Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold review: a durable, smart foldable that’s not without compromises

• By Sanket Vijayasarathy
Published On: 24 October 2025 | 16:34 IST Last Updated On: 27 October 2025 | 16:48 IST

Google’s Pixel lineup has long been praised for clean software, timely updates, and reliable camera performance. With the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, Google enters the foldable market for the third generation, attempting to combine its signature Pixel experience with the convenience of a foldable design. Priced at Rs 1,72,999, it’s one of the more expensive options in Google’s 2025 portfolio, and it sits directly against the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 (review), a device widely regarded as the benchmark for foldables.

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold introduces several firsts to Google’s foldable line, most notably IP68 dust and water resistance, built-in magnetic charging, and a slightly larger, brighter main display. But despite these improvements, the phone has some trade-offs that might make potential buyers hesitate, including its chunky form factor and a camera setup that doesn’t match that of other Pixel 10 Pro devices. Here’s an in-depth look at what the Pixel 10 Pro Fold does well, where it falls short, and who it’s really for.

Design: a foldable that can take a beating

If durability has been a concern for foldable phones, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold addresses it head-on. Google introduced a gearless hinge, which literally means a hinge without gears, to improve durability and avoid issues like dust getting stuck between gears over time. This, combined with the IP68 rating, makes it the first foldable phone capable of surviving both dust and water exposure to a reasonable degree. In the real world, this means the Pixel can survive multiple drops and even encounters with sand and water without functional issues. This robustness is notable in a category where most foldables remain fragile compared to regular phones and are prone to long-term wear.

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold also benefits from built-in magnets, compatible with Google’s PixelSnap accessories and Qi2 wireless chargers. This makes everyday charging and accessory attachment far more convenient than on competing foldables that require separate cases or adapters. Unfortunately, we didn’t receive any PixelSnap accessories to offer deeper insights.

This durability comes at a cost, though. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold is heavier and thicker than most competitors. At 258 grams and 10.8mm thick when folded, it’s noticeably more cumbersome than Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7, which weighs 215 grams and folds down to just 8.9mm. While the heft contributes to the phone’s sturdiness, it also makes pocket carrying and one-handed use more challenging. Compared to modern foldables, the Pixel feels like a “brick” in hand, a point that may influence daily comfort for long-term users.

In terms of aesthetics, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold hasn’t undergone major design revisions from last year’s Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Its Moonstone and Jade finishes are tasteful, if not particularly eye-catching, and while the gearless hinge is robust, Google hasn’t significantly slimmed down the device in line with competitors’ increasingly svelte foldables. The cover design also appears dated, with the top and bottom left sides squared off against a curved display, revealing some metal surface area.

Display: bright and functional

Where the Pixel 10 Pro Fold excels is in its dual-display setup. The 8-inch main OLED panel is bright and vibrant, providing a comfortable workspace for split-screen multitasking and media consumption. The 6.4-inch cover screen is slightly smaller than the Z Fold 7’s, but wider in aspect ratio, making typing and casual usage easier. Both panels are 120Hz, delivering smooth scrolling and transitions.

The inner display is particularly enjoyable for productivity and media. Watching videos, browsing, and using two apps simultaneously feels natural thanks to the wider aspect ratio. Outdoor visibility is strong, with brightness peaking over 2,500 nits, higher than the Z Fold7. Google has yet to add an LTPO panel for adaptive refresh rates on the cover screen, which would have been a welcome addition for battery efficiency, but it’s a minor complaint in a generally bright and vivid display package.

Another area where the Pixel 10 Pro Fold feels a few years behind Samsung and Vivo’s foldables is the crease, which is quite visible. You can feel it too when you slide your finger across the centre, which is likely to happen frequently during split-screen multitasking. Both the Galaxy Z Fold7 and X Fold5 do better in this regard with almost creaseless inner displays.

Cameras: reliable but not Pixel-perfect

Here’s where the Pixel 10 Pro Fold faces its most conspicuous compromise: the camera system. While it shares the 48MP main, 10.5MP ultrawide, and 10.8MP 5x telephoto lenses with the base Pixel 10, these sensors are smaller than those on the non-folding Pixel 10 Pro. The result is that, while photos are consistent and generally pleasing, the Fold’s camera system doesn’t deliver the standout results expected from a flagship Pixel. They’re good, not great.

In daylight, shots are acceptable: colour-accurate and bright. I didn’t experience any shutter lag, and I captured crisp, reliable photos in most daylight scenes as well as indoor settings with ample light around. Portraits and everyday photography work well, and the telephoto lens provides functional 5x optical zoom, an improvement over the Z Fold 7’s 3x lens. You can even unfold the device to use the main cameras for selfies, with the cover screen acting as a viewfinder. This lets you capture crisp-looking selfies with the 48MP rear lens, rather than the lesser 10MP selfie camera on the cover screen.However, in low-light conditions, the cameras struggle, producing images that lack detail and vibrancy. The ultrawide lens, while serviceable, exhibits noticeable softness and colour shift compared to the main sensor. Video recording peaks at 4K/60fps, lower than the Pixel 10 Pro and Samsung Z Fold 7, which support 8K recording. While videos have decent stability, switching between lenses and colour reproduction isn’t as seamless or consistent as on an iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Put simply, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold’s cameras are good enough for casual photography, but do not justify its Rs 1,72,999 price tag if professional photography or vlogging is a priority. For Pixel enthusiasts who value Google’s software-driven camera features, the Fold remains usable, but it won’t surpass the experience of a Pixel 10 Pro XL. You can read more about the Pixel 10 Pro XL’s cameras in my review here.

