While everyone is waiting for Samsung's rumored Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide and Apple's foldable iPhone, those phones might not be the best buys right now. Amazon's Prime Day sale has kicked off, and one of the standout deals is a massive $400 discount on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, bringing the foldable down to just $1,400.

If you're looking for one of the best foldable phones of 2026 and want it at a price that doesn't completely destroy your wallet, this Pixel 10 Pro Fold deal is hard to ignore. Not only does it undercut most competing foldables, but with price increases expected across Samsung's and Apple's upcoming lineups, grabbing a discounted foldable right now feels like a pretty smart move.

✅Recommended if: you want a foldable Android phone at a reasonable price, you value durability, want fast Android updates, and are looking for something that'll comfortably last for years.

❌Skip this deal if: you want top-tier gaming performance, extremely fast charging speeds, or prefer a wider, squarer foldable design.

With smartphone prices continuing to rise across the board, and even higher prices expected from upcoming flagship launches, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold starts making a lot of sense.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is expected to start around $2,000, and Apple's first foldable iPhone likely won't be any cheaper. Meanwhile, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold launched less than a year ago and is already seeing a discount of several hundred dollars. That's what makes this one of the more compelling Prime Day deals around.

And the phone itself is still excellent. You get IP68 water and dust resistance, which remains one of the best durability ratings available on a foldable phone. That means you don't have to worry nearly as much about rain, splashes, or everyday accidents. Similar to the rest of the Pixel 10 lineup, it also comes with built-in Qi2 magnets, allowing it to work with MagSafe-style accessories without needing a special case.

Like other Pixel phones, you also get one of the best software experiences on Android, complete with day-one Android updates. In fact, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is currently one of the only foldables running Android 17, giving you access to features like App Bubbles and the latest multitasking improvements.

Sure, the Tensor G5 isn't the most powerful chip on the market, and if you're buying a foldable primarily for gaming, there are other options out there. The 5,000mAh battery also isn't the largest you'll find in a foldable. But for everyday use, productivity, photography, and media consumption, it's more than capable.

Those compromises become a lot easier to overlook when you're saving this much money. And with newer foldables expected to launch at even higher prices later this year, this might end up being one of the easiest foldable phone deals to recommend during Prime Day.

More Prime Day 2026 - quick links

• Phones: major savings on Pixel, Samsung, and beyond
• Wearables: up to 50% off Garmin, Galaxy Watch, and Fitbit
• Tablets: Galaxy Tab, Kindle, and Amazon Fire tablets from $50
• Chromebooks: discounts on ASUS, HP, and Lenovo
• Smart Home: up to 60% off Alexa devices
• Headphones/earbuds: huge discounts on Beats, Sony, and more
• Smart TVs: cheap smart TVs from $69.99

What you need to know

• Pixel 11 Pro Fold wallpapers have been spotted in Android 17 beta.
• Leak suggests possible green and black color options based on matching wallpaper themes.
• Pixel 11 Pro Fold's design expected to remain largely similar, with only minor tweaks like a slightly thinner build.

The Pixel 11 series might still be months away, but it looks like Google has already started working on the software for its next-generation Pixel phones behind the scenes, as wallpapers for the Pixel 11 Pro Fold have now been spotted in the Android 17 beta.

It's only been a few days since Google released the latest Android 17 developer beta, but while digging through the build, software engineer Dylan Roussel (via Android Authority) managed to extract thumbnail previews of wallpapers believed to be for the upcoming Pixel 11 Pro Fold.

The developer shared two wallpapers included in the build: 'Pine: Tidal Swirl' and 'Midnight: Lunar Tides.' While Google could still change these ahead of launch, they give us a rough idea of what to expect.

Pixel 11 Pro Fold wallpapers show up early

Google usually matches device colors with corresponding wallpapers, and based on these, it looks like the Pixel 11 Pro Fold could come in at least green and black shades. Of course, this is still early, and things could change, but it's an interesting early hint at Google's direction.

It's not uncommon for brands to include assets like wallpapers in early Android builds, but it's still surprising to see them surface this early, especially when we're still months away from the official launch.

As for the rest of the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, earlier leaks suggest Google may stick to a similar design, with only minor refinements like a slightly thinner build and subtle camera module changes compared to the Pixel 10 Pro Fold.

And if you were hoping Google would introduce a wider foldable this year to compete with Samsung's rumored Wide Fold or even Apple's foldable plans, it looks like that might not happen, at least not this time around.

Android Central's Take

Wallpaper leaks might not sound like a big deal, but they usually give us a hint at the colors and overall direction. I'm actually a bit disappointed that no blue wallpaper has shown up yet, especially since it could mean Google is moving away from the Moonstone color — I'm just hoping nothing is finalized this early.

It might feel like it just happened, but believe it or not, we're already likely just a few months away from Samsung's next foldable launch. The company is expected to unveil its new foldable phones this summer, including the Galaxy Z Fold 8. And while there's still some time to go, leaks have already started giving us a rough idea of what to expect.

Apple is also rumored to be entering the foldable space this year, but if you're in the U.S. and looking to buy an Android book-style foldable, your main choices will likely come down to Samsung and Google: the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold.

Even though the Galaxy Z Fold 8 isn't official yet, we already have enough leaks and early details to paint a picture of how it might stack up. So here's a speculative look at how Samsung's next foldable could compare to the Pixel 10 Pro Fold and what you can expect when it finally launches.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Pricing and availability

Samsung usually introduces its new foldable smartphones in the summer, and this year, as well, the company is rumored to launch the Galaxy Z Fold 8 in July. According to a recent leak, Samsung is planning an event in London on July 22, 2026, where it could unveil the Galaxy Z Fold 8, the Galaxy Z Flip 8, and a new Galaxy Wide Fold.

Samsung typically hosts its Unpacked events in South Korea or the U.S., but this time it looks like London might be the venue. As for pricing, there aren't any solid rumors yet, but if the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is anything to go by, the Fold 8 could start at around $1,999 for the base 256GB model.

That said, it wouldn't be surprising to see a price increase this year. Samsung has already raised prices on some of its recent devices, and with rising component and memory costs, foldables could get even more expensive.

On the other hand, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold was announced alongside the Pixel 10 series on August 20, 2025, and later released on October 9, 2025. It starts at $1,799 for the 256GB model and is also available in 512GB and 1TB variants at higher prices.

In terms of colors, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is available in Moonstone and Jade. And if pricing is a key factor, Google has been running promotions that bring the effective price down to around $1,499, making it an even more compelling option compared to Samsung's upcoming foldable, at least for now.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Design and display

Samsung made some big changes to the Galaxy Z Fold design with the Galaxy Z Fold 7, but it looks like the company will keep minimal upgrades for the Galaxy Z Fold 8. A report from Android Headlines, in collaboration with OnLeaks, gave us an early look at the device back in March 2026 through CAD-based renders.

It seems Samsung will stick with a familiar design this year. You'll likely get a triple-camera setup on the back, arranged vertically in a pill-shaped module, along with a clean back and squared edges. On the front, the cover display is expected to be slightly wider, while the inner display could retain a more square aspect ratio when unfolded, similar to the Galaxy Z Fold 7.

Even in terms of dimensions, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is expected to be very close to its predecessor. In fact, some reports suggest it could be slightly thicker than the Fold 7, though there may be a good reason for that, which we'll get to in a bit.

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold, on the other hand, sticks to the same design language as the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. You get a large camera module on the back, a clean glass finish with the 'G' logo, curved edges on one side, a wider cover display, and a slightly wider-than-tall inner display when unfolded.

While we don't have exact dimensions for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 yet, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold will likely remain thicker and heavier. For context, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 came in at around 8.9mm when folded, while the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is about 10.8mm thick and weighs around 258g, so that gives you a rough idea of how they compare.

One area where the Pixel 10 Pro Fold could continue to lead is durability. It offers IP68 dust and water resistance, which is rare for foldables and closer to what we see on traditional smartphones. Samsung, on the other hand, will likely stick with IP48 on the Galaxy Z Fold 8, which still falls behind in this area.

According to leaks, Samsung is expected to keep the same 8-inch inner display and 6.5-inch cover display. The big upgrade this year could be a much less visible crease. We've already seen solutions like the 'zero-feel crease' on devices like the Oppo Find N6, and it looks like Samsung may finally be catching up here, which would be a big win for usability.

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold features a slightly smaller 6.4-inch cover display, but the inner display is also around 8 inches. Both displays can reach up to 3,000 nits of peak brightness, which is not something all foldables currently offer.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Hardware and specs

Samsung traditionally ships the Galaxy Z Fold devices with top-tier chipsets, and I expect the same with the Galaxy Z Fold 8. You can expect it to be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, likely the same "for-Galaxy" variant as the Galaxy S26 Ultra.

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold, on the other hand, is powered by the Tensor G5, the same chip used across the Pixel 10 lineup. It's Google's first TSMC-made 3nm chipset, and while it's a big step up over the Tensor G4 in terms of performance and efficiency, it'll likely still fall behind the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 in raw power.

The good news, though, is that Samsung is reportedly planning to bump the battery capacity of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 to 5,000mAh this year. That would be the biggest jump the Fold series has seen since the Galaxy Z Fold 3 back in 2021.

On top of that, Samsung is also expected to increase charging speeds to 45W, which should help bring down overall charging times.

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold already comes with a 5,000mAh+ battery, so it's still too early to say which one will offer better battery life. But one area where the Pixel clearly has an advantage is charging convenience. It supports PixelSnap, Google's take on Qi2, with built-in magnets, meaning you can use MagSafe accessories without needing a case.

This is something Samsung skipped on the Galaxy S26 Ultra as well, and I don't really see the company changing that approach with the Galaxy Z Fold 8 either. Technically, Qi2 support is included on the S26 Ultra DNA Z Fold 7, but a case is necessary for magnetic charging, which will likely be the case for the Z Fold 8.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Cameras

Samsung upgraded the main camera sensor on the Galaxy Z Fold 7 to 200MP, and this time, with the Galaxy Z Fold 8, it looks like it's focusing on the other two sensors. Leaks suggest Samsung will ship the Galaxy Z Fold 8 with a newer ultra-wide camera, jumping from 12MP to 15MP. Reports also point to a telephoto upgrade from 10MP to 12MP, while keeping the same 3x optical zoom for sharper zoom shots.

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold, on the other hand, comes with a 48MP primary sensor, a 10.5MP ultra-wide, and a 10.8MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom. It's still too early to say which one will perform better, but considering Samsung has been refreshing its camera setup over the past couple of generations, I do expect the Galaxy Z Fold 8 to have an edge here.

That said, we'll be doing a proper camera comparison once the Galaxy Z Fold 8 launches, so keep an eye out for that.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Which will be the best?

Currently, with the upgrades in tow, especially things like a less visible crease and a better chipset, Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 looks poised to offer a better overall experience than the Pixel 10 Pro Fold.

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold is by no means a bad phone, and, given its improved durability, faster Android updates, and nearly 25% lower price, it's still a very solid option. We'll have to wait until the Galaxy Z Fold 8 officially launches to know for sure.

Amazon's Big Spring Sale is coming to a close, but you can snag a great deal on a new foldable phone if you act fast. The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold brought a few respectable upgrades over the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, although it was overshadowed by Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7. The latest Samsung foldable only cost a bit more and was much thinner and lighter, not to mention more powerful. Amazon is now taking $300 off the retail price of a Pixel 10 Pro Fold, and it finally makes the foldable worth buying.

Anything can be a great value at the right price, but the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is much more than that. It's the first foldable ever to launch with IP68 certification in the U.S., giving you full protection against dust and liquids. It's also the first foldable to feature inbuilt Qi2 magnets for charging and accessory connection. Even months post-launch, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is one of a kind, and getting it under $1,500 feels too good to be true.

• See the full list of deals during Amazon's Big Spring Sale - ends March 31st

✅ Recommended if: you need a foldable with a wider cover screen; you want IP68 certification against dust and water ingress; you need built-in Qi2 magnets and MagSafe compatibility.

❌ Skip this deal if: you want a more powerful chip for gaming; you need a thinner and lighter foldable; you already own a Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

Let's get one thing out of the way first — the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold isn't the thinnest or the lightest foldable around. Google makes up for that by adding features to the Pixel 10 Pro Fold you won't find on any other foldable sold in the U.S. The IP68 certification means you don't have to worry about dust or sand getting inside the hinge mechanism and causing trouble.

Meanwhile, MagSafe connectivity ensures simple connection with wallets, stands, and accessories. It also powers 15W fast wireless charging, which helps the phone's 5,015mAh battery capacity stay full. There's more battery here than you'll get from the Galaxy Z Fold 7. Since Samsung's phones don't have MagSafe built-in, you might have to add the feature with a Qi2 case anyway, canceling out any thinness benefits compared to the Pixel 10 Pro Fold.

So, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold does beat the Galaxy Z Fold 7 in a handful of ways — price is chief among them. At full price, Google's foldable is still cheaper than Samsung's. Now that Amazon is taking $300 off the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, it's only $1,499. That's about $500 cheaper than the Galaxy Z Fold 7, and somehow, it's only $200 more than the Galaxy S26 Ultra.

Put simply, it's rate to see current-model foldables this cheap, and you'll want to snag this deal while you can.

What you need to know

• Gemini screen automation is now rolling out to the Pixel 10 series in the U.S. after debuting on Galaxy S26.
• The feature lets Gemini handle tasks like ordering food, booking rides, and placing grocery orders.
• Usage depends on subscription tier, with free users getting about 5 requests and Ultra up to 120 daily.

After rolling out Gemini app control on the Galaxy S26 series, the Google Pixel 10 lineup is now picking up the feature in the U.S.

At the Galaxy Unpacked event in February 2026, Samsung and Google showcased a feature that allows Gemini to handle tasks on your behalf. If you are unfamiliar with it, Gemini screen automation can help with actions like ordering food, calling a cab, or placing grocery orders without you touching your phone.

Soon after the Galaxy S26 series went on sale earlier this month, Samsung began rolling out the feature in the U.S. and Korea. Our editor Nick Sutrich tried it hands-on and described it as "next level automation"

And now, the feature is also arriving on the Pixel 10 series in the U.S. As spotted by 9to5Google first, the feature now available across the entire lineup, including the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold running Android 16 QPR3 stable.

You'll be able to trigger the feature the same way you access Gemini now, either by holding the power button or using the "Hey Google" command. Once activated, Gemini walks through the task step by step on screen in a virtual window, showing what it is doing, and you can take control at any time. It also asks for final confirmation before completing the action.

Users can find the feature in the Gemini app settings under Screen automation. For now, it supports a limited set of apps, including Lyft, Uber, Uber Eats, Grubhub, DoorDash, and Starbucks. Gemini can also ask follow-up questions, such as selecting a drink size or store location when placing an order.

The report also notes that usage limits depend on your Gemini subscription tier. Free users can make around five requests per day, while Gemini Ultra subscribers can go up to 120 requests daily. .

Android Central's Take

It's great to see this feature arriving on more Android phones now. This kind of automation is what agentic AI has been about, and we are finally seeing it in action across multiple phone models. I just cannot wait for Google to roll it out to more regions as well.

What you need to know

• Google is rolling out Pixel Camera version 10.3, which renames the Pro Res Zoom feature on Pixel 10 Pro phones.
• The 100x AI-powered zoom feature on Pixel 10 Pro models is now simply called Pro Zoom in the camera app.
• The name change appears in the Pixel Camera settings, help pages, and Google Store listings for the devices.

Google is rolling out a new update for the Pixel Camera app, and while it doesn't bring major new features, it does simplify the name of the zoom feature on Pixel 10 Pro models.

As first spotted by 9to5Google, Google is rolling out the Pixel Camera app version 10.3 for Pixel phones. The update does not introduce any major UI changes or new features, but the publication noticed that Google has quietly renamed the zoom feature on Pixel 10 Pro models.

When Google launched the Pixel 10 Pro series last year, it introduced an AI-powered 100x zoom feature called Pro Res Zoom. While the Pixel 9 series previously supported up to 30x zoom, the Pixel 10 Pro models increased that to 100x using AI.

Google originally called this feature Pro Res Zoom on Pixel 10 Pro phones, but the company is now renaming it to simply Pro Zoom with the latest Pixel Camera update.

According to the report, the new name appears in Settings > Model download page as well as on the camera help page for the phones. Google has also updated the name on the Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL listings in the Google Store.

Pixel Camera version 10.3 first appeared with the Pixel 10a that launched earlier this month and is now rolling out to other Pixel phones as well. You will need to update the app to see the change in your Pixel Camera interface.

It's also worth noting that this isn't the only camera-related change that Google is rolling out this month. In addition to the 10.3 version of the Pixel Camera app, the Android 16 QPR3 update released earlier this month also fixed a camera crash bug that was reportedly affecting Pixel 9 and newer devices.

What you need to know

• Rumors have cropped up, suggesting the design of the Pixel 11 Pro Fold from Google.
• Apparently, the device could sport a slightly thinner build and subtle changes to its camera housing, which brings its LED flash and microphone into the array.
• Old rumors suggest Google could improve the battery repairability of the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, as a patent showed a "metal frame" and springs to hold it, rather than glue.

The week's getting off to a fast start with a report that claims to have discovered Google's renderings for the Pixel 11 Pro Fold.

Social media tipster OnLeaks reportedly found Google's Pixel 11 Pro Fold renderings and collaborated with Android Headlines to break the news. From the tipster's findings, the next book-style foldable from Google is seemingly preparing to debut with a similar design. The cover display appears relatively unchanged in these images of the phone in a (potential) Moonstone colorway. It seems consumers are still in for generous rounded corners and a centered punch-hole selfie camera.

Inside the phone, the images purport a selfie camera positioned to the right, nestled in the corner. This keeps things in line with the Fold is days past. However, the subtle changes come in when the tipster "reveals" the Pixel 11 Pro Fold's rear panel. Google may change its raised camera housing by widening it to fit the phone's LED flash and a microphone, per the report.

Additionally, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold's pill-shaped camera housing seems a little raised—at least, for the lenses. The 10 Pro Fold's lenses are flush to the housing; however, OnLeaks suggests these could be raised a bit, giving the housing a tiered look. Lastly, Google's putting thin on the docket for its future foldable. Supposedly, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold will be thinner than its would-be predecessor, down to 10.1mm from 10.8mm.

Early days

Pixel 11 Pro Fold rumors have been lighter than air, but a report last year suggested we might be in for a design change. Google's top executives were interviewed, and they confirmed that its Pixel designs could change in 2026 and 2027. What's been alleged for the Pixel 11 Pro Fold lines up with this (if it's true). However, the company also stated that it was more focused on its software and AI features within its Pixel line, rather than what's on the surface.

A more Pixel 11 Pro Fold-focused leak from January claims Google might've gotten its battery issues under control. Specifically, this leak talked about the foldable's battery repairability, which could see an improvement thanks to a "metal frame" that will hold its batteries, instead of the old glue. This was discovered in a patent, so take that with a grain of salt.

Android Central's Take

Google's foldable already has quite a sleek, cool design—in my opinion. Of course, we'd like to see some things change about it, just because it's a new phone coming out, so something has to be different, right? I feel that—though these are rumors—the changes look good for what they are. Shifting certain camera elements into the housing cleans up the space. When it comes to the thinner aspect, perhaps we should've expected that. Google's trying to keep pace with its competitors (think Samsung). I feel like that'll be fine, so long as Google doesn't sacrifice anything that makes its Fold worth it.

One of my favorite features of the Google Pixel Tablet is its ability to turn into a clock, weather station, Google Photos slideshow, and even a smart home control center while docked on its charging stand. Google upgraded all Pixels with this functionality some time ago, but it turns out Pixels have even more awesome alarm clock-like functions than I initially realized.

The Google Pixel 10 series particularly brings out this feature with its built-in Pixelsnap magnets, which can easily attach to a supported wireless charger to ensure your Pixel doesn't slide off the charger in the middle of the night. You don't need a wireless charger to get all the best alarm clock functions to work, but they usually work best since the best Pixelsnap chargers usually prop the phone up at an angle that's easy to see from your pillow.

Let's begin by enabling the handy "screen saver" function on your Pixel when you charge it.

Bringing back the 90's screen saver

I audibly laughed the first time Google reintroduced the screen saver functionality in Android 7, as it brought back memories of watching flying toasters move across the screen on my childhood Windows 95 PC. But modern screen savers aren't just there to prevent your screen from burn-in; they serve a much more practical function.

They're designed to deliver glanceable information while your phone is charging, and they can come in handy on your bedside table. I've included some photos of the default options above, but find that I prefer the simple "Everyday Clock" option for a nighttime clock. Note that you can place the phone in landscape or portrait mode and your Pixel will rotate the display, as needed.

Here's how to enable the Pixel screen saver:

1.) Open system settings. You can do this from the app drawer on the home screen, or by pulling down on your status bar twice, then tapping the settings gear at the bottom.

2.) Navigate to Display & Touch.

3.) Tap Screen saver.

4.) Tap the toggle next to Use screen saver.

5.) Tap When to show.

6.) Select Restrict to wireless charging if you only want the screen saver to appear when wirelessly charging the phone. This is best if you're using it like an alarm clock.

7.) Go back to the main screen saver settings and toggle Low light mode if you only want the screen saver to turn on at night when the room is dark.

Now that you have the screen saver enabled, it's time to customize it! Google currently offers 5 different options for screen savers: Everyday Clock (digital), Google Photos, Home Controls, Pilot Bold Clock (analog), and Weather.

All of these options can be customized, including the theme to keep things extra dark at night. Once you've found the screen saver style you like, click the Customize button on the selected screen saver's tile. Then, you'll tap Theme at the bottom. I recommend selecting the Auto theme, as it'll automatically switch between light and dark depending on what your phone is using.

Now, when you dock your Google Pixel phone onto a wireless charging dock (or wired, if that's your preference), it'll automatically display the screen saver when the screen goes to sleep. If you're having trouble getting the screen saver to work, lock your phone, then turn the screen on while it's still locked before you plug it in or dock it.

This will ensure the screen saver starts once the screen goes to sleep again. This really shouldn't ever happen, but I've seen it be a bit buggy from time to time, and this seemed to always work for me.

Now for the "alarm" part

OK, so now your Pixel is showing a clock, the weather, or something else when it's docked, but how about that "alarm" part of the equation? Turns out, Pixel software supports a ton of mega awesome alarm functions, including playing white noise or music at bed time, slowly waking you up with a sunrise alarm, and even showing you the weather forecast for the day once the alarm goes off.

This kind of functionality is not only fun, but it's also the best way to slowly wake up and feel refresh in the morning in a more natural way. You can choose to enable bedtime functions, wake-up functions, or both. Here's how you enable everything:

1.) Open the clock app.

2.) Tap the Bedtime tab at the bottom.

3.) We'll start by enabling bedtime functions. Under the Schedule section, tap Bedtime.

4.) Select your preferred bedtime, any days you want to select (the whole week is selected by default), and any other options you like here. Hit Next when you're satisfied.

5.) Now, tap the Wake-up section and select the time and days you want to be woken up.

6.) I prefer the Sunrise alarm option, which will slowly illuminate the screen and gradually increase the alarm's volume over a period of a few minutes. This emulates the feeling of a sunrise, birds chirping, etc.

7.) You can also select Weather forecast here to have your Pixel give you a forecast after you've dismissed the alarm. Hit Next when you're done.

8.) Now you can select Sleep sounds from the main menu. If you've already chosen a sleep sound, tap the Choose another sound button to reselect things.

9.) From here, you can select one of the built-in sounds or use your favorite music service like YouTube Music, Spotify, Apple Music, and more. I used YouTube Music and searched for White Noise for Sleeping 12 Hours.

Now you've got a bonafide alarm clock replacement, complete with sleep sounds, a sunrise alarm, and customizable display. It's a huge improvement over the classic digital or analog options, especially since it ensures that your phone is fully charged and ready to go by the time you wake up.

Before you go, may I make one more setting suggestion? Adaptive Charging will help prolong your Pixel's battery longevity by only charging to full right before your alarm goes off, ensuring that it doesn't get overcharged. To enable adaptive charging, follow these steps:

1.) Open system settings.

2.) Tap the search bar at the top, then type in charging.

3.) Tap Adaptive Charging from the list.

4.) Enable Use charging optimization and select Adaptive Charging from the list below.

Now, your Pixel is ready to go by morning with a fully recharged battery for both you and your phone. Restricting charging to 80% max has been proven to further prolong battery health, which might be something to think about if you plan to hold on to your phone for four or more years before upgrading. Sweet dreams!

What you need to know

• Google is working on expanding Magic Cue with new integrations like Google Wallet and Google Tasks on Pixel 10.
• Leaked settings show upcoming support for tickets, passes, and tasks pulled directly from Wallet and Tasks.
• Google has not announced the feature yet, but its presence in settings suggests a rollout could happen soon.

Google is reportedly working on a major upgrade for Magic Cue on the Pixel 10 series, with new integrations like Google Tasks and Google Wallet coming soon, according to a new leak.

Magic Cue on the Pixel 10 is easily one of the best AI features Google has introduced with its latest flagship lineup. It pulls in data from various Google apps on your phone and surfaces relevant information exactly when you need it.

For example, if you've details about an upcoming flight saved in Gmail and you are texting someone about that trip, Magic Cue can surface the relevant flight info right then and there without you having to search for it manually.

Now, according to a leak shared by Telegram user Kieron Quinn (via Android Authority), Google is working on making Magic Cue even more useful. The leak suggests that Magic Cue will soon gain access to data from additional Google apps, including Google Wallet and Google Tasks.

