The "1-Minute" Review
Verdict
A robust phone with impressive displays and standout water resistance, but it feels heavy and pricey.What's good
- Durable build
- IP68 rating
- Brighter displays
- Great battery life
- Pixelsnap charging
What's bad
- High price tag
- Bulky size
- Lacks standout features
- Camera underwhelming
- Performance lags
Design
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold impresses with its strong build, featuring an IP68 dust and water resistance—a first in foldable smartphones. Its new gearless hinge design ensures a more durable and long-lasting device.
Reviewers at TechRadar mentioned the phone's "nicer looking" exterior due to its rounded edges and refined design elements, despite being thicker than competitors.
However, some pointed out the added weight makes it less comfortable to hold for extended periods, compared to the thinner, lighter Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7.
Display(s)
On the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, you'll experience a stunning 8-inch inner screen that's a joy for binge-watching and reading. "The Pixel 10 Pro Fold outshines the Galaxy Z Fold 7 with a brighter OLED screen," one review notes.
The outer 6.4-inch screen is also bright and easy to type on, making it highly functional. Both screens maintain vivid clarity even under direct sunlight due to their high peak brightness.
Benefit from smooth scrolling with the 120Hz refresh rate, enhancing your interaction with apps and media. The robust display quality makes this foldable ideal for anyone needing a portable entertainment solution.
Performance
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold is powered by Google’s Tensor G5 chip, designed to excel in AI tasks, but it doesn't match the speed of rivals like the Snapdragon in gaming or graphic-heavy apps.
Reviewers like Tom's Guide confirmed that while "it's decently fast," the Pixel 10 Pro Fold struggles to keep up when running high-performance games or video editing.
The phone runs everyday apps effortlessly, but gamers and heavy multi-taskers might notice the occasional lag. For most tasks, you can enjoy its performance without major concerns.
Software & Storage
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold impresses with Google's latest take on Android 16, offering a smooth and polished interface experience. The user-friendly design makes everyday tasks like notifications and calls smoother and more intuitive.
Despite this, reviewers find that it falls short on utilizing its foldable display. There are reports of 'not enough Fold-specific features' and 'too many bugs', reducing the thrill of its expansive format.
Experts appreciate the seamless app transitions and AI features, but they hope for more enhancements tailored to the foldable's unique potential.
Cameras
Reviewers found the Pixel 10 Pro Fold's cameras disappointing, especially against rivals like the Galaxy Z Fold 7 with its 200MP sensor. TechRadar highlights, "the cameras are a letdown." Still, features like the 5x zoom lens and Camera Coach offer versatility and guidance for taking better shots, ensuring day-to-day photos hold their own.
The 48MP main camera, alongside the ultra-wide and telephoto options, delivers decent quality in good lighting but struggles in low-light conditions with noise and softness noticeable on closer inspection. Reviewers emphasize the need for hardware upgrades to better compete in the foldable market.
If you value Google’s photo AI, such as automated shot suggestions, you might appreciate the unique capabilities, but those seeking exceptional camera performance might look elsewhere.
Battery
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold features a substantial 5,015mAh battery designed to ease your daily concerns about running out of power. Reviewers consistently note its ability to last over 12 hours on a single charge, outpacing many competitors. This is particularly valuable for users who frequently find themselves away from charging options and require a device that supports their active lifestyle.
In addition to its long-lasting power, the phone supports Pixelsnap magnetic charging. As noted by TechRadar, "it opens a world of accessories, including charging stands, wallet cases, and magnetic tripods". This feature ensures a hassle-free charging experience and compatibility with various modern charging accessories. Though the battery capacity ensures you're powered throughout the day, the efficient charging methods create an opportunity to quickly top up your battery with minimal interruption to your routine.
Audio
Reviewers have highlighted the Pixel 10 Pro Fold's stereo speakers for their excellent sound quality. You get rich, immersive audio whether you're enjoying a movie or playing your favorite game on the large screen. The sound is loud and bass-filled, making entertainment more engaging.
For phone calls, the earpiece provides clear audio that ensures you hear the other person easily, even in noisy settings. According to Trusted Reviews, the phone's "stereo sound makes calls sound clear and natural."
Overall, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold's audio features significantly enhance the experience, providing clear and immersive sound for both calls and entertainment.
The Bottom Line
This device impresses with its durable build and bright displays, providing a good experience even in bright sunlight. It's equipped with long-lasting battery life and convenient magnetic charging. The downside lies in its weight and a less competitive camera system compared to leading models. AI features promise enhanced capabilities, but they occasionally fall short of expectations. Potential users should weigh the benefits of durability and software against a higher cost and bulk.
Experts say it won't "satisfy those chasing the thinnest, lightest foldable" (Trusted Reviews) and note its "strong battery life" (Gizmodo).
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Abhishek Malhotra, The Mobile IndianThe Pixel 10 Pro Fold delivers premium hardware and refined software, along with impressive cameras, solid battery life, decent speakers, excellent haptics and beautiful displays. But if you want a foldable mainly for gaming or heavy productivity, it still falls short — the software just isn’t equip...
- Christian de Looper, BGRFoldable phones are getting better, and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is certainly better than the Pixel 9 Pro Fold from last year. But it's also lacking plenty of features compared to the Pixel 10 Pro. The camera is closer to the Pixel 10 in quality, while the performance is closer to the Pixel 10 without...
- Samuel Gibbs, The GuardianThe Pixel does a great job of balancing being a regular phone when closed and a great tablet when open, but it is fat and heavy compared with the dramatically thinner and lighter Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7.
- Mark Kavanagh, Irish Daily MirrorPixel 10 Pro Fold is not a perfect foldable. The camera hardware could be better, although the software does make up for the shortcomings in the still images it produces. I love using this device so much as Google’s software delivers the smoothest and purest implementation of the latest Android 16 o...
- Peter Kostadinov, PhoneArenaThe Pixel 10 Pro Fold is a mixed bag. On paper and in real life, it's barely an improvement over the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. The performance is marginally better, but the battery life and camera image quality have not moved an iota in the right direction.
Prices (Where to Buy)
Common Questions
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold price will vary depending on retailer, age, special offers and whether or not it's purchased with a service plan. If purchased with a 2 year service contract for example, you would likely pay much less for the phone itself up front.
You can compare Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold prices from around the web here on The Informr.
Google backs up the Pixel 10 Pro Fold with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.
If your Pixel 10 Pro Fold has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Google support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Google's contact information here.
If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop.
You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.
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