Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold Review: Smart, But Not Exciting Enough

The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold promises foldable innovation, but does it deliver? Read my in-depth review covering design, display, performance, cameras, software, battery, and whether it’s worth the high price tag.

1. Introduction: A Foldable That Almost Got Forgotten

I had completely forgotten about the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold until Google shipped me the review unit. Honestly, it feels like a phone that’s just trying to exist in 2025 rather than compete. When phones like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Vivo X Fold 5 are pushing foldable innovation, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold feels… cautious.

Still, I gave it a fair shot, testing it thoroughly over the past weeks — from daily tasks and gaming to photography and battery life.

2. Design and Build Quality: Premium, But Chunky

First impressions? The Pixel 10 Pro Fold is thicker and heavier than both the Z Fold 7 and Vivo X Fold 5. Unlike Samsung and Vivo, which aim for a candy-bar feel, Google leans into the foldable’s bulkiness.

However, there are positives:

• Curved edges and corners make it comfortable to hold.
• IP68 rating — the first foldable to have full water and dust protection.
• Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on front and back.
• Slim, gearless hinge for smooth opening and closing.

It’s a short and wide device, so smaller hands might struggle with grip. Rounded corners on the display slightly clash with the frame, giving it an unfinished design feel. But overall, the build quality and durability are impressive.

3. Display: Bright, Smooth, But Thick Bezels

The cover display is a 6.4-inch OLED panel with a refresh rate of 120 Hz and a maximum brightness of 3,000 nits. The HDR content looks great, the panel is bright, and the colors are accurate.

The internal display has the same specs: it is smooth, bright, 120Hz, and HDR-capable.

There is a disadvantage, though: the bezels are thick and the seam is visible. When contrasted with the Z Fold 7, the Pixel appears outdated.

Nevertheless, the display performs admirably for daily usage; touch responsiveness is smooth, colors jump, and video playback is excellent.

4. Performance: The Weak Link

Performance is where the Pixel 10 Pro Fold struggles. It’s powered by the Tensor G5, which has proven underwhelming in benchmarks and real-world use.

• AnTuTu score: ~1.5 million (50% lower than Z Fold 7)
• Geekbench: Lags behind Snapdragon-powered competitors
• CPU stability under stress: 59% (throttles heavily in sustained load)

Even everyday use shows occasional stutters. Gaming performance is disappointing: Genshin Impact averages 45 FPS, while the Z Fold 7 maintains 59 FPS. It also runs hotter under load.

For a ₹1.7 lakh phone, this is hard to overlook.

5. Camera Performance: Good, Not Great

Google has always excelled in computational photography, and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold continues that legacy with:

• 48MP primary
• 10.5MP ultra-wide
• 10.8MP periscope 5x zoom

Daylight shots are sharp with great HDR, though zoomed-in images reveal AI artifacts. Ultra-wide struggles in low light. Portraits are okay but not flagship-level. Selfies are excellent, maintaining natural skin tones.

Video: 4K 60fps on all lenses, daylight footage looks good, but low-light recording relies heavily on AI Video Boost, which introduces artifacts.

Overall, a serviceable camera system but behind competitors like the Z Fold 7 and Vivo X Fold 5.

6. Software Experience: Google’s Ace Card

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold shines in software:

• Android 16 with Pixel experience
• 7 years of OS updates
• Gemini AI integration for productivity, translation, and intelligent suggestions
• Material You design adds personalization

Gemini Live adds real value, especially for content creators. The foldable-specific experience, however, is limited: only two apps in split-screen, no floating windows, and cover-screen camera tricks aren’t new.

Still, software smoothness, AI features, and longevity make this phone stand out in the foldable world.

7. Battery Life and Charging: Reliable But Slow

Battery life is solid thanks to a 5,150 mAh battery:

• Heavy usage: ~1 day
• Moderate usage: ~1.5 days

Charging, however, is painfully slow: 30W wired, 15W wireless. Even the Pixel Stand 2 caps at 15W, compared to 25W on the Pixel 10 Pro XL.

So while battery life isn’t an issue, charging speed leaves much to be desired.

8. Durability: Google’s Strong Suit

With IP68, Gorilla Glass Victus 2, and a smooth hinge, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is one of the most durable foldables on the market. Minimal fingerprints, no creaks, and a solid feel make it reliable for long-term use.

9. Pricing and Value: Too Expensive

At ₹1.7 lakh (~$2,000), the Pixel 10 Pro Fold faces stiff competition. The Z Fold 7 and Vivo X Fold 5 offer superior hardware, faster performance, and better cameras.

The Pixel only wins in software longevity and AI integration, but that’s not enough for most buyers at this price point.

10. Comparison With Competitors

In short, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold shines in durability and software but falls behind on hardware and performance.

11. Final Verdict: Brilliant Software, Average Hardware

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold is a paradox:
Pros:
✅ Durable IP68 design
✅ Excellent software with Gemini AI
✅ Long battery life
✅ 7 years of updates

Cons:
❌ Tensor G5 throttles under load
❌ Thick bezels and visible crease
❌ Slow charging
❌ Limited foldable multitasking
❌ Cameras are good but not best-in-class

If you value AI, longevity, and software polish, it’s worth a look. But for performance, design finesse, and photography, the Z Fold 7 or Vivo X Fold 5 are better options.

12. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

13. External Links

• Official Google Store – Pixel 10 Pro Fold
• GSMArena – Pixel 10 Pro Fold Specs
• The Verge – Pixel 10 Pro Fold News
• Android Authority – Pixel 10 Pro Fold Coverage

Final Thoughts:

This smartphone, the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold, is encased in protective hardware. Its highlights include great AI and software, longevity, and battery life. Competitors, however, provide superior cameras, sleeker designs, and better performance for the price.

For Pixel enthusiasts who prefer software to hardware, it is a foldable. For everyone else, Samsung and Vivo remain the safer picks.

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