Google is quietly expanding what Magic Cue can do

Toggles for these new integrations reportedly showed up for the user in the Magic Cue settings on a Pixel 10 device. With Wallet and Tasks support, Magic Cue could surface things like boarding passes, tickets, and payment cards from Wallet, along with reminders and to-dos from Google Tasks whenever they are contextually relevant.

These new apps would join an already growing list of Magic Cue integrations. At the moment, Magic Cue can pull data from apps such as Pixel Screenshots, Gmail, Messages, Keep, Contacts, and Calendar, and adding Wallet and Tasks should make it even more powerful.

Google has not officially announced the new integrations yet, and the feature doesn't appear to be live at the moment. That said, the fact that it is already showing up in the settings on a Pixel 10 device suggests it could start rolling out sooner rather than later. We'll keep you updated once Google makes it official.

Motorola easily had one of the best product launches at CES 2026, and while it might not have been the coolest CES tech, it was certainly an important one. Lenovo unveiled the new Motorola Razr Fold during its press conference, making it the first book-style foldable from the company. Up until now, the Razr line had only been flip phones, but it finally got its first true book-style foldable.

Our first impressions of the Razr Fold have been largely positive, and now that we finally have a price and launch date, it competes really well against the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold.

Armed with an impressive design and some of the best software you'll find on any Android phone, is the Razr Fold competitive enough to take it on? Let's dive in.

Motorola Razr Fold vs. Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Design and display

The Razr Fold should be noticeably slimmer and lighter than the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. When unfolded, it measures 4.55mm, and it's 9.89mm when folded. It's also quite a bit lighter at 243 grams. While not as slim or light as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, it's a step up over the Pixel. It even has rock-solid waterproofing with an IP48/ IP49 rating. There isn't much in terms of dust proofing, though, as it lags behind the Pixel 10 Pro Fold's IP68 rating.

The two colors of the Motorola Razr Fold have their own distinct finishes. The Pantone Lily White has a silky finish, while the Blackend Blue variant has a diamond piqué-inspired finish. The rear camera bulge is quite pronounced, too, which is evident when you view the phone from the top.

The displays look pretty solid from whatever time we spent with the phone, and the numbers don't lie. There's a 6.6-inch pOLED outer screen and an 8.1-inch OLED folding screen with a 2K resolution. Both displays can hit a peak brightness of 6,000 nits. The outer screen gets a 165Hz refresh rate while the inner one tops out at 120Hz. Both are 10-bit panels, and the outer display gets Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 3.

The Motorola Razr Fold also supports an S Pen-like stylus called the Moto Pen Ultra, which can be purchased separately for $99.

The design of the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold is similar to the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Unfortunately, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold should be thicker than the Razr Fold, measuring 5.2mm when unfolded and 10.8mm when folded. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold is also likely heavier at 258 grams. In terms of ergonomics and carrying comfort, the Razr Fold should easily win.

The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold has a slightly smaller 6.4-inch cover screen but a high peak brightness of around 3,000 nits. There's an 8-inch folding display with the same peak brightness level. Both displays perform very well in outdoor sunlight, and we had no issues with legibility during testing.

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold is the first foldable phone to feature an IP68 water- and dust-resistant rating. Like the Razr Fold, the Pixel also comes in just two shades with similar finishes.

Motorola Razr Fold vs. Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Hardware and specs

The Motorola Razr Fold is priced at $1,899.99 and comes in a single variant with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. This puts it on par with the Pixel 10 Pro Fold's 512GB variant, which also costs $1,919. The Pixel also has 256GB and 1TB storage options, though, which means the entry point for this phone is a bit lower. However, keep in mind that Motorola is known to drastically slash the prices of its phones during sales or even a few months after launch, so I fully expect a more attractive price very soon.

The main chipset in the Motorola Razr Fold is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5. It's still a flagship, but not the uppermost tier like the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold uses Google's own Tensor G5 chip, which has improved over the G4 but is still nowhere near the performance of the Snapdragon.

If you'll be doing heavy multitasking, gaming, or using resource-intensive apps, my bet would be on the Razr Fold to do a much better job.

Motorola has managed to squeeze in a massive 6,000mAh battery in the Razr Fold which is a 1,000mAh more than the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. Charging speed is also way higher than the 30W that the Pixel has. The Razr Fold can charge at 80W TurboPower wired charging and 50W wireless charging. There's no Qi2 magnet though sadly, which is somethig the Pixel 10 Pro Fold can brag about.

Motorola Razr Fold vs. Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Cameras

It's weird, but you'd think Google's most expensive phone would have the best cameras, but that's not the case. Sadly, Google refuses to use the same sensors from the Pro/Pro XL models on the Fold, and as a result, it misses out on some great features like ProRes Zoom. The actual quality of the images is pretty good, though, and it's hard to complain. The front cameras on the outer and inner screens aren't particularly great as they are just 10MP sensors.

Motorola, on the other hand, has gone all out, equipping the Razr Fold with an impressive spec sheet. You get three 50MP sensors on the back, two of which are from the Sony LYTIA series, which have proven to be very good in the past. There's even a 3x telephoto lens on the back, which should give you good zoom shots, but probably not as good as the Pixel 10 Pro Fold's 5x optical zoom.

The front cameras on the Razr Fold are quite impressive, too, with a 32MP sensor on the outer screen and a 20MP sensor on the folding display. The Razr Fold has a good shot of outshining the Pixel 10 Pro Fold when it comes to imaging, but we'll know for sure once we've tested both side by side.

Motorola Razr Fold vs. Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Software

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold ships with Android 16 and receives seven years of software updates, including OS upgrades and security patches. For the first time, Motorola has managed to match this software update commitment with the Razr Fold. The one thing that remains to be seen is if we'll get these updates in a timely manner.

The Razr Fold comes with the usual Hello UX apps and customizations, along with "flexible layouts" for this new form factor, such as Laptop Mode. Motorola's product page for the Razr Fold shows one use case where the phone is horizontally placed on a table, half-open, with a person typing a to-do list on a split-screen keyboard.

The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold's software experience is highly polished, predictable, and reliable. Plus, Google keeps adding new features every quarter with Pixel Drop updates. There are also plenty of AI features to keep you occupied. Google still lags behind in terms of multitasking, though, as you're still limited to using just two apps on the folding screen at a time.

Motorola Razr Fold vs. Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Which one should you buy?

Motorola certainly has the more tempting foldable of the two, spec-wise. It's slimmer, lighter, has better waterproofing, way brighter displays, and more potent cameras. Plus, Motorola matches Google in its long-term software commitment and has a faster processor, which will be handy for tasks like gaming. Even with the ongoing component shortage crisis, the pricing is kind of competitive.

A few big unknowns that still remain are: how the Razr Fold will hold up with everyday use a year from now, given that this is Motorola's first book-style foldable. Secondly, can Motorola deliver timely OS upgrades for the next seven years?

One thing going in the Pixel 10 Pro Fold's favor right now is Google's exclusive features that it reserves for its Pixel phones. Plus, the IP68 rating ensures your phone is properly dustproof. The cameras are not the best, though, and it's going to be quite a handful to carry around.

I really do want Motorola to succeed with the Razr Fold, as the U.S. market has limited options right now for this style of foldables. They've got the specs and pricing sorted; now it's time to deliver on that software promise.

What you need to know

• A leak claims to have found a Google patent that showcases an improved battery design for a future Pixel Fold.
• This design would swap out the old, clunky glue for a "metal frame" that the battery would sit inside, as well as springs to help pin it down.
• Rumors speculate this could be what Google chases for the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, but nothing is set in stone.
• The Pixel 10 Pro Fold's durability was called into question last year when the phone exploded during a test.

The repairability of phones nowadays has become more important, but when it comes to foldables, like Google's Pixel Fold, things could be better.

In collaboration with xLeaks7, HyperTxt discovered a new Google patent that could indicate good news for the battery in its next foldable (via Android Headlines). According to the publication, Google's patent supposedly held details about a rework for how its battery is packaged in the device. Specifically, the company might chase a "removable battery" strategy, as opposed to one that's glued.

The publication, tipster collab discovered that Google could deploy "Shear stops." It was stated that this could "prevent the battery from sliding inside the smartphone frame."

The post claims that the patent went into more detail, stating that, since there's no glue, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold's battery could be slipped into a "metal battery frame." Early information purports that this is a chassis that the battery would sit inside, carrying the "electrical ground and adds strength." Moreover, Google could implement a spring-loaded mechanism.

These springs would help press the battery against the device's metal frame to ensure maximum connection.

The publication highlights this as a positive change, considering that glue can end up becoming a repairability nightmare over time. Take this with a grain of salt; there's no clear indication that this battery change will arrive for the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, as patents are never a true telltale sign.

Maybe it'll be better next time

A future Pixel Pro Fold with enhanced durability is probably in Google's best interest, especially after it failed Zach Nelson's (JerryRigEverything) test.

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold, as most phones do, underwent Nelson's gruesome durability gauntlet, and it wasn't the same. The hinge on the device raised some serious concerns. When it came to the bend test, the device snapped in half, much like the generation prior. While the hinge itself didn't break, cracks were apparent on its sides.

More importantly, the device exploded.

Nelson stated in the video that the battery had enough and that "surprisingly, in the decade that I’ve been durability testing phones, I have never had a smartphone explode before." Other durability concerns were present, such as with the 11 Pro Fold's internal display, which could be damaged with just a fingernail.

It goes without saying that terrible durability and repairability can be a nightmare for the device, as well as the consumer's wallet.

What you need to know

• Google Pixel shipments grew 25% in 2025, but the brand still trails far behind Apple and Samsung globally.
• Apple led global smartphone growth in 2025, boosted by strong iPhone sales and expansion in emerging markets.
• Samsung shipments grew year over year, but its global market share slipped as competition intensified.
• Smartphone shipments may decline in 2026 due to DRAM shortages and expected price hikes.

According to a new report, Google had a strong 2025, with Pixel sales growing by around 25%. Despite that growth, the data shows that the Pixel brand still trails well behind Apple and Samsung in overall shipments.

Counterpoint Research has released its global smartphone shipment report for 2025, stating that overall smartphone shipments grew 2% year over year compared to 2024. Apple emerged as the biggest beneficiary, with the report claiming the Cupertino company saw a 10% year-over-year increase in shipments, pushing its global market share to 20%.

The report attributes Apple's performance to a strong product mix from the iPhone 16 and iPhone 17 lineup, along with increased traction in emerging and mid-sized markets. This growth came at the expense of some Android brands, as Samsung's market share slipped to 19% in 2025 from 20% in 2024, despite shipments growing by nearly 5% year over year.

A good year for Pixel, but still a long road ahead

Google, meanwhile, enjoyed a standout year. Driven by the Pixel 9 and Pixel 10 series, Pixel shipments grew 25% in 2025 compared to the previous year. That said, Google still remains under the "Others" category in the report, a segment that actually saw its overall market share decline by 1%.

The report also notes that Nothing recorded strong momentum, with shipments increasing by nearly 31% in 2025, though it too remained part of the "Others" category. Among other Android brands, Xiaomi held onto the third spot with a 13% market share, while Vivo posted a modest 3% year-over-year increase in shipments.

Looking ahead, Counterpoint warns that overall smartphone shipments could decline in 2026 due to DRAM shortages and as chipmakers prioritize AI data centers over smartphones. Price hikes may also play a role, with Samsung reportedly considering increases for its upcoming Galaxy S26 series.

What you need to know

• Google is preparing to expand Quick Share and AirDrop interoperability beyond Pixel 10 to the Pixel 9 series.
• The feature was spotted in an Android Canary build, with Pixel 9 and 9 Pro firmware now including cross-sharing files.
• Although present in firmware, the feature is not active yet and may roll out via Android 16 QPR3 or Android 17.

Google has so far kept Quick Share interoperability with Apple's AirDrop exclusive to the Pixel 10 series, but it looks like the feature is now on its way to the Pixel 9 lineup.

Back in late 2025, Google announced that Quick Share would work with Apple's AirDrop. This allowed users to send and receive files between an iPhone and a Pixel 10 device using Android 16's native Quick Share feature without any workarounds. After keeping the feature exclusive to the Pixel 10 series for over a month, Google now seems to be expanding support to the Pixel 9 series.

Pixel 9 looks next in line for AirDrop support

Google released a new Android Canary build on January 8, 2026. While the update does not introduce many user-facing features, it adds the same system files that enabled Quick Share and AirDrop cross-sharing on the Pixel 10 series to the Pixel 9 firmware.

The change was first spotted by Android Authority, which reports that these files are not present on the mid-range Pixel 9a and are limited to the Pixel 9 and higher-end Pixel 9 Pro models.

The files are also missing from older Pixel models like the Pixel 8 and Pixel 7 series. That does not necessarily mean those devices will never receive AirDrop and Quick Share interoperability, but it suggests Google is not ready to enable the feature on them just yet. Google has previously stated that support for older Pixel phones will arrive at a later date.

