Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold review: A Pro with some cons

Ever since the launch of the first “Pro” iPhone model, we’ve come to expect certain things from a device bearing that label. We expect performance that outstrips its non-Pro counterpart, we expect ultra-high-quality cameras, and we expect a few exclusive features, whether that’s a better display or exclusive camera controls.

The problem with the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold is that it subverts those expectations, and not in a good way.

From the outside, the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold hasn’t strayed far from its predecessor’s design. Sure, the bezels are a little thinner this time around, and we’ve got two new colours to choose from (Moonstone and Jade) and slightly brighter displays, but there’s not a whole lot of innovation going on in terms of aesthetics. In fact, the most notable new addition is Pixelsnap, which is Google’s answer to Apple’s MagSafe.

While its competitors are prioritising a lighter, slimmer form factor, Google has instead gone all-in on durability. Of course, that’s not a bad thing at all, but it has come at a rather heavy cost, and I mean that quite literally. Although remarkably slim at 5.2mm unfolded, it’s actually 0.1mm thicker and 1g heavier (weighing in at 258g) than its predecessor, and leagues behind the 4.2mm and 215g body of its biggest rival, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7.

Still, it’s hard to argue with its IP68 water and dust resistance rating, which is unheard of for this form factor. Combine that with a new gearless hinge that Google claims is twice as durable as the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, and the result is a foldable that, in theory, should share the same longevity as any slab phone.

As for the displays, I have zero complaints. Both the inner and outer screens are crisp, bright, and responsive. The inner display’s crease is noticeable, yes, but it’s to be expected.

Camera performance is one of the Pixel’s biggest selling points, so you’d think Google would want to focus on maintaining that reputation, right? Well, if the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is anything to go by, it seems that’s not the case. This year, it’s a straight copy-paste job. The same 48MP wide lens, 10.5MP ultrawide, 10.8MP telephoto, and both 10MP selfie cameras found on the Pixel 9 Pro Fold have made a reappearance on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold.

The cameras aren’t bad at all, and Google’s image processing software, as usual, makes it hard to take a bad shot. The only problem is they’re not “Pro” cameras. On paper (and in practice), they perform closer to the base model Google Pixel 10 than the Pixel 10 Pro. Granted, cameras aren’t necessarily the key priority for the majority of people looking for a foldable device. That said, if you’re going to slap the word “Pro” on your smartphone, you would expect all “Pro” phones in the lineup to have the same (or close to the same) camera specs. It’s just another sacrifice made in the name of keeping things slim.

Regardless, the cameras are still arguably some of the best found on any foldable, with reliable low-light performance and excellent colour accuracy regardless of the lighting conditions, plus “Pro-only” features like RAW image files and manual lens selection.

The whole point of a book-style folding phone is productivity. Whether you’re multitasking, gaming, or watching videos, having access to a larger screen is a game-changer. Unfortunately, because Google put all of its eggs in the durability basket this year, performance has fallen behind.

When I reviewed the base Pixel 10 last month, my major criticism was aimed towards Google’s Tensor G5 processor. It simply isn’t even close to being on par with comparable devices from Apple and Samsung, and considering that same chip is in the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, I’m only more baffled at this chip being used to power what should be a multitasking “Pro” powerhouse.

The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold performs fine enough when you’re doing one thing at a time, but operating two apps at once side-by-side (which is sadly the maximum you can run at once) is a different story. If those two apps are your web browser and email client, you’ll likely have a smooth enough experience. Anything more demanding than that, like watching a video on one half and playing a mobile game on the other, and you’ll notice a dip in performance.

Foldable phones, of course, aren’t generally marketed towards mobile gamers, but one thing I noted was how hot the Pixel 10 Pro Fold got when I played basically anything, even less taxing games.

Fortunately, the battery life on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is better than expected for a phone with a lot of screen real estate and not a lot of battery space. Sure, I needed the occasional evening top-up after a day of heavier use, but I was able to get seven or eight hours of screen time per day quite consistently.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Pixel without Gemini, and Google has packed a decent handful of AI features into the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. While its AI photo editing and call screening tools can come in incredibly handy, Magic Cue is a bit of a disappointment. It promises to surface contextually relevant information when you need it most (e.g. flight or accommodation information when you’re trying to share travel plans), but in the month that I’ve had access to this feature, I haven’t gotten it to trigger once.