The Pixel 10 Pro Fold looks to be Google’s most actualized and durable foldable phone yet. Per a reliable leak, the next foldable will sport a markedly thinner hinge and an IP68 rating, which would make it one of the first foldable phones with such a high degree of water and dust resistance. That is a clear win over its predecessor and, in fact, against the likes of the rival Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7.
The leak comes via AndroidHeadlines, with a full report detailing how Google intends to slim down the body of the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, and better its everyday usability. Less hinge, lighter device, more comfortable for users who have struggled to hold previous foldables over extended periods.
But the marquee feature is the Pixel 10 Pro Fold IP68 rating. That’s a major jump from the IPX8 protection featured in other foldables. The “6” in IP68 signifies that the body is completely dust-tight and the “8” means the phone can withstand being submerged in water that’s up to 1 meter deep for 30 minutes. In short: The Pixel 10 Pro Fold would be the toughest foldable out there.
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7, by way of comparison, is rumored to feature an IP48 rating, which is not as robust. This allows Google a rare chance to be a first mover in the durability of foldable design. Good news for anyone who wants a high-end device that doesn’t make too many sacrifices when it comes to rough-and-tumble usability.
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold is expected to have a worldwide release date of 20 August. Leaked renders indicate it has the same visual DNA as the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, but the differences behind the screen are way more important.
On the photography front, the new Pixel Fold variant is also expected to come with the same triple camera, which we saw in previous Pixel Folds, as per the rumors. This consists of a 50MP Sony GN8 primary sensor, a 12MP Samsung 3J1 telephoto shooter, and a 12MP 3J1 ultra-wide camera. This sensor allows for versatile and crisp imaging performance, although the top camera could well see a small bump to enhance clarity and lowlight shooting.
The fact that the camera hardware remains the same, though, implies that Google is doubling down for the most part on design durability and real-world usability improvements, and not risk-taking wholesale hardware changes.
So with expectations mounting, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold could be a serious player in the premium foldable top spot. With modern design, improved toughness, and the Pixel experience that we’ve all been waiting for, it could end up leading the way as the foldable for the rest of us.