Performance

Under the hood, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold runs on Google’s Tensor G5 chip just like other Pixel 10 phones, paired with 16GB of RAM. For everyday tasks, such as browsing, messaging, streaming, and social media, the Fold performs smoothly. Split-screen multitasking and productivity apps function without hiccups, and casual gaming is handled competently.

That said, the G5 struggles against top-tier competitors in graphically-intensive tasks. Running demanding games at maximum settings can result in frame drops and minor stutter. Benchmarks show the Galaxy Z Fold 7’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chip outperforming the G5 by a wide margin in both CPU and GPU tests, particularly in graphics-heavy scenarios and video editing tasks.

Ultimately, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is optimised for productivity, media, and casual gaming, but it’s not the ideal choice for users seeking raw processing power or heavy creative workloads.

Software: clean experience meets foldable flexibility

Google’s Android 16 with Material You shines on the Fold. The OS adapts well to the inner 8-inch display, with split quick settings, 90:10 multitasking, and well-optimised Google apps like Gmail, Keep, Calendar, and Maps. The Fold also brings a full suite of Pixel-exclusive features, including Now Playing, Smart Call, Magic Cue, and Auto Best Take, all of which enhance everyday usability. I’ve written in-depth about some of the new AI-based features, such as Pixel Journal, which is one of my favourite new apps, and the very inconsistent Magic Cue in my Pixel 10 Pro XL review.

As a foldable, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold delivers a largely basic multitasking experience. It currently supports only two apps side by side, doesn’t allow pinning the app dock in gesture navigation, and doesn’t allow having multiple floating windows like you can on the Galaxy Z Fold7 or Vivo X Fold5.

The Pixel Fold would have also benefited from a productivity feature like Vivo’s Origin Workbench on the X Fold5, which I wrote about in detail. Origin Workbench is a multitasking workspace that lets you run up to five apps at once and switch between them with ease.

I also encountered occasional software bugs, including biometric and connectivity issues. I wasn’t able to change the wallpaper for some reason, with an error message reading “the collection doesn’t exist” when trying to choose a wallpaper from a Collection folder. I’m sure Google will fix this with a software update. And Google’s long-term update schedule and seven years of promised OS upgrades do offer long-lasting reassurance.

Battery life and charging: long-lasting foldable

Battery life is one area where the Pixel 10 Pro Fold delivers comfortably. With its 5,015mAh cell, the phone consistently lasts a full day even under heavy mixed usage. Average screen-on time reaches around four to five hours on typical days, with lighter use pushing remaining battery well into the evening.

Wired charging is capped at 30W, bringing the phone from 20 percent to full in about 76 minutes, similar to the Pixel 10 Pro XL. Wireless Qi2 magnetic charging is supported, adding convenience for those using PixelSnap accessories or charging stands. Compared to the Galaxy Z Fold 7, the Pixel Fold offers slightly longer endurance, although both foldables are nearly identical in terms of wired charging speeds.

Verdict

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold is a solid but imperfect foldable. It combines durable construction, reliable battery life, bright displays, and clean Pixel software, making it a compelling choice for those who want a foldable Pixel that offers both longevity and user-friendly software.

However, there are clear trade-offs:

• Chunky design compared to the svelte Galaxy Z Fold7 and Vivo X Fold5.
• Underwhelming cameras relative to other Pixel 10 Pro phones.
• Mid-tier performance for gaming and multitasking.

If you want a foldable phone that can survive real-world wear and tear, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is arguably the safest bet. Its IP68 rating, gearless hinge, and magnetic charging ecosystem set it apart. Battery life and inner display productivity are strong points that make daily use enjoyable.

If, however, your priority is raw performance, photography, or portability, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 remains a more compelling alternative at a similar price. For general Pixel fans who do not need a foldable form factor, the Pixel 10 Pro or Pixel 10 Pro XL offer better cameras, faster charging, and a more comfortable everyday experience at a lower price.

Ultimately, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is a device built for a niche audience: those who want a foldable phone that emphasises durability, software reliability, and large-screen productivity, and who are willing to accept compromises in cameras, bulk, and gaming performance. For this audience, Google provides a thoughtful and polished experience. For everyone else, a traditional flagship may remain the smarter investment.

Editor’s rating: 8/10

Pros:

• First foldable with IP68 dust and water resistance
• Full-day battery life
• Durable, gearless hinge design
• Long software support

Cons:

• Heavier and thicker than rival foldables
• Cameras lag behind other Pixel 10 Pro phones
• Limited multitasking features