It’s odd to call a folding phone old school, but it seems fitting for the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold. It’s not thin and light, and Google made no attempt to emulate the impressive foldables we’ve seen overseas or even the Galaxy Z Fold 7. Like the rest of the Pixel 10 lineup, Google takes a different approach, adding value in ways others don’t.

At first glance, it doesn’t appear that Google did anything to improve from last year’s Pixel 9 Pro Fold, but that’s far from the reality. It’s not the flashiest folding phone you can buy, but for many reasons, it should be the one that ends up in your pocket.

8.5/10

SoC

Google Tensor G5

RAM

16GB

Storage

256 GB / 512 GB/ 1TB with Zoned UFS

Battery

5015mAh

The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold doesn’t look different from the outside, but Google has made plenty of changes under the hood. It features the company’s Tensor G5 chipset and 16GB of RAM. Google increased the external display size to 6.4 inches for 2025 and added an IP68 rating. It also features a gearless hinge for better durability.

Pros & Cons

• Outstanding battery life
• IP68 rating
• Durable hinge

• Slow charging
• Bulky
• Expensive

Price and availability

The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold is available through Google and Best Buy starting at $1,800. The base price includes 256GB of storage, but other storage variants are available for an additional cost, including 512GB and 1TB options.

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold comes in two colors: the gorgeous Moonstone colorway and Jade. It’s compatible with all major mobile carriers and MVNOs, and unlike the rest of the Pixel 10 series, it retains a physical SIM slot.

More changes than meet the eye

Google beefed up specs that matter

It’s not the most visually exciting foldable on the market, but the Pixel 10 Pro Fold features a couple of design advantages that make it worth considering. It starts with the hinge. The gearless hinge in the Pixel 10 Pro Fold feels outstanding. I’ve enjoyed the hinges on the Pixel Fold devices since the original, but the folding action on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is smooth, even, and sturdy — precisely what you want on a foldable.

Without gears, there are fewer parts that can fail, and I have confidence the Pixel 10 Pro Fold will maintain its durability. Its IP68 rating for dust and water resistance also adds peace of mind. It’s an important milestone for folding phones, and companies should strive to make it the standard going forward.

People who already use folding phones won’t think it matters. You’re careful with your device; why does it matter if it has an IP68 rating? However, for buyers looking to make the leap to a foldable for the first time, it carries significant weight.

Unfortunately, significant weight also applies to the Pixel 10 Pro Fold as a whole. It’s a chonker, tipping the scales at 258g — an increase from last year’s phone. It’s also a touch thicker. Google didn’t waste the extra space, which we’ll talk about later, but it’s still a consideration. It’s a bulky device, especially in comparison to the slim and sleek Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7.

Google increased the cover display size for 2025. It’s now a 6.4-inch Actua display, which my thumbs are thankful for. I had no trouble typing, and I wouldn’t be unhappy spending the entire day only using the external screen. It’s also brighter this year, which makes a noticeable difference when using the phone outdoors.

The device unfolds to reveal a gorgeous 8-inch Super Actua Flex display. It’s bright, detailed, and features a 120Hz refresh rate. It’s fantastic for viewing videos and content, and I’m impressed with the contrast. It’s a highlight of the phone, and if I’m paying $1,800, I want an excellent, expansive screen to look at — Google got it right.

It’s time to talk about Tensor

An improved software experience

I’m not someone who complains about Tensor chipsets. The Tensor G5 powering the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is an excellent performer. It provides a lag-free experience. Google Gemini is snappy on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, and multitasking is outstanding. The phone’s 16GB of RAM certainly helps, even though Google allocates a chunk of that for Gemini functionality.

I don’t agree with anyone who claims the Tensor is a midrange chipset, and you really need to use one before criticizing what Google has done. It doesn’t have any of the drawbacks of earlier Tensor chipsets. It’s power-efficient, and I haven’t noticed any overheating. I’ve also been pleased with the modem performance on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold.

