Finally, a foldable phone that might actually handle real-world wear and tear! Imagine dropping an $1,800 device with intricate moving parts right into sand—sounds like a nightmare, right? But what if it walked away mostly unscathed? This is exactly the story behind the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold, a foldable phone that boasts full dust and water resistance for the first time in its category thanks to an IP68 rating. This is a big deal because until now, recommending a nearly $2,000 folding phone was tough when most traditional flagship phones—even ones priced as low as $500 like the Pixel 9A—already come with robust durability ratings.
Durability Test: Sand and Saltwater Encounter
I took the Pixel 10 Pro Fold to Seattle’s popular man-made beach, Alki Beach Park, hoping to capture some picturesque shots of the phone simply lying on the sand with its screen unfolded. Contrary to my expectations, sand behaved unpredictably—it didn’t just sit under the phone but infiltrated every crevice, including the hinge and screen edges where it could cause damage. Then, things got even more intense when a wave unexpectedly reached the phone’s edge, soaking it halfway in saltwater. At that moment, I genuinely feared the worst. The sound of tiny particles crunching in the hinge was alarming, and we all know saltwater is harsh on electronics; IP68 ratings typically cover fresh water only.
Yet surprisingly, beyond the initial noise and some grains stuck inside, the phone worked perfectly. Using compressed air to clear out the hinge helped eliminate the sounds, and even five days later, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold showed no signs of malfunction. While I wouldn’t advise recreating this accidental "torture test," the phone's resilience here is promising for its endurance under everyday conditions. It’s important to recognize that its water and dust protection won’t last forever, as seals degrade over time, but this is a notable step forward.
Battery Life and Performance
Battery life on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold holds up well, but like most folding phones, it varies significantly with usage. On light days, mostly using Wi-Fi and the outer screen sparingly, the battery dropped to around 60% by bedtime. On heavier days spent outdoors with substantial use of the large inner display, it fell to roughly 30%. The phone features an adaptive battery setting aimed at optimizing app power use, which does delay some notifications slightly but generally helps extend battery life without disrupting critical alerts.
Performance-wise, the 10 Pro Fold is solid. It runs demanding games like Diablo Immortal at top settings smoothly without overheating or frame rate drops. It also includes most AI features found on the Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL, excluding AI zoom mode, which might be for the best here. Tools like Magic Cue, which convert text plans into calendar events, and Gemini, which provides creative assistance, add utility without feeling gimmicky.
Design and Usability
The shape and screen size feel well-considered; the inner display is a bit wider than Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7, making side-by-side app use comfortable, and the outer screen feels more like a regular phone display. However, this advantage comes with extra bulk: the Pixel 10 Pro Fold weighs about 16% more than the Z Fold 7 and 9% more than the iPhone 17 Pro Max, making it noticeably heavier and chunkier.
One cool feature is the phone’s Qi2 support paired with built-in magnets. This allows wireless charging on Qi2 stands and attaches accessories like Google’s magnetic ring stand, which doubles as a grip aid and a phone stand. These magnetic accessories bring practicality to the Fold without the need for bulky cases, enhancing comfort during extended use or video watching.
Both the inner and outer screens are brighter compared to the previous 9 Pro Fold, with the outer display slightly larger due to a slimmer hinge frame. However, in hot, sunny conditions, the screen quickly dims from peak brightness to prevent overheating, which is something to keep in mind.
Camera Trade-offs
Now, here’s the part that sparks debate: despite being the most expensive Pixel 10 variant, the 10 Pro Fold sports the least impressive camera setup. It uses a 48-megapixel main and 10.8-megapixel 5x telephoto lens shared with the base Pixel 10 model. The telephoto sensor is smaller than on other Pro models, leading to softer, less detailed images, especially in low light where other Pro phones shine. If photography quality is your top priority, traditional non-folding phones remain the superior choice.
The Foldable Phone Dilemma and What This Means
At first glance, the 10 Pro Fold appears to be a minor refresh—magnetic accessories, an IP68 rating, and minor tweaks. Yet, from a durability standpoint, it’s groundbreaking. Lack of dust and water resistance has long been a dealbreaker for many considering a foldable. This phone’s ability to survive a beach mishap without fatal damage is an impressive breakthrough. While this is just one anecdote, it signals progress that might encourage other manufacturers to enhance foldable durability.
Ultimately, it’s great to have options in the foldable phone market, still small in the US. If you prefer a light, slim foldable, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 remains excellent. But if you want greater peace of mind regarding dust and water resistance and don’t mind the extra weight, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold offers a compelling choice. It’s still pricier and bulkier than a typical phone, but with one of the biggest inner displays and now a serious durability claim, it’s easier to justify.
Just one cautionary tip: if you take this phone to a beach, don’t set it directly on the sand—but rest assured, it has a decent chance of survival if you do.
Agreeing to Use Your Pixel 10 Series Device
Before diving into using any Pixel 10 device, including the 10 Pro Fold, expect to agree to a slew of legal terms that most users never fully read or negotiate. Required agreements include Google’s Terms of Service, Google Play’s Terms, Privacy Policy, device update permissions (which may use cellular data), an arbitration agreement, and, if you opt-in, Google’s policy on generative AI use for Gemini Assistant.
Optional agreements let Google collect anonymous location data, allow scanning for nearby Wi-Fi and devices even when off, send diagnostic data, enable hands-free Assistant voice activation, and lock screen Assistant access. Additionally, for using Google Assistant itself, you consent to some data sharing, and features like Google Wallet will require their own terms.
In total, you’ll face at least five mandatory consents and several optional ones, adding another layer to the complex relationship between users and their smart devices.
What do you think? Is the Pixel 10 Pro Fold’s durability breakthrough enough to redefine foldables, or do you believe these ruggedness claims are just marketing smoke and mirrors? And how do you weigh bulk and price against durability? Share your thoughts below!
