit the shelves after preorders kicked off in late August. Priced at $1,799 for the 256GB base model (up to $2,199 for 1TB), this slab-bender arrives amid a crowded 2025 landscape where Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 reigns slim and multitasking supreme, while OnePlus Open 2 tempts gamers with Snapdragon speed. Powered by the new Tensor G5 chip and boasting the first IP68-rated foldable design, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold prioritizes durability, AI smarts, and Google ecosystem polish over raw thinness. It’s an iterative glow-up from the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, but does it fold into the elite or crease under pressure? We break down the specs, standout features, and its spot in the evolving foldable wars.
Design and Build: Durability First, Slimness Second
Google calls this its “most durable foldable yet,” and the engineering backs it up. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold sports a gearless hinge that’s twice as robust as last year’s (rated for over 10 years of daily folds), allowing a full 180-degree flat open without gaps or wobbles. Crafted from aerospace-grade aluminum in Moonstone (soft white) or Jade (deep green), it measures 154.9 x 76.2 x 10.1mm folded (258g) and unfolds to 154.9 x 149.8 x 5.1mm. That’s a tad thicker than rivals like the Z Fold 7 (5.6mm unfolded), but the matte frame and grippy buttons make it feel premium and pocketable.
Key innovations include IP68 water and dust resistance—a foldable first, matching non-fold Pixels—and reengineered Super Actua Flex displays with ultra-thin glass plus two anti-impact film layers for better drop protection. No more visible gap when closed; magnets snap it shut securely. Qi2 wireless charging with Pixelsnap magnets adds accessory perks, like a stand for hands-free streaming. Downsides? The off-center camera bump causes minor rocking on tables, and the hinge feels stiffer out of the box than Samsung’s effortless flick.
Display: Bigger Screens for Multitasking Mastery
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold’s screens are its canvas for productivity and binge-watching. The outer 6.4-inch OLED (1080 x 2364, 60-120Hz, 3,000 nits peak) shrinks bezels from the 6.3-inch on the 9 Pro Fold, making it more usable for quick glances or gaming controllers in titles like Asphalt Legends. Unfold to the hero 8-inch LTPO inner display (2,076 x 2,152, 1-120Hz, 3,000 nits, 373ppi)—the largest on a foldable—optimized for Netflix and Disney+ with HDR10+ support and reduced crease visibility (though still noticeable up close).
Foldable tweaks shine: Split Screen lets you resize apps on the fly, Drag and Drop moves files seamlessly, and a floating taskbar pairs apps for efficiency. It’s no Samsung-level wizardry (no three-app multitasking or flexible windows), but Google’s clean Android 16 UI feels snappier for daily workflows.
Performance and AI: Tensor G5’s Balanced Brain
Under the hood, the custom Tensor G5 SoC (with 16GB RAM and UFS 4.0 storage up to 1TB) delivers marginal speed bumps over the G4: quicker app launches and cooler operation under load (20% less throttling). Benchmarks trail Snapdragon 8 Elite flagships (Geekbench single-core ~3,000 vs. 3,700), but real-world multitasking and UI responsiveness hold up, thanks to Android 16’s Material You theming and seven years of updates through 2032.
AI is where Google flexes: Gemini Live for natural chats, Magic Cue for music discovery, Daily Hub for personalized briefs, Add Me (AI group photo inserts), Best Take (swaps expressions), and Pixel Screenshots (smart search in captures). Foldable exclusives like Dual Screen Preview (mirror selfies on both panels), Tabletop Mode (propped-up video calls), and Instant View (quick photo previews for retakes) make it a creator’s toy. Gaming? The outer display now supports controllers for smoother play, though the PowerVR GPU hiccups in some engines.
Connectivity rounds out with Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, mmWave/sub-6 5G, UWB for precise finding, and USB-C 3.2. A physical SIM slot is a nice touch amid eSIM trends.
Battery and Charging: All-Day Fold Endurance
The 5,015mAh battery (up 365mAh from the 9 Pro Fold) promises 30+ hours of mixed use, impressive for an 8-inch beast but heavy inner-screen sessions drain it faster, leaving slim margins for power users. Wired charging hits 30W (50% in 30 minutes, full in ~80), while 15W Qi2 wireless is a welcome upgrade (from slower MagSafe-like speeds). It’s no 100W Xiaomi blitz, but Pixelsnap accessories (like a magnetic stand) keep it practical.