For now, the feature does not actually work on the Pixel 9 series despite the files being present, indicating Google still needs to enable the functionality on its end. It is possible the company is targeting a future Android 16 QPR3 update, or it could delay the feature until Android 17. We will share more details as they become available.

What you need to know

• Google may soon allow firmware updates for the Pixelsnap wireless charger.
• Code strings spotted in the Pixel Stand app suggest users will be able to view and check Pixelsnap charger firmware versions.
• It is unclear what updates will bring, but evidence suggests Pixelsnap charger updates are coming shortly.

Google might soon make its Pixelsnap wireless charger updatable, similar to how other Pixel accessories receive updates.

Alongside the Pixel 10 series, Google introduced new Qi2 accessories for its latest lineup, with Pixel 10 phones among the first smartphones to support Qi2 out of the box under the Pixelsnap branding. The company launched several accessories, including a Pixelsnap Ring Stand, Pixelsnap cases, and a Pixelsnap wireless charger.

The Pixelsnap charger closely resembles Apple's official MagSafe charger, featuring a circular design and an aluminum build. And, just as Apple periodically rolls out updates for its MagSafe chargers, Google could soon begin pushing firmware updates for the Pixelsnap wireless charger.

As spotted by 9to5Google in the latest Pixel Stand app version 2.2.0.834194002 on the Pixel 10 series, several strings suggest Google is working on firmware update support for the Pixelsnap charger. These strings reference options like "Firmware version," "Attach your Pixelsnap charger to view your device's firmware version," and "Checking firmware, this may take a few minutes," indicating user-facing update functionality.

Currently, in Settings > Connected devices on Pixel 10 phones, attaching a Pixelsnap accessory only shows options such as "Forget this device" and "Do Not Disturb while docked."

However, Google may soon add the ability to view the charger's firmware version, as hinted by the newly discovered strings. The code also references a support page, though it does not yet include any public information about Pixelsnap firmware updates.

It remains unclear whether Google has already been silently updating Pixelsnap chargers or if this is a new feature still in development. That said, the presence of these strings strongly suggests firmware updates for the Pixelsnap charger are coming soon.

What changes or improvements these updates will bring is still unknown, but we should learn more once updates begin rolling out.

Foldable phones were supposed to be the next big thing in the smartphone industry. Early 5-year forecasts were aggressive, with double-digit growth and fast bites into market share. However, the predictions tempered as shipments softened from the initial peaks, and the foldable market’s unit share never exceeded 1.6% of total smartphones.

As the year ends, foldables are expected to grow by just 10% YoY in 2025, as per IDC’s latest forecast, a growth lower than the record figures observed in the initial years of the technology. Still, the form factor refuses to stay down, and the tide is turning in favor of foldables.

Although the first foldable phones launched with book-style designs, flip models quickly became the dominant form factor — driven by their lower price points and, perhaps, the nostalgia of flip feature phones. It wasn’t until 2025 that fold models captured the lead with 53% of market share in the category.

Android brands, led by Samsung, Honor, Oppo, and Google, leveraged their latest foldable models, determined to challenge the $1,000+ premium segment long dominated by Apple, which lacked a foldable offering.

How new engineering just eliminated the foldables’ biggest flaw

At the same time, incremental breakthroughs in design and durability began redefining the innovation game, giving foldables a stronger edge. For example, the Honor Magic V5 is the thinnest foldable on the market, with a folded thickness of 8.8mm and an unfolded thickness of 4.1mm.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 measures 8.9mm when folded and 4.2mm when unfolded. Compare this to the 17.1mm/7.6mm original Galaxy Fold launched in 2019 and to the 12.1mm/5.6mm Galaxy Z Fold 6 launched in 2024. Even if compared to a non-foldable in Galaxy line-up, it beats Samsung’s thinnest S25 Edge in its unfolded form.

In terms of durability, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 promises to withstand up to 500,000 folds thanks to enhanced materials and a hinge design, while the Galaxy Z Fold 6 could only handle 200,000 folds. This means a 10-year durability for an average user for the latest version.

These comparisons show that the consumers’ biggest concern — bulkiness — is no longer a limiting factor. Foldables are slimmer, far more durable, and built to last, making them worth the premium price.

The bold new form factor igniting global demand

The comeback narrative doesn’t stop there. Huawei pushes the foldable concept with the world’s first trifold smartphone, running Harmony OS and available globally in 2025. The display is double-folded to 10.2 inches and achieves a thickness of 3.6mm when unfolded.

With Huawei’s trifold design setting a bold precedent, Samsung responds to the competition by unveiling the Galaxy Z TriFold in December 2025. The 10-inch, 3.9mm-thin TriFold’s in-store and online stock sold out in record time during its initial launch in Korea, hinting at a spark to re-ignite strong consumer demand for foldables.

Indeed, Samsung’s Galaxy Z TriFold signals a new phase for foldables. It is the first trifold phone powered by Android and backed by Samsung, the leading name in the foldable category. With its global reach and strong brand power, Samsung is positioned to bring trifold technology to mainstream users faster than Huawei.

Lacking Android and Google services, Huawei faces entry barriers in markets outside China and, hence, targets China primarily with its Mate XT and Mate XTs trifolds. Despite this setback, together, both models captured a 3.6% unit share of the foldable market in the first three quarters of 2025, while selling over 740,000 units and generating a massive $2B in revenue since their launch. These shares and figures are incredible, given that both models are priced and sold at a hefty $2,500.

The 2026 turning point: What happens when Apple finally enters the arena?

As trifold foldables captivate consumers, the real turning point looms in 2026: Apple finally steps into the foldable arena, forecasted to gain a 22% unit share and 34% value share of the foldables market in its first year, according to IDC.

Apple’s ability to sell on a scale to a loyal customer base will certainly translate into healthier growth for the entire foldable space. Indeed, the latest forecast from IDC predicts a staggering 30% growth for the total foldable market in 2026.

The impact will influence the Android foldable segment. Possibly not immediately, but surely over the medium term, greater consumer awareness, renewed channel interest, and incentives for investment across the supply chain will also benefit Android foldables, the cornerstone of the category.

Apple’s entry, therefore, will not shrink the Android foldable market; instead, it will drive demand higher and accelerate the momentum already building with trifolds.

The AI multiplier: Why two screens are better than one

Finally, artificial intelligence is emerging as a strong technological tailwind for foldables. The form factor naturally complements AI-driven use cases, powered by the latest processors on the market and with displays that expand when the task demands it.

Larger screens enable more efficient ways for multitasking, content creation, and contextual assistance. As AI becomes more central to everyday use, foldables are positioned to gain a meaningful advantage.

The foldable journey has had its ups and downs, marked by early hype, tempered expectations, and now a resurgence fueled by innovation and competition. Slimmer designs, improved durability, and the arrival of trifolds are restoring momentum to the category.

Apple’s 2026 entry is expected to accelerate this shift and help unfold a new opportunity for the foldables category.

About IDC

IDC is a leading global provider of technology research, insights, and events. With a network of more than 1,000 analysts across over 100 countries, IDC delivers trusted intelligence on tech markets, trends, and opportunities to help businesses and IT leaders make informed decisions. Learn more today at IDC.com.

What you need to know

• Google has finally brought a foldable-optimized camera layout to the Pixel 9 Pro Fold after debuting it on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold.
• The updated Camera app allows scrolling through recent photos on the left while shooting with the familiar viewfinder on the right.
• The app update is now rolling out.

If you own a Pixel 9 Pro Fold, you can now finally preview your photos on the left half of the screen while using the right half as the viewfinder.

While foldable phones offer plenty of great use-case scenarios, such as a bigger inner display for watching content and using two apps side by side so you don't have to switch between them repeatedly, I really appreciate it when apps are optimized for foldables from the start.

Most apps like Gmail, Maps, Evernote, and many others are optimized to take full advantage of the inner foldable display. Similarly, the camera app on many foldable phones, such as the Oppo Find N5, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, and even the Vivo X Fold 5, offers a feature that splits the camera into two halves, with the viewfinder on the right and previews of recent shots on the left.

While most foldable smartphone makers have offered this feature, Google surprisingly missed out. The company finally addressed this with the launch of the Pixel 10 Pro Fold in August 2025, offering a similar feature. However, despite sharing much in common, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold kept this feature exclusive for several months.

Pixel 9 Pro Fold finally gets a proper camera split-view

Now, Google appears to be rolling out this feature to the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. As spotted by Android Authority, the Camera app now allows users to split the app into two halves, using one as a preview and the other as a viewfinder.

In the updated view, you can preview photos on the left half of the screen and scroll through them if you've taken multiple shots, while using the right side as the viewfinder. The right-side viewfinder mirrors the same camera layout seen on the vertical cover screen.

To enable this feature, you'll see a new button appear to the left of the shutter button, showing multiple tiles. To view all your photos, the Camera app also includes a handy Google Photos shortcut under the preview section on the left side.

The update seems to be rolling out to the Pixel 9 Pro Fold now, so you can check it out by updating the Camera app.

What you need to know

• Pixel 10's Android 16 QPR2 update appears to break compatibility with the older Pixel Stand wireless charger.
• Users report the Pixel Stand flashing error lights and failing to charge Pixel 10 devices after the update.
• Google never officially supported Pixel Stand for Pixel 10, but it worked earlier until this recent update.

Google recently rolled out the Android 16 QPR2 update for the Pixel 10 series. While the update adds a number of features to the new flagship lineup, including auto-themed icons and AI-powered notification summaries, it also seems to have killed support for the Pixel Stand wireless charger.

Google debuted the Pixel 10 series as the first flagship Android phones with Qi2 wireless charging support. Alongside native Qi2 charging, Google also launched its own lineup of Qi2 accessories called Pixelsnap, which includes a new wireless charger and stand designed for the Pixel 10.

Naturally, Google ended support for the older Pixel Stand (2nd Gen) for the Pixel 10, considering the company needed to push its new wireless chargers and the fact that the second-gen Pixel Stand topped out at 7.5W, leading to slow charging speeds and overheating, while the new Pixelsnap chargers deliver up to 25W.

Pixel 10 update quietly breaks Pixel Stand support

However, many users found that at the perfect angle, the Pixel Stand still worked with the Pixel 10 series. But now, users on Reddit are reporting that after the Android 16 QPR2 update, the Pixel Stand (2nd Gen) no longer works with their devices.

As spotted by PiunikaWeb, users say that after the update, the Pixel Stand flashes orange and white whenever a Pixel 10 is placed on it. This wasn't the case earlier, but the charger now reportedly throws an error when attempting to charge. This means that Google has intentionally broken support for Pixel Stand in the latest Android update.

It's worth noting that the issue is limited to Pixel 10 series devices, and Google has always stated that the Pixel Stand doesn't officially support the Pixel 10. It worked until now, but the latest update seems to have introduced a change that breaks compatibility.

If you're looking for a new wireless charger, you might want to pick up one of the new Qi2 wireless chargers to make sure your device charges at maximum speed without any issues.

When it comes to finding the best Black Friday deals, it sure feels like looking for a needle in a haystack. But then there are deals that jump out and make me want to share them with anyone and everyone who will listen, and this Pixel 10 Pro Fold deal that falls in that latter category.

We have no idea when this deal expires, but you can currently get Google's latest foldable for an incredible ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS off. Did I need to scream that? Well, actually, yes. The phone was JUST released in October, and has already earned itself a soft spot with me.

Okay, so what's the catch?

In order to save $1,000 on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, you'll need to either add a new line, upgrade an existing line, or open an account with T-Mobile. Shocking, I know, but it's just the way the cookie crumbles sometimes. From there, you'll also need to have a phone to trade in, with many recent flagship phones qualifying for the full discount.

However, even if you don't have one of last year's best phones, that doesn't mean you shouldn't at least try to trade in your existing phone. That's because T-Mobile is offering six trade-in promotions at the time of this writing, with savings starting at $500. So you've still got a decent chance of saving a bunch of money on the 10 Pro Fold no matter what.

Reading this, you might be wondering if I'm just being a bit over-the-top about how good this deal is, but that's not entirely the case. Truthfully, I LOVE seeing great deals on my favorite foldable phones, because it immediately squashes one of the most common hurdles that people face: the price.

While Google didn't raise the price of the Pixel 10 Pro Fold over its predecessor, the $1,800 price tag can be a tough pill to swallow, even when the payments are split up and added to your monthly bill. So with this deal, instead of shelling out enough money to cover a month of rent for a one-bedroom apartment somewhere, you're getting a 10 Pro Fold for the price of a Pixel 10!

Going hand in hand with the price hurdle is the concern about durability with foldable phones in general. We can thank Google for this one, as it looks to squash any worries for those considering the 10 Pro Fold, thanks to its IP68 water- and dust-resistance rating.

