Google has thrown down the gauntlet with its latest offering, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, priced at $1,799. Unveiled at the Made by Google 2025 event, this device is positioned to challenge Samsung’s dominance in the foldable market, particularly against the Galaxy Z Fold 7. With cutting-edge features, a refined design, and Google’s signature AI prowess, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold aims to redefine what a foldable phone can do. This article dives into the specifications, features, and competitive edge of Google’s new foldable, exploring how it stacks up against Samsung’s flagship.
Key Features of the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold
Revolutionary Design and Durability
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold introduces a gearless hinge, a significant upgrade from its predecessor, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. This innovative hinge is twice as durable, capable of withstanding over 10 years of folding, according to Google. The device boasts an IP68 rating, making it the first foldable phone to offer full dust and water resistance, surpassing the Galaxy Z Fold 7’s IP48 rating. At 10.8mm thick when folded and 5.2mm when unfolded, it’s slightly thicker than Samsung’s offering (8.9mm folded, 4.2mm unfolded) but compensates with robust build quality, featuring Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for added durability.
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold sports a 6.4-inch outer AMOLED display and an 8-inch inner Super Actua Flex display, both peaking at 3,000 nits for exceptional brightness. The larger outer display, made possible by slimmer bezels, enhances usability for quick tasks, while the inner display offers a tablet-like experience for multitasking and media consumption.
Performance Powered by Tensor G5
At the heart of the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is the Tensor G5 chip, manufactured by TSMC on a 3nm process, delivering a 34% faster CPU and 60% faster TPU for AI tasks compared to its predecessor. Paired with 16GB of RAM and storage options up to 1TB, the device ensures smooth performance for demanding applications. The Tensor G5 also supports Google’s latest Gemini Nano model, enabling over 20 generative AI experiences, such as Gemini Live, Magic Cue, and Daily Hub, which provide personalized summaries of appointments, reminders, and more.
Advanced Camera System
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold retains the camera setup of its predecessor, featuring a 48MP main sensor, a 10.5MP ultrawide lens, and a 10.8MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom. While Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 boasts a 200MP main camera, Google’s strength lies in its AI-driven photography features. Highlights include:
-
Instant View: Displays recently captured photos on the left side of the screen for immediate review.
-
Auto Best Take: Automatically selects the best faces in group shots for natural-looking results.
-
Made You Look: An animation to capture children’s attention for better selfies.
-
Rear Camera Selfie Mode: Uses the main camera for high-quality selfies.
These features, combined with Magic Eraser and Photo Unblur, ensure the Pixel 10 Pro Fold delivers exceptional photo quality despite not matching Samsung’s raw sensor specs.
Battery Life and Charging Innovations
With a 5,015mAh battery, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold offers an 8% capacity increase over the Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s 4,650mAh, outpacing the Galaxy Z Fold 7’s 4,400mAh cell. This larger battery supports extended usage, with Google claiming up to 40 hours of battery life under mixed conditions. The device supports 30W wired charging, taking approximately 97 minutes for a full charge, and introduces PixelSnap magnetic technology, compatible with Qi2 wireless charging via the Pixelsnap Charger with Stand or Pixelsnap Ring Stand for hands-free use.
Software and AI Enhancements
Running Android 15, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold offers seven years of software support, matching Samsung’s commitment. Google has optimized over 50 of its apps for the foldable display, enhancing the user experience. Key software features include:
-
Split Screen: Allows resizing apps beyond screen boundaries, enabling seamless multitasking, such as dragging photos from Google Photos into Messages.
-
Improved Live Translate: Translates speech in real-time using the user’s voice for a natural experience.
-
Game Controller Functionality: Enhances gaming on the outer display for titles like Asphalt Legends and Disney Speedstorm.
-
Daily Hub: Summarizes daily schedules, weather, and reminders for quick access.
These features make the Pixel 10 Pro Fold a productivity powerhouse, particularly for users leveraging AI-driven multitasking.
How the Pixel 10 Pro Fold Compares to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7
Design and Portability
While the Pixel 10 Pro Fold’s wider, shorter design (5.5 x 3.1 inches folded) makes the outer display more functional for typing and quick tasks compared to the narrower Galaxy Z Fold 7, it is heavier (9.1 ounces vs. 7.5 ounces) and thicker. Samsung’s foldable prioritizes a sleeker, lighter form factor, but Google’s IP68 rating and durable hinge give it an edge in ruggedness.
Display Quality
Both devices feature 8-inch inner AMOLED displays with 120Hz refresh rates, but the Pixel’s screens reach a higher peak brightness (3,000 nits vs. 2,600 nits). The Pixel’s 6.4-inch outer display is slightly larger than Samsung’s, offering a more conventional smartphone experience when closed. However, Samsung’s square aspect ratio on the inner display may appeal to users preferring a tablet-like layout.
Performance and Processing Power
The Galaxy Z Fold 7’s Snapdragon 8 Elite processor outperforms the Tensor G5 in raw power, making it better suited for intensive tasks like gaming. However, the Pixel’s Tensor G5 excels in AI-driven features, offering a more seamless integration of Google’s ecosystem, which may appeal to users prioritizing software optimization over brute force.
Camera Capabilities
Samsung’s 200MP main camera gives it a hardware advantage, but Google’s AI-enhanced photography features narrow the gap, delivering comparable results in most scenarios. The Pixel’s 5x optical zoom surpasses the Z Fold 7’s 3x zoom, making it a better choice for users prioritizing telephoto performance.
Price and Value
At $1,799, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is $200 cheaper than the Galaxy Z Fold 7’s $1,999 starting price. Google sweetens the deal with bundled offers, including a year of Google AI Pro, three months of YouTube Premium, and six months of Fitbit Premium. While both devices are premium investments, the Pixel’s lower price and additional perks make it a compelling value proposition.
Why Choose the Pixel 10 Pro Fold?
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold stands out for its durability, vibrant displays, and AI-driven features tailored for productivity and creativity. Its IP68 rating and gearless hinge address common concerns with foldable phones, while the Tensor G5 chip ensures a smooth, AI-enhanced experience. For users entrenched in Google’s ecosystem, the seamless integration of apps like Google Photos, Messages, and Gemini Live makes this device a natural choice.
However, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 remains a strong contender for those prioritizing a thinner, lighter design and superior raw performance. The choice ultimately depends on whether you value Google’s software finesse or Samsung’s hardware refinements.
Availability and Pricing
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold is available for pre-order starting August 20, 2025, with a release date of October 9, 2025. It comes in Moonstone and Jade colorways, with pricing as follows:
-
256GB: $1,799
-
512GB: $1,919
-
1TB: $2,039
Google’s Pixel 10 Pro Fold is a bold step forward in the foldable smartphone arena, combining innovative design, robust durability, and powerful AI features to challenge Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7. While it may not match Samsung’s sleekness or raw camera specs, its competitive pricing, superior dust resistance, and Google’s software expertise make it a formidable rival. As foldable phones continue to evolve, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold sets a new standard for what a foldable can achieve, making it an exciting option for tech enthusiasts and productivity-driven users alike.
