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Foldables have been around for a few years, but they still are niche. I don't subscribe to the belief they're a gimmick, but niche, for sure.
And, probably, rightfully so. If I'm being honest, I'm using it like a traditional slab phone 80 per cent of the time…but for that 20 per cent of the time I'm browsing, editing a photo, or reading, it's bliss.
Plus, it's fun to see people's reactions when your phone folds.
But, at the end of the day, just being able to fold isn't enough…the phone also has to be an excellent device FIRST, and then it can be a cool foldable.
After just over one week with the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold, I can confirm this is an excellent phone that also happens to be able to fold.
Google has thrown in all the bells and whistles of the regular 10 Pro models (well, except for 8K video), while also packing it with some of the most advanced AI features you can enjoy in any phone.
It's an ambitious, premium, and, yes, expensive gadget. However, if you sat on the sidelines with last year's excellent Pixel 9 Pro Fold, great news! It's time to upgrade and join the world of Foldables!
Pixel 10 Pro Fold Design
Before we even get to the software magic, let's talk about the hardware. When I first laid eyes on the Jade finish of the Pixel 10 Pro Fold at the Made By Google event in August I said "this is the most beautiful Pixel of any kind, ever." Obviously looks are subjective; but wow, this phone is gorgeous in person.
The back of the phone has a finger-print resistant coating (crucial for the "Moonstone" model) with a silky matte glass that feels premium. This is paired with a highly polished metal frame and a matching camera bar that gives it that signature Pixel look.
Also, if you think that the 10 Fold looks similar to the 9 Fold, you're not wrong. But The Pixel 10 Pro Fold is, without a doubt, the most premium-feeling Pixel I've ever held.
While it's tough to detect at first, there are some physical differences between last year's design and this year's. Specifically Google is using a new gearless hinge mechanism. There's a satisfying tension as you open and close it, and it holds its position firmly at any angle. But most importantly it makes the phone more durable and resistant to dust (something that is extremely difficult to achieve for a foldable).
A New Standard for Durability
One of the biggest anxieties with early foldable phones was their fragility. A bit of dust or a splash of water could spell disaster. Google has tackled this head-on.
- IP68 Rating: This is a huge deal. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold is the first foldable to achieve an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. It means it can survive being submerged in shallow water for a short time and is completely sealed against dust. It's a massive step forward for peace of mind.
- Gorilla Glass Victus 2: Both the front and back of the phone are protected by the latest and greatest glass from Corning. It's designed to be more resistant to scratches and drops than ever before.
- The Inner Screen: The flexible inner display is, by nature, more delicate than a glass screen. However, Google says the ultra-thin glass it uses is 50% more durable than the previous generation, making it much more resilient to everyday wear and tear.
Unfolded, you're greeted with a massive, tablet-like 8-inch display. Fold it shut, and you have a very comfortable and usable 6.4-inch screen on the front. Both are brilliant, sharp OLED panels, with a buttery-smooth 120Hz refresh rate.
In my testing so far, the screen has had some issues "optimizing" for the contnet on the screen. Games like Asphalt Legends and Disney Speedstorm both were excellent on the folding screen with my race car on the top screen and my course map on the bottom. Playing a random game from the Play Store (Sonic) resulted in a less optimal experience with the Fold open (either zoomed/cropped or only filling the top half of the screen.
However, playing Sonic on the main/front display was on par with any other phone. Likely your expectations would already be managed that not all content and apps are designed to transition between open and closed folding screens, but in case they weren't, adjust expetations now.
They also get incredibly bright, hitting a peak of 3000 nits, which means you'll have no trouble seeing them even on the sunniest Canadian summer day.
The Camera: Your New Creative Partner
Pixel phones have a reputation for camera excellence, and the 10 Pro Fold more than lives up to the family name. The hardware is top-notch, but it's the way Google's AI works with the cameras that truly sets it apart.
The Hardware Specs
Let's get the technical bits out of the way. You're working with a pro-grade triple camera system on the back:
- Main Wide Camera: A 50-megapixel sensor that captures incredible detail and excels in low light.
- Ultrawide Camera: A 48-megapixel lens that's perfect for sweeping landscape shots, big group photos, or getting super close for detailed macro shots.
- Telephoto Camera: A 48-megapixel lens with a 5x optical zoom. This lets you get incredibly close to your subject without losing quality. And with Google's Super Res Zoom, you can push that up to 30x digitally.
Despite the other Pixel 10 Pro models being able to shoot in 8K video, the Fold is only capable of 4K. I say "only" but it's worth keeping in mind if you were super excited about the potential reframing options of being able to shoot in 8K, you won't be able to do that with the Fold.
The AI Magic Show
This is where things get really interesting. The Tensor G5 chip inside of the phone enables a whole suite of AI-powered camera features that feel like something out of science fiction.
- Camera Coach: This is a game-changer for anyone who wants to take better photos but doesn't know where to start. Using Google's AI, the phone analyzes your scene and provides real-time guidance on things like composition, lighting, and framing. It's like having a professional photographer whispering tips in your ear.