Frankly, I thought Samsung might've gotten there first with the Galaxy Z Fold 7, especially after removing the S Pen digitizer. Nope! It was Google, although I suspect this will change when Samsung releases the Galaxy Z Fold 8 sometime next year.

To this point, I've been pretty glowing on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, but even with the improved durability and premium design, it's far from perfect. My biggest complaint has been how it lacks the flagship camera experience you would find with the Pixel 10 Pro XL or Galaxy S25 Ultra.

I mean, Samsung managed to make its foldable thinner than a #2 pencil, but upgraded the primary camera to feature the same 200MP lens as the Galaxy S25 Ultra. You'll find no such luck with the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, and that's just downright disappointing, regardless of how much you spend on this foldable phone.

I was hoping that since Google wasn't going to introduce a completely new redesign, it would at least implement the same sensors as the 10 Pro, but it just wasn't meant to be.

My other issue is definitely a "first-world" problem, but it's that there is some wonky stuff going on with gaming performance on the Tensor G5. Apparently, it has something to do with the GPU drivers, and Google claims those drivers will be updated at some point in time. The downside is that we just don't know when that will be, meaning that it's a tough recommendation if you were excited about the expected gains that were supposed to be introduced with the Tensor G5.

So while it's not perfect, and it might not even be on your radar, we're talking about saving $1,000 on a phone that's only about a month old. Let me put it this way: I was already considering switching from Verizon to T-Mobile, and this deal is so good that it might actually push me over the edge.

FAQ

What you need to know about the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold battery life

As is the case with most phones, the actual length of time that your phone's battery will last is dependent on how you use it. So if the Pixel 10 Pro Fold resides on your desk or in a bag for most of the day, even with notifications left enabled, the phone will easily last for a day or two. On the flip side, if you have an affinity for using Google's latest foldable for everything from gaming to catching up on your favorite show, expect that number to drop pretty dramatically.

Of course, there are also other variables at play here, such as the apps that you use on a daily basis, in addition to things like whether the phone's connected to Wi-Fi all day, or if you're running beta software. However, it's also worth pointing out that no matter what you do, you'll likely experience somewhat poor battery life for the first week or two. This is because your phone is learning how you use it in order to provide tailored optimizations.

As for "real world" results, we tested the Pixel 10 Pro Fold for our review, resulting in some rather obvious findings. For one, the battery drained at a rate of about 15% per hour when using the inner display, which dropped to just below 10% per hour when only using the Cover Screen.

Extrapolating out the results of the test, we found that the 10 Pro Fold would last for "about 8 hours with only the inner display, or a little more than 11 with the cover screen." While these aren't the most impressive results, it's still quite a bit better than what you would find when comparing the Pixel 10 Pro Fold's battery life to other foldable phones.

But what about when the juice runs out, or you're getting low, and you need to recharge the Pixel 10 Pro Fold? Thankfully, Google upgraded the charging experience, as the Pixel 10 Pro Fold supports up to 39W fast wired charging. As such, Google claims the phone will gain about 50% in 30 minutes "when using a 30W USB-C charger." However, this number can be improved even further, if you use Google's 45W charger.

The good news doesn't stop there, as wireless charging has also been greatly improved on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. This is thanks, at least in part, to the addition of Qi2 support, which doubles the wireless charging rate from 7.5W to 15W.

What you need to know

• Pixel users can now creatively edit and share images directly inside chats, thanks to Gemini Nano Banana.
• A new “Wicked: For Good” theme pack adds magical wallpapers, icons, and sounds inspired by Glinda and Elphaba, available until January 2026.
• Pixel 9 and newer devices get Notification Summaries that condense long group chats, with more intelligent notification filtering coming in December.
• Pixel 6 and newer phones can now flag sketchy chat notifications, while Google expands live scam call detection to more countries.

Google just dropped its month update for Pixels and this seems to be feature loaded. The tech giant announced that a whole host of features is coming to Pixel 6 to the Pixel 10 series.

The update brings a mix of fresh AI tools, safety upgrades, and a themed makeover inspired by Wicked. Whether you’re rocking an older Pixel or the latest Pixel 10 Pro Fold, there’s something in here to play with.

One of the standout additions is Remix in Google Messages, a creative new feature powered by Google’s Gemini Nano Banana model. It lets you reimagine photos inside a chat. You and your friends can pass the same image back and forth, tweaking and remixing it without ever leaving the conversation.

The feature launches first for RCS users in English-speaking countries including the U.S., UK, Canada, Australia, India, Ireland, and New Zealand.

Wicked-themed customization

If you're fond of customization, there’s the new “Wicked: For Good” theme pack. Available for Pixel 6 and above until January 31, 2026, it dresses your phone in Wicked-inspired wallpapers, icons, sounds, and GIFs — with themes based on Glinda, Elphaba, and For Good.

Pixel users will also get some useful quality-of-life improvements. Notification Summaries, coming to Pixel 9 and newer (except the 9a), automatically condense long group chats into quick recaps right in your notification shade. A follow-up feature arriving in December promises to take things further by automatically quieting less important alerts, helping you focus on what matters.

Scam protection gets tougher

On the security front, Scam Detection for messages can now flag suspicious chat notifications in popular apps on Pixel 6 and newer models. It checks message content and shows a “Likely scam” alert before you open the app. Google is also expanding call scam detection, which listens for scam-like speech during calls, to more regions like the UK, Ireland, India, Australia, and Canada.

For Pixel 9 and newer, Call Notes is also expanding internationally. The feature uses on-device AI to record and summarize calls, turning them into searchable notes with action items, making follow-ups less of a chore.

Google Photos is also getting Personalized Edits. Now you can simply ask it to fix group shots — like removing sunglasses or opening someone’s eyes — and it’ll pull from your photo library to make those changes look natural. This feature is rolling out to Android users in the U.S.

And for those long road trips, Google Maps’ new Power Saving Mode (exclusive to the Pixel 10 series) helps squeeze out up to four extra hours of navigation time by simplifying the display and cutting back background activity.

Finally, there’s Pixel VIPs, which makes sure you never miss messages from your closest contacts. VIP notifications are prioritized, and crisis alerts now appear right on their Contacts widget.

Over the years, one of my biggest complaints about foldable phones has been that while many of these have all of the bells and whistles, they usually fall short in the camera department. When you spend between $1,500 and $2,000+ on a phone, you would expect it to feature the best hardware across the board, but that simply hasn't been the case.

Even with how drastic an overhaul the Pixel 9 Pro Fold received last year, it still didn't offer the same camera features as the Pixel 9 Pro. Sadly, this is also the case with the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, as the camera hardware is practically identical to its predecessor.

Meanwhile, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is not only incredibly thin, but its primary camera has also been upgraded, utilizing the same 200MP lens found on the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Not to mention that foldable phones that are available abroad, such as the Honor Magic V5 or Oppo Find N5, usually don't suffer from the same issues, at least not usually.

With that, I ventured out and took a bunch of pictures with all four foldable phones in an effort to see how well the Pixel 10 Pro Fold compared. Before we get into the nitty-gritty, I want to note that all of the pictures you see were taken with the default settings. The images were not manipulated in any way to provide the most balanced comparison possible.

Pixel 10 Pro Fold vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7

We'll kick off this camera showdown with the two phones that many are likely considering as we head into the holiday season. It's also an interesting comparison because while Google didn't really do much in the way of upgrades, Samsung took the opposite approach with the Galaxy Z Fold 7. However, even with the new 200MP sensor, I'm not sure that it's really all that much better than the Pixel 10 Pro Fold.

Right off the bat, we get the patented Samsung saturation, albeit not as pronounced as I've become accustomed to. It's saturated enough to notice compared to the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, but it's not like the picture looks bad by any means. That said, the 10 Pro Fold took a picture that was a bit more true-to-life, and a bit brighter, even if it doesn't really matter in the grand scheme.

The picture of the tree has me feeling a bit perplexed, as the tree from the Fold 7 doesn't stand out quite as much, and it's not until you look at the grass behind the tree that you see a clear difference. To be honest, this was one of the closer pictures to judge, as both phones do a good job at capturing what I was actually seeing.

This picture below really surprised me. To my eyes, the Pixel is more vibrant and captures more detail than the Z Fold 7, which is not what I was expecting.

It's a fall picture with lots of bright colors, so I assumed Samsung's saturation processing would rear its ugly head. If anything, I'd probably go so far as to say that the picture is a little blown out, especially when you look at the trees and leaves around the steps in the background.

Naturally seeing as I'm a sucker for having a phone with a good telephoto camera, I also snapped a few shots with each of the phones. Unfortunately, this is where the Galaxy Z Fold 7 fell, and fell hard. It's immediately apparent in every image, but especially so with pictures that have text in them.

The entire picture just looks like it's an attempt at being AI generated, while the Pixel looks crisp and clean without much artifacting at all. There's also the picture of the "Social" sign, and while the letters look fine, the visible brick just looks pale and without life.

Pixel 10 Pro Fold vs. Honor Magic V5

It's been years since I've used an Honor phone, and have never used any of the company's foldable phones. Thanks to Android Central's Nick Sutrich, I've been able to spend some time with the Magic V5 and was able to include it in this camera comparison. And let me tell, this phone might just the most perplexing of them all.

The image above looks like Honor took Samsung's old image processing algorithm and cranked the saturation up to 11. Like the Fold 7, it's not that the picture from the Magic V5 looks inherently bad, as the colors do pop, especially on the mural. However, if I were to make any edits, dialing back the saturation would be the first thing I'd do.

Here's where things get weird. In the picture of the tree, it's like I jumped in a time machine and went back at least a few years. The V5 clearly didn't know what to do with all of the various colors and the grey sky, so it just blew everything out. As a result, there's hardly any definition, and the picture just looks...bad.

Then, there's the picture above of the park bench, and it's like a completely different phone took the picture. The Magic V5 is slightly brighter than the Pixel, all without blowing out the details in the background. If I had to pick one, I'd flip a coin and would be happy with whatever fate decided.

As for telephoto images, I didn't really find anything to complain about. They're not bad pictures, and I don't prefer the way these look compared to the ones from the 10 Pro Fold.

The Magic V5's pictures are different, with the only exception being the close-up of the mural, as I think the saturation got in the way and tried to smooth over the image just a bit too much. On the bright side, there aren't any artifacts where the AI/algo tried to fill in non-existent gaps.

Pixel 10 Pro Fold vs. Oppo Find N5

Until the Galaxy Z Fold 7 rolled around, my primary phone had been the Oppo Find N5. Since there wasn't a OnePlus Open 2 to speak of, this was the closest I could get, and it's been one of the more enjoyable phones to use, even with its various ColorOS quirks.

However, I have to admit that when comparing images between the Find N5 and Pixel 10 Pro Fold, I only found one that I wouldn't consider to be a coin flip. The image in question is the one where I zoomed in on the mural.

Almost nothing is right about this picture, except that I'd argue the Find N5 shows more details around the lines of outlines of the artwork and of the brick itself when compared to the Pixel. Besides that, something funky is going on with the color grading, and the words at the bottom look like they've been smoothed over once or twice. While there aren't any artifacts, which is a good thing, I'm just not really a fan of the way the picture looks.

Especially when you look at how the Find N5 compares to the Pixel 10 Pro Fold in the other pictures, practically walking in lock-step with one another. Perhaps the N5 just wasn't happy with how close of a zoom I was trying to get, or maybe something else is going on. But I was really disappointed to see those specific results.

Is there a winner?

If you told me that I had to pick just ONE of these foldable phones based solely on the cameras, I'd honestly probably go with the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. There's no bias here, as I was honestly expecting either the Magic V5 or the Find N5 to "win" by a landslide. That simply wasn't the case, which I'm still rather surprised about.

However, there are a couple of things that I learned after taking all of these pictures and comparing them: image processing can make or break a phone's camera system, and Samsung still can't figure out what to do with text when you want to zoom in to capture something.

Although I'd like to sit here and say that I could probably get all four phones to produce near-identical results, doing so would mean getting into the various Pro Modes.

So if you want a foldable phone that takes the best-looking photos without tinkering, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is your best bet.

FAQ

It took me a while to get started with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold (I was busy with other phones), but I was finally able to do so at the start of the year. I switched to the foldable after using the Find N5, and while the Pixel 9 Pro Fold wasn't as thin or light, the software was better than just about any other foldable I used.

But there was a problem — the cameras just weren't good enough. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold lagged behind the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Find N5, Vivo X Fold 5, and Honor Magic V5, and it wasn't even as good as a regular mid-range phone. So with the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, I wanted Google to do one thing: fix the cameras.

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold uses similar camera modules as its predecessor, but it takes better photos thanks to the new ISP in the Tensor G5 and a year's worth of camera tuning efforts. It still doesn't measure up to other foldables — or phones like the Vivo X300 Pro, X200 Ultra, and the Find X9 Pro — but it no longer feels like a big enough limitation that I need another phone on hand just to take photos.

