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Title: Pixel 10 Pro Fold hands-on: Forget thinness, Google is going hard on
durability

Date: Wed, 20 Aug 2025 16:00:18 +0000
Link: https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/p...

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold was a revelation. Not only did Google switch to a
simpler design while adding a larger main display, the company caught up to
Samsung's long-running foldable line in just two generations. However, for
its third go ΓÇö the Pixel 10 Pro Fold ΓÇö Google is opting for a different
strategy than weΓÇÖve seen recently on the Galaxy Z Fold 7.

Instead of focusing on thinness, Google may have just created the most rugged
foldable on the market. ThatΓÇÖs due in large part to the phoneΓÇÖs new IP68
rating. Now I will admit that certification might not sound like a huge deal
because non-flexy flagships have had this kind of durability for years. But
this is the first time any foldable has put both top-tier dust and water
resistance together in one device. And when you consider that these kinds of
gadgets are generally a bit more fragile than their glass-brick counterparts,
that means something.

Furthermore, Google says the Pixel 10 Pro FoldΓÇÖs (P10PF from here on out) 8-
inch Super Actua Flex display features a new titanium backplate that adds
extra rigidity while a more robust layer of ultra-thin glass provides
increased scratch resistance. On the outside, Google went with Gorilla Glass
Victus 2 in front and back while installing a new gearless hinge the company
claims is designed to handle more than 10 years of bending. Then to top
things off, Google equipped the P10PF with a larger 5,015mAh battery, which
is a significant jump up from the 4,650mAh cell in its predecessor.

Even with all these improvements, the P10PFΓÇÖs overall dimensions are almost
exactly the same as the previous model. Between its weight (9.1 ounces) and
thickness (10.8mm folded) though, GoogleΓÇÖs foldable is still rather chunky
compared SamsungΓÇÖs newly streamlined Z Fold 7 (8.9mm and 7.5 ounces).
Following the major redesign we got last year on the Pixel 9 Pro Fold,
getting another all-new, super sleek chassis for the P10PF probably wasnΓÇÖt
going to happen. But given the increased durability on this yearΓÇÖs phone,
IΓÇÖm willing to give Google another 12 months to combine this newfound
ruggedness with a thinner design. I just hope its engineers donΓÇÖt get
complacent and push things out further than that.

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

On the inside, the P10PF also boasts upgraded specs and performance with its
Tensor G5 chip leading the way. According to Google, its CPU features 34
percent better performance while its TPU fares even better with a 60 percent
jump over what we got from the Tensor G4. And just like the rest of the Pixel
10 family, the P10PF supports GoogleΓÇÖs Pixelsnap magnetic charging
ecosystem, which is fully compatible with the Qi2 protocol. So not only is
the Pixel 10 line the first batch of phones from a major Android OEM to
support Qi2, the P10PF is also the first foldable phone with this industry
standard. Wired charging speeds have increased slightly to 30 watts, but
unfortunately wireless charging is staying pat at 15W. Base memory is also
staying the same at 16GB of RAM, though there is a wider range of storage
options from 256GB to 1TB.

Some other small details I appreciate are the P10PFΓÇÖs slimmer bezels around
the outside of its exterior display. It makes the curved corner in the top
left look a lot less awkward and it allowed Google to increase its overall
size a touch to 6.4 inches across (up from 6.3). On top of that, both of its
displays are brighter too, topping out at 3,000 nits (up from 2,700 nits).

Aside from updated software and AI tools like Magic Cue and the Daily Hub,
all of which will be available across the Pixel 10 family, the P10PF is
getting two notable foldable-specific upgrades. The first is enhanced drag
and drop support that works in tandem with expanded split screen
functionality to improve multitasking and moving files between apps. That
said, as I was using demo devices that were essentially fresh out of the box,
it was difficult to tell how much of an impact this may have on everyday use.
The other addition is a new dual-pane layout for the P10PFΓÇÖs camera app,
which takes better advantage of the extra screen space you have when the
phone is unfolded. This allows you to see new photos as soon as you snap them
on the left while the viewfinder stays open on the right.

The biggest potential shortcoming of the P10PF is that its camera hardware is
largely staying the same. Granted, that's not a huge deal because the
previous model had the best photo quality of any foldable phone. But sadly,
because the P10PF doesn't have the same sensors as the Pixel 10 Pro and Pro
XL, this means the P10PF also wonΓÇÖt have access to GoogleΓÇÖs AI-powered
100x Pro Res Zoom or the ability to capture portrait shots in full
resolution. Unfortunately, when I asked if these features would be ported to
the P10PF in the future, a Google rep told me there are currently no concrete
plans to do so.

Here's how last year's Pixel 9 Pro Fold (left) compares in size to the new
Pixel 10 Pro Fold (right).Sam Rutherford for Engadget

In a lot of ways, it feels like Google is doing almost everything it can to
improve the Pixel 10 Pro Fold without completely redesigning it with a
thinner chassis. So if youΓÇÖre the type of person who can handle a little
extra junk in the trunk, thereΓÇÖs a lot to like about a foldable phone that
comes with more robust durability.

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold starts at $1,799 and is available for pre-order today
in two colors: jade and moonstone. However, there will be a bit of delay
until it actually arrives as official sales arenΓÇÖt slated to start until
October 9.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at
https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/p...
thinness-google-is-going-hard-on-durability-160018609.html?src=rss

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