- Auto Best Take: We've all been there. You take ten group photos, and in every single one, somebody is blinking or not smiling. Auto Best Take solves this. You press the shutter once, and the phone's AI captures a burst of moments. Then, it can automatically create a merged image where everyone in the group looks their best. It's honestly magical.
- Ask Photos: Photo editing can be intimidating. Instead of fiddling with sliders for brightness, contrast, and saturation, you can now just…ask. Open a photo, tap the "Ask Photos" button, and type or say what you want. Things like "make the sky more blue," "make the background blurry," or even just "make this look better." The AI analyzes your request and does the editing for you.
- Magic Editor & Magic Eraser: These familiar Pixel features are back and better than ever. Magic Eraser lets you remove unwanted people or objects from your photos with a simple tap. Magic Editor takes it a step further, allowing you to move subjects around, change the colour of the sky, and more.
- Video Boost: This feature offloads complex video processing to Google's cloud servers. The result is videos with dramatically better colour, lighting, and stabilization, especially in challenging low-light conditions.
Camera Coach is available on all Pixel 10 models, including the Fold.
In terms of the stuff you'll actually use, Auto Best Take is probably the most relevant and helpful (aside from the quality of the Magic Eraser Tool, which if you've used Pixels from even the 6 onward, you've probably grown to expect a high quality result from Google).
In the moment, I don't think most people will consider Camera Coach, to snap a quick pic. However, maybe that's a mistake. For someone who takes a lot of product photography (there's only so many ways to shoot photos of a laptop or a phone), I found Camera Coach, actually gave some good ideas about framing, composition, and angles. Do yourself a favour, and at least try it out. Otherwise you'll forget it exists.
Gemini: The Brains Behind the Brawn
Powering all of this is Gemini, Google's personal AI assistant. It's integrated deep into the phone's operating system, and it unlocks some truly unique and helpful experiences.
Magic Cue is the star feature. It's a proactive assistant that surfaces information right when you need it, often before you even think to ask. For example:
- If you're on a call discussing a meeting, it might pop up a button to create a calendar event.
- If a friend texts you an address, it will show you a small Google Maps preview and a button for directions.
- It can even pull your flight's boarding pass from your email when you arrive at the airport.
It works across apps, calls, and chats, and because it's all processed securely on the device by the Tensor G5 chip, it's private.
I've found Magic Cue, doesn't pop up as often as I thought (so it's certainly not a distraction). The longer you use your phone, the more use cases you'll find where Magic Cue, is particularly helpful.
All-Day Power and Then Some
A big, bright screen and powerful AI features need a lot of juice. Thankfully, Google has packed the Pixel 10 Pro Fold with its largest battery ever.
It's a 5,500mAh battery, and Google promises "beyond 24-hour" battery life. In my testing, that claim holds up. With normal use—sending texts, browsing social media, taking photos, and watching some videos—I was consistently ending the day with 30-40% battery left. Even on heavier days with lots of camera use and gaming, I never had to worry about finding a charger before bedtime.
When you do need to top up, you get fast wired charging and support for Qi2 wireless charging (up to 15W), so you can just drop it on a charging pad. If you plug in through a 30W USB-C charger, you'll be able to to up half your battery in half an hour!
Is the Pixel 10 Pro Fold Worth It?
The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold is a technological marvel. It's a beautifully designed and surprisingly durable device that delivers on the promise of a foldable phone. The massive inner screen is a joy for multitasking and media consumption, and the camera system is one of the best and most versatile you can find on any smartphone.
Geeking Out Shop
Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold
For Multi-Tasking & Entertainment
This is the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold. With Gemini integrated into its operating system, this phone is engineered for multi-tasking and entertainment. It boasts the Pixel's largest screen yet (8 inches unfolded, or 6.4 inches when folded shut), and the display is brighter than ever. Split Screen allows you to plan a trip, drag and drop images, and open several apps simultaneously. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold has an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, and it's made with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, so it's built to last. Truly. Its gearless, high-strength hinge makes it durable enough to handle an estimated 10 years of folding. This foldable is available in two colours: Jade and Moonstone.
But the real story is the AI. Features like Camera Coach, Auto Best Take, and Magic Cue aren't just gimmicks; they are genuinely useful tools that save you time and help you do more with your device. Photography features like Instant View (brings up your recently taken photos alongside your viewfinder, for lining up consistent shots) and Made You Look (getting your toddlers or pets to actually look at the camera) are execllent.
There is a bit of a learning curve. Unlocking the full potential of this phone means embracing its AI features and learning how they can fit into your daily life. It can feel a little overwhelming at first.
This is not a phone for everyone. It's a premium device with a premium price tag. But if you're a tech enthusiast, a creative professional, or someone who simply wants the most capable and intelligent smartphone on the market, the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold is in a class of its own. It's not just a great foldable phone; it might just be the smartest phone ever made.
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