The biggest issue with the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is the weight. Coming in at 258g, it is 43g heavier than the Galaxy Z Fold 7. Yes, you get a bigger 5,015mAh battery, but it's still 32g heavier than the Vivo X Fold 5, which has an even bigger 6,000mAh battery and bigger OLED panels on the inside and out.

After using the X Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Fold 7, using the Pixel 10 Pro Fold feels like going back a year or two in hardware design. Don't get me wrong; the design is pretty good, and the rounded edges make it distinctive in its own right. But the sheer heft of the Pixel 10 Pro Fold means it is nowhere as comfortable to hold and use as its immediate rivals.

And although the Tensor G5 is better than its predecessor, it's still not anywhere as fast as what Qualcomm and MediaTek have to offer, and I'm not even talking about the latest chipsets — the G5 doesn't even measure up to the Snapdragon 8 Elite and MediaTek Dimensity 9400. The charging situation continues to be annoying as well. While I like that the Pixel 10 Pro Fold has a bigger 5,015mAh battery, it charges at a middling 30W, and Google really needs to address this shortcoming.

But all of that doesn't really matter because of the software. While I used the Vivo X Fold 5 the most out of any foldable this year, I found myself wanting cleaner software with better usability, and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold delivers just that. Yes, it doesn't have the best internals or the best cameras, and the battery doesn't last as long as other devices. But when it comes to the software, there really isn't anything better.

The foldable runs Android 16 out of the box, and it just feels better to use. I generally prefer Pixel software, and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold retains Google's unique visual flair while offering plenty of custom extras that you don't get anywhere else. Magic Cue is one such feature, and the ability to automatically surface key information is pretty cool. The real utility is when I'm talking to a brand's customer care about a potential return, and Magic Cue pulls up the order information stored in Gmail.

It's things like this that make using the software that much easier. The interface itself is clean, and I'm a fan of the quirkiness of the Material You design. The foldable gets good multitasking features as well, and the UI as a whole has better fluidity than previous years.

To Google's credit, the brand nailed the rest of the fundamentals. The 6.4-inch outer OLED panel is a joy to use, with vibrant colors and high brightness that doesn't have any issues even under harsh sunlight. The inner 8-inch OLED panel is just as good, and it's terrific when it comes to playing videos or just browsing.

The battery lasts a day with medium use, and I didn't really run into many problems in this area. I would've liked a bigger battery, but unless I pushed the foldable, I was able to get it to last a full day, and native Qi 2 integration means I could easily charge the Pixel 10 Pro Fold via any of the Qi 2-based power banks I always have on hand.

It's great to see Google integrate the requisite magnets without having to use a case, and it is one of several small features that makes using the Pixel 10 Pro XL and Pixel 10 Pro Fold that much easier. On that note, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold has full IP68 dust and water resistance, and that's also great to see — most other foldables are limited to IPX8, so to have protection against dust ingress is a positive move.

Just like with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, I enjoyed using the Pixel 10 Pro Fold quite a bit, and while the foldable may not have the best cameras or battery life, Google once again proved that it knows how to deliver a phone you'll actually want to use.

Google's Pixel is far from the best-selling smartphone. It will never be the best-selling smartphone unless Google builds a model under $300. But its sales have spiked since 2022 in ways that any company making consumer devices would love to see.

I'm not going to go over all the numbers; you can read those here. I want to point out that a brand that sold less than 1% of "premium" devices in the U.S. is now selling about 7% of those same phones. That's a 13,900% increase (% change = today-2022/change if you want to do the math yourself), and it's astounding even though the number started so low to begin with. Statistics are fun. (Editor's note: No, they're not.)

So how did Google do it? What about a Pixel makes 7% of phone shoppers want one?

Because it's not the iPhone

Of course, I can't ask the millions of people who bought a Pixel why they chose it, but I think I know some of the reasons. The first is that it's not the iPhone or a copy of the iPhone.

I know, I know, longtime Android users decree that the Pixel (and any other phone they aren't using) is just an iPhone clone. They're wrong. Looks alone mean nothing; is the iPhone a clone of the Nexus 4, antenna lines and all? Nope.

Some things just work. Smart companies utilize these tools, even if they're trying to invent a new approach in the background. Size, shape, and camera placement are all pretty similar across devices for a reason.

That's why companies aren't talking about their "unique" device corners or glass edges. Remember when Samsung tried that and it flopped? What they are talking about is what the device can do.

We all have to admit they oversell these things whenever they're up on a stage talking about them, but you can not deny that the Pixel, starting around the eighth generation, has branched off into a slightly different kind of phone. One that does a lot of the thinking for you, if you want, and can even make decisions on your behalf. They tell us we really, really want that.

Other phones can likely do the same, but the fact that the Pixel is ready to do it out of the box is drilled into our consumer minds, and anything we see or hear about it from Google. The iPhone is not. It might not ever be. Apple has an idea of what it wants from an iPhone, and the company is stubborn. That's what it will make, and it will not try to chase the features of the Google Pixel.

The two devices are very different once you get past them being rectangular, glass, and metal.

That's also why the Pixel is eating Samsung's sales and not Apple's. It might be easy to switch from Apple to Google and vice versa, but nobody is doing it. The process might be easy, but years' worth of paid media and apps, gigabytes of online storage, and your (almost) complete online identity aren't just coming with you.

I've used Android since the very first Android phone, the T-Mobile G1. It would cost me several thousand dollars to switch to Apple and buy everything I would have to leave behind, and countless hours of transferring what I could bring with me.

I ain't doing all that. Ain't nobody got time for that. You shouldn't do all that without a very good reason, either. If you want something different but not too different, consider getting rid of your Galaxy phone and trying a Pixel. There's nothing to switch unless you tied it to a Samsung account (Don't do that).

One is no better than the other, but they are presented that way. I can tell you that I have a Galaxy S24 Ultra and a Pixel 9 Pro XL on my desk in front of me right now, and other than "exclusive" features, they can both do the same things if you want them to. The companies sort of skip all that during any presentation.

It becomes something made just for you

Google makes a big deal over one thing, and you already know what that is: AI.

Love it or hate it, AI has everyone curious, and companies that excel in it, like Google, are capitalizing on that fact. Google quickly realized that instead of building all that fancy AI "uniqueness" into Android, it could sell its own products, touting them as the future you want.

I'm not sure if it really is the future we want or need, but Google wants me to think it is. My Pixel will morph into some amazing JerryPhone just by using it alongside all those advanced learning AI features, making it more personal, smarter, and made just for me.

I will admit that plenty of those little tricks are pretty neat. I'm going to bet that they are also tricks Apple could make Siri or Apple Intelligence do, or that Samsung could wrangle into Galaxy AI (and it's starting to do just that), and this is nothing unique to Google. In 2025, the "special hardware" needed to be an AI powerhouse is now inside every premium phone, no longer a Pixel-only affair.

This works because on the surface, it's true. Google does not stand up on a stage and tell lies about what the latest product it sells can and can't do. It will do everything advertised once you open the box.

Google just wants to make sure you know that it thinks this is more useful than what other products offer and dares you to try it and see for yourself. It's an opinion that Google is allowed to try to convince you to agree with. And it's working.

I'll go out on a limb and say that this trend will continue and Google will sell more Pixel phones next year than it sold this year. Smartphone enthusiasts always crave something new and innovative. When we hear the promises (which tend to be mostly true), we bite if we see a device at the right price, especially around the holidays, such as on Black Friday.

Eventually, Samsung or Apple will have something so new and so good we can't live without it, and we'll see things level out.

FAQ

What you need to know

• Google Pixel 10 series has become a major hit in the U.S. after strong sales growth in 2025.
• Pixel sales saw a 28% increase during September 2025, marking Google's best single-month performance to date.
• Google's U.S. market share in $600+ phones grew from 0.1% in 2022 to 7% in 2025.
• Most of Google's growth came at Samsung's expense, while Apple continued to gain market share.

Google made some major changes with the Pixel 10 series, and it seems that all that hard work has paid off, as the Pixel 10 lineup has seemingly become a hit among U.S. customers.

A report from Counterpoint shows that Pixel sales in the U.S. grew significantly year over year, jumping 28% in September 2025 compared to the same month the previous year (via WCCFTech). This is a major win for Google, especially in a market where customers tend to hold onto their devices longer. The report even notes this as a "single-month sales record for the OEM."

Pixel sales in the U.S. have also been growing steadily over the past few years. According to the report, Google's share in the $600+ smartphone market rose from just 0.1% in September 2022 to 7% in September 2025.

And even though 7% may not sound huge compared to Apple and Samsung, it represents nearly 70 times growth in just three years, which is massive.

Pixel phones are slowly becoming a real contender

Similar trends were seen across major U.S. carriers. At T-Mobile, Google's share grew from 0.1% to 6.5% between September 2022 and September 2025. Verizon saw an even bigger jump from 0.1% to 7%, while AT&T showed slower growth, rising from 0.1% to just 2.3%.

Interestingly, the growth Google is enjoying doesn't appear to come at Apple's expense — the brand it often targets in ads — but rather at Samsung's. Apple increased its sales share from 72% to 80% in the $600+ smartphone market over the past three years, while Samsung declined from 26% to just 12% in September 2025 compared to September 2022.

Google has been investing heavily in the Pixel lineup, adding new AI features, improving hardware, and running consistent marketing campaigns, and it's finally paying off.

The Pixel 10 series, despite minor issues, has remained stable since launch, while the Pixel 9 series and mid-range Pixel 9a also continue to perform well.

After using the Pixel 9 Pro Fold for the better part of the past year, I was beyond excited to get my hands on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. Even after reviewing the Galaxy Z Fold 7, I was still looking forward to Google's offering, as I hoped it would push the envelope further in various ways.

Then the announcement came, which was accompanied by Google confirming that the Pixel 10 Pro Fold wouldn't launch alongside the rest of the Pixel 10 series. It would be over another month before I could get my hands on one, and in that time, my excitement began to wane.

Now that the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is finally available, let's dive into whether my excitement returned, and whether it's as easy a recommendation as its predecessor.

Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Price and availability

Google announced the Pixel 10 Pro Fold alongside the rest of the Pixel 10 lineup in late August 2025. Pre-orders began the same day; however, Google's latest foldable phone wasn't actually released until October 9, 2025.

The phone is available in two colors — Moonstone or Jade — and pricing starts at $1,799 for the base model with 256GB of storage. Those interested in having more storage will have to shell out $1,919 for 512GB or $2,149 for 1TB.

Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Specs

Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Hardware

• Google's decision to stick with the same design as last year makes plenty of sense, despite the competition getting slimmer.
• This allows the Pixel 10 Pro Fold to become the first foldable with an IP68 rating.
• MagSafe is finally here on Google's Pixel 10 lineup courtesy of Pixelsnap, and it's excellent.

The thing about the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is that, because it was such a drastic shift over the original Pixel Fold, Google didn't really need to change much. As expected, it didn't, as the Pixel 10 Pro Fold retains an almost identical design to its predecessor.

Although Google's foldable is no longer the thinnest option, sticking with the same design paid dividends. A year after holding the crown for the thinnest foldable Stateside, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold now holds the title of the first foldable phone with an IP68 dust and water-resistance rating.

I actually think this was the better route to take, especially given the stigma around foldable phones being less durable than their slab counterparts. Until recently, I didn't really care all that much, but after standing in a storm during a concert festival, my opinion quickly changed.

Having a foldable phone I can truly use anywhere, no matter the conditions, is something we've been hoping to see. It's just surprising to see that Google got there first, and not Samsung, Honor, or Oppo. Frankly, the IP68 rating alone could be enough to entice more people to the Pixel 10 Pro Fold over the others.

One feature that I was actually more excited about than the IP68 rating was Google's implementation of magnetic Qi2 via Pixelsnap. This is Google's long-awaited answer to Apple's MagSafe, and it doesn't require special cases or adapters to work with many of the best MagSafe accessories.

To accompany the launch, Google released a few Pixelsnap accessories, including the Pixelsnap Charger, Ring Stand, and Charger with Stand. Of these, my favorite has been the Pixelsnap Charger with Stand, as I much prefer wireless charging to plugging my phone in. But in reality, pretty much anything compatible with MagSafe will work with the Pixel 10 Pro Fold and Pixelsnap.

Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Battery & performance

• Google's Tensor G5 runs cooler and much more efficiently than before.
• This results in all-day battery life, and paired with a Pixelsnap charger, you'll never run out of juice.
• Although the Pixel 10 Pro Fold handles daily tasks easily, things fall apart when doing GPU-intensive work.

One area where I didn't really have much of an issue with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold was battery life. It wasn't the best, but it still managed to make it through an entire day, even a year later.

However, Google's Pixel 10 Pro Fold promised to be even better, thanks to the move to the Tensor G5 chip. By moving production from Samsung to TSMC, Google hoped its latest chip would be faster and more efficient. And, at least when it comes to efficiency, the 10 Pro Fold has delivered.

