Lots of people appear to be dunking on the Pixel 10 Professional Fold for being a little bit too thick across the edges. And it’s true, subsequent to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7, Google’s newest foldable might not look practically as elegant or futuristic. The corporate clearly wasn’t chasing thinness like the remainder of the gamers within the foldable recreation, and the result’s a foldable cellphone that appears chunkier and is even a tad heavier than its predecessor. Nonetheless, Google’s lack of consideration to the scale of the Pixel 10 Professional Fold is definitely beginning to make numerous sense to me. It’s even making me a bit jealous, to be trustworthy.
The trade-offs are robust to disregard when you look nearer.
Throughout our press briefings, Google was very upfront about why it didn’t slim down the Pixel 10 Professional Fold, and the trade-offs are robust to disregard when you look nearer. The Pixel 10 Professional Fold packs a 5,015mAh battery in comparison with the Fold 7’s 4,400mAh cell. That’s not only a small bump, it’s a large leap for a foldable cellphone, and one that would simply translate into a number of additional hours of real-world utilization. For those who’ve used a foldable cellphone earlier than, you’ll know that battery life is among the first sacrifices it’s a must to study to reside with for the sake of the shape issue, and whereas the Galaxy Z Fold 7’s battery life isn’t dangerous, Google is basically taking issues to the following stage with that added capability. In fact, we’ll have to attend and see how the brand new Tensor G5 chip performs in follow, and how much toll it would tackle battery life.

C. Scott Brown / Android Authority
Then there’s the Qi2 wi-fi charging. The Pixel 10 Professional Fold is the primary foldable on the planet to completely undertake the wi-fi charging normal, making it extra handy to cost in comparison with the Galaxy Z Fold 7. Samsung remains to be caught with the Qi2 Prepared normal, that means it doesn’t have any built-in magnets. If you wish to cost the cellphone magnetically, you’ll want a appropriate case for the complete expertise, whereas the Pixel 10 Professional Fold can precisely snap on wi-fi chargers and a variety of appropriate equipment, together with fashionable MagSafe merchandise.

Rita El Khoury / Android Authority
Sturdiness is one other key space the place Google has made a significant improve. Whereas Samsung was chasing a slim and glossy profile, which I like, by the best way, Google quietly constructed the primary foldable with a correct IP68 score. For context, that’s the identical stage of mud and water safety you get on a Pixel 10 Professional or Galaxy S25 Extremely. I all the time are inclined to child foldable telephones and defend them with my life, however an IP68 score makes the Pixel 10 Professional Fold really feel like an actual flagship. It’s the type of sturdiness improve that offers me numerous confidence as a person and issues far more than shaving off a few millimeters of thickness.
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On prime of that, the Pixel 10 Professional Fold isn’t lagging behind on long-term help both. Identical to Samsung, Google is promising seven years of software program updates. It additionally ships with extra RAM (16GB vs the Fold 7’s 12GB) and undercuts Samsung barely on value, beginning at $1,799. Certain, that’s nonetheless a small fortune to pay for a cellphone, however Google undoubtedly gained the worth argument this yr.
Final however not least, Google has an AI benefit. Samsung’s One UI 8 is superb on foldables and one of many causes I benefit from the Galaxy Z Fold 7 a lot, however Google can be flexing its AI muscle mass in methods which can be arduous to disregard. The Pixel 10 Professional Fold will get the most effective of Gemini, Imagen, and Veo, bundled with a free yr of Google AI Professional. However the true magic is within the digicam. New options like Digicam Coach, which guides you on framing and composition, Auto Finest Take, which blends group photographs so everybody appears their greatest, and Ask Images, which helps you to actually inform Gemini the way you need a picture edited, are all options I’ll undoubtedly miss on the Galaxy Z Fold 7. Certain, Samsung can all the time add these software program tips in One UI 8, however for now, not less than on paper, Google appears to have the sting.

Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority
So sure, the Pixel 10 Professional Fold is thicker. Sure, it appears a little bit clunkier subsequent to the beautiful Galaxy Z Fold 7 that slips completely in my pocket and my tiny purses. However after utilizing Samsung’s foldable as my each day driver for some time, I’ve undoubtedly realized how a lot sturdiness, battery life, and smarter software program matter in the long term. I’m not saying the Galaxy Z Fold 7 performs poorly in any of those areas. In reality, it’s a wonderful cellphone. However with all its upgrades, the Pixel 10 Professional Fold sounds just like the sturdier, extra good selection, if Samsung’s ecosystem, UI, and slimness don’t matter to you.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 or Google Pixel 10 Professional Fold: Which one would you decide?
173 votes
That stated, we haven’t spent sufficient hands-on time with the Pixel 10 Professional Fold to be completely sure its upgrades make it price recommending over the Galaxy Z Fold 7. These are simply a few of my preliminary ideas primarily based on what the cellphone presents on paper. It’s fully attainable my perspective will change after really utilizing the Pixel 10 Professional Fold. However for now, I didn’t assume I might envy a foldable that appears bulkier than the Galaxy Z Fold 7. Google’s resolution to prioritize practicality over slimness may simply be the neatest transfer within the foldable phase this yr.

Google Pixel 10 Professional Fold
High-tier specs • IP68 score • 6.4-inch outer and 8-inch interior shows
Thinner, extra highly effective, and an even bigger show
The Google Pixel 10 Professional Fold combines a 6.4-inch entrance show with a folding 8-inch interior panel for 2 succesful viewing experiences. With the Tensor G5 shipset, 16GB of RAM, and many UFS 4.0 storage choices, it matches the Pixel 10 Professional XL by way of specs and efficiency. The folding cellphone additionally presents a triple digicam setup, loads of highly effective AI options, wi-fi charging, and an IP68 score.
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