Camera System: Solid Snaps with Foldable Flair
The triple rear array remains largely unchanged: 48MP main (f/1.7, 1/2-inch sensor with OIS for sharp, dynamic shots), 10.5MP ultrawide/macro (f/2.2, 1/3.4-inch for landscapes and close-ups), and 10.8MP 5x telephoto (f/3.1, 1/3.2-inch for zoomed portraits). Dual 10.5MP selfie cams (f/2.2) handle both screens adequately, but Rear Camera Selfie mode (using the main array with outer display as viewfinder) delivers superior quality—though the grip is awkward.
AI elevates it: Super Res Zoom to 20x, Camera Coach for tips, and C2PA labeling for edited shots. Night Sight is quick for motion, but low-light lags flat Pixels due to the smaller sensor. For foldables, Made You Look widgets and split-screen galleries add fun, but it doesn’t outshoot Leica-tuned Xiaomi 17 Fold or Samsung’s versatile setup.
Where It Fits in the 2025 Foldable Landscape
In a year where foldables slim down and AI blooms, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold slots as the “thinking person’s folder”—prioritizing software purity and durability over featherweight flair. It edges the Pixel 9 Pro Fold with better battery, charging, IP68, and a less creased screen, but feels iterative at the same $1,799 price.
Against the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 ($1,999): Google’s hinge durability and AI (e.g., Gemini vs. Galaxy AI) win for creators, but Samsung’s thinner 5.6mm unfolded profile, Snapdragon 8 Elite speed, and superior multitasking (three apps, resizable windows) make it the productivity king. Pixel’s cameras hold steady, but Z Fold’s hardware edges in zoom and low-light.
The OnePlus Open 2 (~$1,699) tempts gamers with 165Hz displays and raw Snapdragon power for 120fps marathons, outpacing Tensor’s occasional stutters. Vivo X Fold 4 and Oppo Find N4 push ultra-thin (4.5mm unfolded) and leather backs, but lack Google’s seven-year updates.
At $1,799, the Pixel appeals to ecosystem loyalists craving a big-screen Pixel experience without bloatware. It’s not the thinnest or fastest, but its IP68 toughness and AI depth make it a safe, future-proof pick in a segment still maturing—shipments up 25% YoY, per IDC.
| Feature | Pixel 10 Pro Fold | Galaxy Z Fold 7 | OnePlus Open 2 | Pixel 9 Pro Fold |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inner Display | 8″ LTPO OLED (2,076×2,152, 1-120Hz) | 7.6″ Dynamic AMOLED (2,160×1,856, 1-120Hz) | 7.8″ LTPO AMOLED (2,440×2,268, 1-120Hz) | 8″ LTPO OLED (2,208×2,440, 1-120Hz) |
| Outer Display | 6.4″ OLED (1,080×2,364, 60-120Hz) | 6.3″ Dynamic AMOLED (2,600×2,124, 1-120Hz) | 6.3″ LTPO AMOLED (2,772×1,240, 1-120Hz) | 6.3″ OLED (2,424×1,080, 60-120Hz) |
| Processor/RAM | Tensor G5 / 16GB | Snapdragon 8 Elite / 12-16GB | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 / 16GB | Tensor G4 / 16GB |
| Battery/Charging | 5,015mAh / 30W wired, 15W Qi2 | 4,400mAh / 25W wired, 15W wireless | 4,805mAh / 67W wired, 50W wireless | 4,650mAh / 21W wired, 7.5W wireless |
| Cameras (Main Setup) | 48MP wide + 10.5MP UW + 10.8MP 5x tele | 50MP wide + 12MP UW + 10MP 3x tele | 48MP wide + 48MP UW + 64MP 3x tele | 48MP wide + 10.5MP UW + 10.8MP 5x tele |
| Durability | IP68, gearless hinge (10+ yrs) | IP48, gearless hinge | IPX4, waterdrop hinge | IPX8, geared hinge |
| Price (Base) | $1,799 | $1,999 | $1,699 | $1,799 |
| Unique Edge | AI depth, 7-yr updates | Multitasking, thin design | Gaming speed, value | Similar AI, but less durable |
Verdict: Fold into Google’s World, If You Dare
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold isn’t reinventing the fold; it’s refining it for Google die-hards who want a durable, AI-packed portal to the ecosystem. Battery and hinge wins make it a step up from 2024’s model, but in a landscape chasing sub-6mm thinness and Snapdragon fury, it trails Samsung’s polish and OnePlus’ value. At $1,799, it’s a smart pick for multitaskers ditching laptops, but casual folders might wait for Pixel 11’s bolder swings.