When running a battery test, which consisted of playing a 4K HDR video at full brightness with 50% volume, here's what I found:

As you can see, with the 8-inch inner display, you're looking at about a 15% drop per hour. Naturally, less battery is consumed when using the cover screen, as the battery dropped by 9%.

Extrapolating that out, you're looking at about 8 hours with only the inner display, or a little more than 11 with the cover screen. That's been more than enough for me, as I have yet to feel the pinch of needing to find a charger before running out of juice.

For as great as battery life has been, the same can't be said for performance. Don't get me wrong, in day-to-day life, the 10 Pro Fold has been silky-smooth and keeps up with anything that I'm trying to do.

Unfortunately, this isn't the case with gaming, specifically emulation. It's reached the point where I don't even bother loading up any intensive games, whether they're Switch ROMs or Windows games via GameHub.

I'm really not sure what's going on here, but I suspect it has something to do with the Tensor G5's GPU. The performance is so disappointing that Google issued a statement after reports surfaced about issues.

It appears that the GPU drivers in current Android builds are outdated. In its response, Google said it plans to include "further GPU driver updates" in "future releases," noting that "the September and October patch releases already contained GPU driver enhancements."

Sadly, those updates have not yet resulted in meaningful improvements. The next major Android update isn't expected until the December 2025 Pixel Drop. So we'll have to revisit this once the latest GPU drivers are actually released.

Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Software

• Outside Material 3 Expressive, there really aren't many new features to be found on the software side.
• You're still limited to two apps on the inner screen at a time, not even being able to add a floating window.

This has been one of the more difficult sections to write, as my feelings on Google's software are very different than, say, Samsung's One UI. With the Galaxy Z Fold 7, I know there are going to be plenty of settings to fiddle around with, along with more tweaks and changes that I can make in order to enable various features that aren't there out of the box. At the same time, my expectation is to be able to use the Fold 7 for practically anything I need.

When picking up the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, I know there are certain limitations to what's possible, but for some reason, it doesn't bother me. The only other phone that makes me feel this way is the iPhone, as iOS and iPadOS are just way too locked down to really do much outside of what Apple wants me to do.

I've said this before, but I equate the Pixel 10 Pro Fold (and other Pixels) as being the "weekend phone." It's great for replying to messages, maybe playing a few games, and watching your favorite sports team. But it lacks some of the features that help make other foldables great.

The most notable of which is multitasking, as you're still limited to using only two apps at a time, even on the inner screen. I can't tell you how many times I've swiped up to grab an app from the taskbar, hoping to drag and drop it into a floating window, only to be reminded that it's just not possible.

Now, I'm not asking for the Samsung approach, where I can fit up to five or six apps on the screen at once. But come on, Google, just give me something more. I mean, it's an 8-inch screen — the same size as some of the best Android tablets — so there shouldn't be any reason we can't at least have one floating window.

Another annoyance is that, for whatever reason, Google doesn't let you have separate layouts between the Cover and Main screens. Everything you change on one is reflected on the other, but I don't always use the inner screen in the same way that I do the outer screen.

It would be one thing if these foldable phones and software were still in their infancy, but they aren't. For all of the Material 3 Expressive changes Google made, it'd be nice if the same effort and thought were put into the usefulness/versatility of the software on a foldable device.

Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Cameras

• Google still won't use its best sensors on its foldables, saving those for the standard Pixel 10 Pro/Pro XL.
• The Pixel 10 Pro Fold misses out on some features, such as Pro Res Zoom.

With the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, I understood why Google didn't use the same camera hardware as in the Pixel 9 Pro. Google had just introduced a completely new design that was more focused on thinness and a premium look. It was disappointing, but at least it was understandable.

Unfortunately, that disappointment continues with the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, as the hardware remains unchanged. To be fair, Google didn't upgrade the physical sensors in the Pixel 10 Pro or Pro XL, but the latest foldable doesn't even match up to last year's Pixel 9 Pro.

As a result, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold yet again misses out on features found with its non-foldable counterparts. Sure, AI-powered features such as Camera Coach are onboard, but you won't find Pro Res Zoom. Which might not seem like a big deal, but when you consider that the Galaxy Z Fold 7 got slimmer while getting a 200MP primary camera, it's just not a great look.

But how do pictures actually look? I'm working on a full camera review/comparison with a few other foldable phones, but in the meantime, here are some of my favorites.

Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Competition

It shouldn't come as much of a surprise, but the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is easily the stiffest competition. Samsung made huge changes with this year's release, removing the S Pen digitizer to make the slimmest phone.

Not only that, Samsung took things further and added the same 200MP primary camera found in the Galaxy S25 Ultra. All of these changes came at a cost, however, as Samsung bumped up the price by $100.

In the U.S., that's pretty much all you get in terms of alternatives, at least if you wanted to walk into your local carrier and walk out with a new phone. In reality, there are actually quite a few formidable opponents, which include the Vivo X Fold 5, Honor Magic V5, and Oppo Find N5.

The problem is that none of those phones are easily accessible in the U.S., meaning that you'll need to have them imported from abroad. This usually means paying a slight markup, but at least you aren't limited. However, the current political and economic climate is such that, in addition to paying a markup to import a phone, there's a good chance you'll have to pay a tariff on top of it.

Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Should you buy it?

You should buy this if:

• You want the first foldable phone with an IP68 rating.
• You don't need a lot of extra bells and whistles.
• You want a foldable phone that works with Pixelsnap (and MagSafe) accessories.
• You need all-day battery life.

You shouldn't buy this if:

• You want the best cameras on a foldable phone.
• You want the slimmest and lightest foldable phone.
• You're on a budget.

For as much as I would love to tell you that this is the foldable phone for everyone, I just can't. What I can say is that if you want a foldable equipped with an IP68 rating, already understand the limitations of Google's software, and know that you aren't getting the best cameras, then yeah, this is the one for you.

I'd even argue that the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is the best foldable for those who haven't used a foldable phone before and don't want a flip phone. It's a great way to get your foot in the door and become familiar with how the software works before moving on to something more robust or feature-rich in the future.

My problems stem from wanting Google to become the leader in the space, and even with the IP68 rating, the rest of the package is pretty run-of-the-mill.

FAQ

What you need to know

• Pixel 10 Pro Fold users report battery icon displaying a mysterious question mark.
• The bug could be linked to wireless chargers, possibly affecting the battery management system's calibration.
• A temporary fix is available through a reboot, but Google states that a fix will be rolled out with the November monthly update.

Google's latest foldable seems to be facing a peculiar bug. Several Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold users on Reddit have reported seeing a mysterious question mark(?) instead of the percentage.

This issue seems to be cropping up for users who have wireless chargers, particularly third-party or non-Qi2 certified chargers, but this is still speculation(as first spotted by Piunika Web). The rumor on the street is that these chargers might've caused a "brief communication or calibration error between the battery management system and the software interface, resulting in the phone being unsure of the current battery level, hence the question mark," the publication added.

Well this is new... Question mark next to battery icon. from r/PixelFold

Users on the same Reddit thread had conflicting opinions on the cause of this glitch. Some say it could be an underlying hardware issue, like the battery failing, while others believe it's a simple UI problem that a quick fix could resolve. One user even said that "A lot of this has been happening since the last play security update. I suspect it will come out as just a bug, but you're smart to reach out to Google to see what they recommend."

That said, it isn't just the new Pixel 10 Pro Fold facing these issues; some 9 Pro Fold users also seem to have spotted the weird '?' icon next to their battery, where one user stated that the error message they got was "Unable to read battery meters". The user seemed to have contacted Google support, who said they're sending him a new device.

So could this really be a battery swelling issue on the new Pixel 10 Pro Fold? Only time will tell. But for now, if you're seeing this issue, a temporary fix, all you have to do is to reboot the phone, which returns the correct battery percentage. If you still don't see it fixing this bug, you should contact Google Support for further guidance or a possible warranty claim.

Google's spokesperson also confirmed to Android Central that rebooting the device will resolve the issue; however, "Pixel 10 Pro Fold users should use certified Qi2 wireless chargers." And that a fix for this battery bug will be rolling out with the November monthly update.

What you need to know

• Google confirmed it will release regular GPU driver updates for the Pixel 10 series to improve performance.
• The Tensor G5 chip runs cooler than before, but still shows limited performance gains in high-end gaming tests.
• Users report lag and freezing in games like Genshin Impact, pointing to outdated GPU drivers as the main cause.
• The Pixel 10 currently uses an older GPU driver version, but Google might roll out newer drivers soon.

Google has faced criticism for rendering issues with high-end games on the Pixel 10 series and general graphics problems. The company has now clarified that it plans to release GPU driver updates for the Pixel 10 lineup to improve performance.

In a statement to Android Authority, Google confirmed that monthly and quarterly system updates for the Pixel 10 series will continue to bring GPU improvements. The company said the September and October patch releases already contained GPU driver enhancements. "In future releases, we are planning further GPU driver updates," it told the publication.

Google switched to TSMC for the Pixel 10 series' Tensor G5 chipset, which should have theoretically brought major improvements. While heating has reduced compared to the previous generation, the overall performance gains on the Tensor G5 aren't substantial.

GPU driver updates could boost Pixel 10's gaming performance

Some users have recently reported that the Pixel 10 struggles to handle games like Genshin Impact, with noticeable lag and freezing. Thankfully, Google plans to release GPU driver updates that could deliver much-needed graphics performance improvements.

For context, the Tensor G5 chipset on the Pixel 10 uses Imagination Technologies' PowerVR DXT-48-1536 GPU, which offers up to 1.5 TFLOPS FP32 performance (on paper). However, the Pixel 10's performance still trails behind phones like the Galaxy S25 Ultra or OnePlus 13.

That's partly because the Pixel 10 ships with outdated GPU drivers. Some Reddit users discovered that the Tensor G5 uses version 24.3 of the driver, which doesn't support Android 16.

And even though Imagination Technologies has already released version v25.1 with Android 16 and Vulkan 1.4 compatibility, Google has yet to update the Pixel 10's drivers. That could explain why the Pixel 10 lags behind other flagship Android devices in gaming performance.

It's possible Google's statement about upcoming GPU driver updates refers to these newer versions, though the company hasn't provided a timeline. Unfortunately, even the latest Android 16 QPR2 Beta 3.1 update doesn't include these driver updates for the Pixel 10 series, so we might have to wait a bit longer for meaningful improvements.

Why you can't use older cases with your Pixel 10 Pro Fold

Google has made three foldables to date: the Pixel Fold, Pixel 9 Pro Fold, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold. Each phone has its own unique dimensions, so you can't use any of the cases meant for a single model with another interchangeably.

It's understandable why a lot of people might wonder whether they can use their Pixel 9 Pro Fold case on the latest Pixel foldable. After all, they seem to share identical sizes and have the same dual-camera bars. However, Google tweaked the measurements a tad with the newest Pixel Fold iteration. Subtle changes in the camera bar placement and size, as well as the entire foldable phone itself, make it impossible to reuse last-gen cases on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold.

Some Reddit users have reported that they were able to use Pixel 9 Pro Fold cases on their Pixel 10 Pro Fold units, but the fit isn't perfect. The camera bar and speaker alignments are off. This affects the drop-proofing added by a phone case, defeating the purpose of using a phone case in the first place.

Purchasing a case along with your new phone is the best way to go, but sometimes shipments don't arrive in time. Thus, you should only resort to using an incompatible case as a temporary solution while you wait for your Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold case to be delivered.

Poor fit and lack of impact resistance aside, another issue with using a Pixel 9 Pro Fold case is that you miss out on Pixelsnap compatibility. Now that magnetic Qi2 is natively available on the Pixel 10 series, you need to get a compatible case to make sure your Qi2/Pixelsnap accessories work with the Pixel 10 Pro Fold case that you choose.

If you're unsure about the right case for you, I have written a helpful buying guide about the best Pixel 10 Pro Fold cases available.

This is Android Central's News Weekly, your go-to source for a concise roundup of the week's most significant tech stories. This is where we delve into the top headlines that provide the latest developments and innovations contributing to the digital landscape.

This week, OnePlus' OxygenOS 16 launches, Samsung's Project Moohan gets a launch date, Pixel 10 Pro Fold smokes up in a durability test, Samsung's ultra-slim Edge could be gone for good, and Android 16's QPR2 Beta 3 brings app shortcuts. Let's get into it, shall we?

OnePlus' intuitive OxygenOS 16 arrives

Read more here and here

OnePlus just unveiled its latest software, OxygenOS 16, based on Android 16 this week (Oct.16), and says that it is the OS built on "Intelligently Yours" philosophy, bringing a smarter, more AI-infused OS that takes personalization up a notch. Android Central's Nick Sutrich says that this year's OxygenOS 16 "offers users plenty of UI customization options and focuses intensely on the beautification of the entire experience."

