The Pixel 10 Professional Fold gained me over with this key improve

Over time, I’ve frolicked with a number of foldable telephones, going all the way in which again to the unique Galaxy Fold, and extra just lately, the Galaxy Fold 6 and Pixel 9 Pro Fold. In principle, I actually just like the idea of a foldable smartphone. A traditional slab telephone that may rework into an even bigger pill after I want additional display screen real-estate? As somebody who loves distinctive devices that push the business, how can I not be into that?

But when I am being sincere, a couple of weeks after ending my critiques, I normally slide the foldable I examined in a drawer in my workplace or mail it again to no matter firm despatched it my means as a result of I am too anxious about damaging it, regardless of Samsung and Google’s claims of elevated sturdiness with each new foldable they launch. I am fairly clumsy with my units and infrequently by chance drop them or get water on their shows. I additionally prefer to mount my phone in the shower to hearken to music and watch movies — sure, I do know that is a bit odd.

I’ve tried high-quality glass display screen protectors and circumstances, together with Google’s excellent official Pixel 9 Pro Fold case, since this normally calms my lizard mind that is typically anxious about damaging my units. However even with the additional safety on no matter foldable I am utilizing, I discover I at all times find yourself switching again to a normal Pixel or iPhone flagship.

Nevertheless, with the Pixel 10 Professional Fold, that is modified thanks to at least one key addition.

Model

Google

SoC

Tensor G5, Titan M2 safety processor

Show

6.4-inch 120Hz 2364 x 1080 pixel decision OLED Actua outer show, 8-inch 120Hz 2076 x 2152 pixel decision OLED Tremendous Actua Flex internal show

RAM

16GB

Storage

256GB, 512GB

Battery

5,015mAh

IP68 mud and water resistance with a foldable is a big deal

The Pixel 9 Professional Fold featured IPX8, however this 12 months’s Pixel 10 Professional Fold kicks issues up a notch

Do not get me flawed, there are a couple of upgrades to the Pixel 10 Professional Fold this 12 months, together with a brighter show (3,000 nits vs 2,700 nits of peak brightness with the Pixel 9 Professional Fold) throughout each the internal and outer show, barely extra battery life, Google’s Tensor G5 chip, magnetic Pixelsnap accent compatibility, a barely firmer-feeling hinge, and… that is about it. All of its cameras are equivalent, and whereas there are a couple of unique AI options like Dwell Translate, Name Help, and Digital camera Coach, none of them are significantly helpful.

Even the Pixel 10 Professional Fold’s general design is sort of equivalent, and at instances, I acquired the Pixel 9 Professional Fold confused with it when instantly evaluating each foldables. That brings me to this 12 months’s key improve (the one which the sometimes funny Jimmy Fallon was overly excited about and throughout the Pixel 10 collection’ awkward reveal keynote) — IP68 mud and water resistance.

Together with dealing with being submerged in recent water all the way in which as much as 3.2ft (1m), the Pixel 10 Professional Fold is mud resistant and completely sealed. Which means getting pocket lint and different particles caught in its hinge or alongside the sides of its foldable show, is not an issue I want to fret about.

For instance, if I take the Pixel 10 Professional Fold out on my tiny sailboat this summer season, it will survive a few splashes with ease and if a little bit of sand will get on its show or in its hinge, I can simply blow it away and never fear about it getting contained in the hinge. The additional peace-of-mind IP68 gives is a whole sport changer for me, and through the previous couple of weeks whereas utilizing the Pixel 10 Professional Fold as my predominant smartphone, the foldable’s sturdiness hasn’t crossed my thoughts as soon as (the brand new firmer feeling hinge additionally helps).

On a base stage, the Pixel 10 Professional Fold now options the identical IP sturdiness score as most trendy smartphones, together with the iPhone 17 Pro, and naturally, the remainder of the Pixel 10 Pro lineup. Mud-proofing and submersion resistance turned a normal telephone function within the late 2010s. The shift occurred so way back that it is not even one thing I take into consideration after I cowl a smartphones, and I think about most individuals really feel the identical means at this level, so it’s kind of odd no different producer has managed to carry IP68 to a foldable. Nonetheless, I am glad it lastly occurred.

I can use the Pixel 10 Professional Fold with confidence now

Should you have been on the fence in regards to the dear Pixel Fold line, this can be a nice time to improve

That is a part of why the Pixel 10 Professional Fold is so necessary to the smartphone house, given it is the primary foldable to function an IP68 score. Anybody fascinated with shifting from a slab telephone to a foldable now has one much less barrier to consider, and on a private stage, I discover I am not consistently anxious about the place I take Google’s Pixel 10 Professional Fold.

As an alternative, I am simply utilizing it like every other smartphone, whereas additionally making the most of its expansive 8-inch inside display screen, precisely like I ought to be.