Everyone is tired of hearing it, and I’m tired of saying it, but it must be noted. If you’re a hardcore mobile gamer, grinding away in Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile, you’ll want to consider a Galaxy Z Fold 7 instead. I’m not saying the Pixel 10 Pro Fold can’t game. It can, and the experience is smooth enough at lower settings; however, some gamers will want more, and that’s okay.

As much as the design, software is a significant reason why I buy a foldable. If the internal display isn’t utilized properly, it’s just a regular smartphone with a big screen. And I don’t need to pay a huge premium for that.

Material 3 Expressive on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is exactly what I expected. It’s an outstanding piece of software, and it’s my favorite version of Android 16 from any manufacturer. It’s smooth and intuitive, finally bringing Google’s vision to life that began with Android 12 and Material You. If you haven’t experienced it yet, I highly recommend giving a Pixel a try — something I couldn’t have said just a few years ago.

Google also improved the multitasking experience, which is crucial for a folding phone. The original Pixel Fold didn’t even have app pairs, which was a bizarre oversight. Google has more than made up for it. The company’s 90:10 split multitasking on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold works well, and I love being able to swap back and forth between apps with a tap.

App pairs are also a breeze. I can long-press an icon and select split-screen mode. Once I select a second app, I can go to my open apps and opt to save the app pair from a drop-down menu. It’s simple and intuitive, a far cry from the original Pixel Fold.

Google Gemini has improved. Natural language photo editing works well, and I enjoy the subtle prompts I get from Magic Cue. Google has done an excellent job of putting AI in the background. I don’t want to know which tools I have to use to get the job done, especially when it comes to photo editing.

Google promises seven years of software support for the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. It’s become more prevalent, but no less important. Extended software support matters, whether you keep your phone for seven years or not.

Impressive battery life and a Pixel camera

If durability is one pillar of the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, then battery life is the other. I don’t love that the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is a hefty 258g, but Google did include a 5,015mAh battery. I get two full days of mixed use on a single charge, and it’s the first book-style foldable I confidently left off the charger overnight with 65% battery remaining. I knew I could make it through the entire next day, and there’s a benefit to that.

I buy folding phones to use the giant internal display. I can use the 8-inch screen on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold all I want for multitasking and still have the confidence I can make it through an entire day. I’d love a silicon-carbon battery in the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, but until then, I’m willing to deal with a bit of heft if it means a bigger battery. I understand plenty will prefer the thin design of the Galaxy Z Fold 7, and I get it. However, I appreciate that there are various products available to meet different needs.

Qi2 compatibility is a feature I never thought I’d care about until I tried it. I’m not a person with wireless charging pads all over my house, but the magnets on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold are impressive, and they open up a world of possibilities for accessories — I may actually get a car mount, because I have faith the magnets will hold.

I wish wired charging speeds were faster than 30W, but that feels like a lost cause at this point.

Google didn’t make any significant improvements to the camera system for 2025. It features a triple camera setup, comprising a 48MP primary sensor, a 10.5MP ultrawide lens, and a 10.8MP 5x telephoto lens. It’s hard to argue with the results, and I still prefer the images from the Pixel 10 Pro Fold to any other foldable available in the US — especially for low-light photography. I wish Google would increase the saturation a bit more, but it only takes a simple edit to get your photos social media-ready.

A foldable for people who enjoy foldables

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold isn’t for everyone, and its $1,800 price ensures that. However, if you’re someone who just loves using folding phones, it has a lot to offer. I love the IP68 rating and extended battery life. I feel it’s what’s been missing from these devices. Durability matters, and I want to use my foldable like I do a traditional smartphone, especially since I’m paying such a high premium. It’s not perfect, and it’s not the sexiest folding phone on the market, but it’ll stay in my pocket.

8.5/10

SoC

Google Tensor G5

RAM

16GB

Storage

256 GB / 512 GB/ 1TB with Zoned UFS

Battery

5015mAh

The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold isn’t the flashiest foldable you can buy, but its large battery and excellent durability set it apart. If you’re looking for a foldable device that you can use all day, with plenty of power and fantastic software support, the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold is worth considering.