The new OS is said to be so "smooth" and gives users many ways to customize their lock screen and app drawer with animations. It introduces the "Flux Theme 2.0," which lets you personalize your wallpaper with moving photos and videos, including cool 3D effects that react to you.

It also seamlessly works with OnePlus' AI and Gemini, providing the user with a more intuitive experience that feels like having a personal assistant in your pocket.

Samsung's Project Moohan looks set to launch this month

Read more here

The wait might be finally over as Samsung is set to host another virtual Galaxy event to unveil its new AI-focused devices as well as Android's XR platform.

In a press release to Android Central, Samsung said that users should prepare for the Galaxy event "Worlds Wide Open." This event is set to take place next week on October 21 at 10 pm ET (7 pm PT). It will be streamed on Samsung's main site, as well as its YouTube channel. At the heart of the matter, we have what the company is preparing to talk about: Project Moohan, otherwise known as Samsung's first XR headset.

Samsung says that Project Moohan will "blend everyday utility with immersive new experiences, unlocking a whole new dimension of possibility and setting a new benchmark for XR."

Pixel 10 Pro Fold had a bad week

Read more here

Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold was caught under a heavy dark cloud this week, or a white cloud (pun intended). Zack Nelson, the host of the 'JerryRigEverything' channel on YouTube, put the Pixel 10 Pro Fold through his infamous durability test. And things got pretty ugly, with Google's latest Fold pretty much exploding and smoking during the bend test.

Here's what happened: the first time he bent the device in reverse, it pretty much snapped in half at the antenna lines on top. However, when he tried to bend the device further, the battery almost instantly gave out and began smoking.

According to Android Central's Jerry Hildenbrand, this was caused by something called the thermal runaway. It occurs when something causes a spot in the battery to heat up, such as the excessive pressure from the bend test. Which created "a self-sustaining chain reaction that heats adjacent spots until everything becomes hot enough to burn."

Samsung Galaxy S26 Edge may be gone for good

Read more here

The word on the street is that Samsung has reportedly cancelled its Edge variant, as its predecessor didn't fare well in the market. According to recent reports, people weren't as interested in buying the ultra-slim Galaxy S25 Edge due to several underlying reasons. While we don't know for sure what caused it, we assume that its hefty price tag and the battery capacity could've pushed for this to happen.

This has led Samsung to reportedly cut production and offer heavy discounts on the device. Which means we won't be seeing it in the Galaxy S26 lineup, as a Samsung executive said that the slim Edge line is unlikely to return. This means that there may not be a line-up reshuffle after all, and that Samsung could be sticking to its usual base, Plus, and Ultra trio.

Android 16 QPR2 Beta 3 landed, but was pulled back

Read more here

Android 16's next beta just about landed before it was pulled from the servers due to a boot loop issue. But here's what users can expect to see when the stable version drops.

The beta version supposedly makes it easier to add app shortcuts directly to the home screen. While this isn't a new feature, Google has just made it easier to create a shortcut with a "+" button beside each shortcut, making it more obvious that they can be pinned to the home screen.

Some smaller tweaks include a Live Caption shortcut that has been added directly to the volume control menu, and the icons for the microphone, Google Lens, and AI Mode in the home screen search bar are now slightly larger for better visibility.

More stories this week

Those are some of the biggest stories from this week. Meanwhile, here are some other stories that are worth catching up on:

• Google Nest Thermostats get a visual overhaul with new animated faces
• Pixel Buds 2a, Pixel Buds Pro 2 cozy up with an uncanny ability to swap cases
• Your next Google Maps navigation could be planned by GeminiGet ready—
• Get ready—Samsung Bixby could be transforming with a sleek new look and AI upgrades
• The odds are looking grim for Pixel Watch 1 owners to get Wear OS 6
• Xiaomi says rear displays will continue after 17 Pro, Pro Max shattered sales
• Mind Space app in OxygenOS 16 bridges OnePlus AI with Gemini for inspiration
• Samsung launches Qi2 chargers in the US, even though no Galaxy phone fully supports them
• Galaxy S23 FE sees major One UI 8 update: Customize your lock screen and more
• Roku is getting a new brain this fall with a big software update

Welcome to Tech Talk, a weekly column about the things we use and how they work. We try to keep it simple here so everyone can understand how and why the gadget in your hand does what it does.

Things may become a little technical at times, as that's the nature of technology — it can be complex and intricate. Together we can break it all down and make it accessible, though!

You might not care how any of this stuff happens, and that's OK, too. Your tech gadgets are personal and should be fun. You never know though, you might just learn something ...

Yes, a Pixel 10 Pro Fold battery exploded

Zack from the Jerry Rig Everything YouTube channel loves to break stuff. While I'm jealous of that, I'm glad that the Pixel 10 Pro Fold battery exploded during a durability test. Yeah, that sounds strange, but it gives me more chances to talk about something important to me: batteries and safety. A couple more articles about it can't hurt, right?

I want to say up front that Zack knew this might happen. He knows it might happen with every phone he bends until it breaks, because that is the nature of the type of batteries (lithium-based) in phones. Fortunately, he also knows what to do when it happens. It's called thermal runaway, and it's kind of crazy.

Thermal runaway occurs when something causes a spot in the battery to heat up, creating a self-sustaining chain reaction that heats adjacent spots until everything becomes hot enough to burn. It's chemical in nature, and while not unique to batteries, it's an important process to understand just a little. You need to be aware of what's inside your pocket.

The crazy part is how it can start. Physical damage, like bending a phone that's already broken or even just dropping it the "wrong" way, can do it, but so can sitting in the hot sun, manufacturer defects, and (you knew this was coming) just charging it.

A phone battery uses chemicals to store energy, and some of those chemicals shouldn't ever come into contact with each other. When that happens, things get bad.

Is it dangerous?

Yes. No. Maybe.

Every phone can have a catastrophic battery failure (a fancy word for an explosion). Every company making phones and the batteries that go into them does everything they can to prevent it. You'll probably never see it happen, let alone have it happen to you. Unless you watch YouTube, that is.

That's a bit problematic. Since it rarely happens, most people don't pay much attention when someone mentions how dangerous a lithium battery can be. It might be called an explosion, but it's not like a bomb or anything. It's a mess of gooey chemicals that burn for a long time, ignite everything they touch, and can be difficult to put out.

Different things have been done to lessen the effects, like putting vents in sealed batteries and using thin, flexible cases instead of a hard plastic shell, but until battery tech changes (it will eventually), there is no way to 100% prevent it from ever happening.

That's what people mean when they say phone batteries are dangerous. Tigers can be dangerous, and just because you're likely to never encounter one doesn't make them any less so.

What can you do?

Not much. As mentioned, there are other people working to ensure the battery in your phone isn't likely to have an issue, and they are really good at it. You can trust that your phone is something you can use and carry around without something going haywire inside it.

Even phones like the Samsung Galaxy Note 7, notorious for having bad batteries, were mostly safe, and you'll find the number of problems wasn't very high. High enough for a recall doesn't mean it will happen to all of them.

The few things you can do are really just common sense. If your phone starts swelling up, stop using it and have it looked at. If your phone gets bent, stop using it and have it looked at. If your phone suddenly changes behavior while charging or all of a sudden uses all of the battery power, stop using it and have it looked at.

A few other things are a little more inconvenient, but still not hard to do. Never leave your phone lying in direct sunlight; treat it like a vampire. Use good, high-quality name-brand cables and wall blocks to charge it. Be careful using voltage adapters when you travel. Nothing any of us can't handle.

Now, the one thing nobody likes to hear, but definitely helps: replace the battery every two years. Another factor that can directly lead to thermal runaway is battery degradation. Even though it's hard to access, the battery in your phone is disposable and shouldn't be used once it reaches a certain point.

It makes us mad, but this is why phone makers sometimes do things that slow down charging or reduce capacity over time: they don't want to be responsible for your pants catching fire.

Finally, remember that this goes for your smartwatch, tablet, laptop, headphones, and everything else you have that uses a rechargeable lithium battery, too. They are safe to use; you just have to be a little careful doing it.

What you need to know

• Zack Nelson (JerryRigEverything) tests the Pixel 10 Pro Fold's durability, resulting in explosive failure during durability tests.
• IP68 dust and water resistance is claimed, but hinge performance raises concerns after gritty tests.
• Unique bend test sees the device snap and even smoke, marking a catastrophic durability outcome.

Zack Nelson, the host of the JerryRigEverything channel on YouTube, put the Pixel 10 Pro Fold through his infamous durability test. And things got pretty intense, with Google's latest Fold pretty much exploding and smoking during the bend test. If you remember, its predecessor snapped in half, and this time around, things just got worse.

At first, things seemed as usual. Pixel 10 Pro Fold's cover screen (Gorilla Glass Victus 2) got scratches, on level 6 of the Mohs Hardness Scale, and 'deeper grooves' at level seven, much like the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

The inner screen can be scratched with something as simple as a fingernail (a good reason to invest in a Pixel 10 Pro Fold screen protector), but the good news is that the inner screen is protected when folded, so you don't really have to worry about accidental nicks. He also scraped the outer rims of the phone, which made the color coating come off.

Following this was the dust-resistance test, and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold prides itself on being the first smartphone to get an IP68 dust and water resistance. After throwing some sand and dust on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold's inner screen, Nelson says the screen is definitely dust-proof. However, the phone's hinge didn't handle the sand well, with particles crunching within it.

Nelson also put the phone through his usual burn test; however, things get interesting when he gets to the bend test. Google says that its 10 Pro Fold can handle a decade's worth of folding inward, thanks to its redesigned hinge mechanism. However, much like last year, the phone snapped in half when folded the opposite way; however, it didn't break at the hinge but along the antenna lines on the left side of the phone.

Nelson noted how he wanted Google to change the placement of these antenna lines this time around and criticized the tech giant every chance he got for leaving them in the same place.

That said, things get worse for this foldable when Nelson tried to bend the device even more after it snapped, with the phone smoking up and essentially exploding on camera.

"The battery decides it’s had enough. Surprisingly, in the decade that I’ve been durability testing phones, I have never had a smartphone explode before,” Nelson added. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold became the first-ever phone to go up in smoke in his videos, and fails the durability test "catastrophically." But despite one side of the device being charred, Nelson continued to test the device's other panel with the camera array.

That said, we should note that if your phone is noticeably or excessively bent, you should stop using it and have it checked out before things get worse.

What you need to know

• Pixel 10 users are facing widespread app crashes after the October 2025 update.
• Apps freeze, get stuck on splash screens, or show "not responding" errors even after basic troubleshooting.
• The crash issue seems tied to conflicts between Google Play Services and the October Android update.
• Some users fixed it by uninstalling updates for Play Services and Play Store after the OS update.

Over the weekend, several Pixel 10 users began reporting a sudden wave of app crashes, with many claiming that apps on their phones are freezing or shutting down unexpectedly without any clear reason.

While the Android 16 experience on the Pixel 10 series has been relatively stable compared to previous Pixel launches, which were often plagued by early software bugs, a few issues have still surfaced.

Users initially reported display-related problems that were fixed with the September update, but following the October 2025 patch, a new issue has emerged where apps are crashing out of nowhere.

Several users on Reddit (via Android Police) report that after installing the October update, apps on their Pixel 10 devices have started to "crash randomly or get stuck at the splash screen." The issue appears to affect most apps, with users seeing the "[App] isn't responding" dialog box. Common fixes such as reinstalling the app or clearing the cache don't seem to resolve the issue.

Some users say that rebooting the device temporarily fixes the problem, but the crashes return after a few minutes. So far, the issue has only been widely reported on the Pixel 10 lineup, though a few Pixel 9 users have also experienced similar behavior. Other non-Pixel Android devices appear to be unaffected.

There may be a temporary fix in sight

A number of reports suggest that the issue might stem from Google Play services, which could be conflicting with either the October or the earlier September OS builds. One Reddit user mentioned that uninstalling and reinstalling updates for Google Play services and the Play Store temporarily resolves the issue, but others say the fix only lasts briefly before the crashes return.

It's worth noting that uninstalling Play Services also signs you out of your Google account and could cause app issues, so proceed with caution. If your phone hasn't been affected yet, it may be best to avoid updating Play Services for now.

Google has not yet acknowledged the issue, but with more reports pouring in every minute, it seems likely that a hotfix or patch will arrive soon. For now, if you haven't installed the October update on your Pixel 10 yet, it's best to hold off until Google issues a fix or provides an official statement.

For much of the year, the focus on foldable phones has been on how thin manufacturers can make them. But after Google's Pixel 9 Pro Fold put the rest of the market on notice, the same can be said about the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, but for a completely different reason.

We've lamented on numerous occasions about how the original Pixel Fold was an eyesore and behind the 8-ball as soon as it arrived. It was awkward, had thick bezels, and a hinge that may or may not have opened all the way. It made the Galaxy Z Fold 5 look futuristic, despite using a design that was already getting a bit long in the tooth.

Google then surprised us all with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, managing to beat out the rest in the race to become as thin as possible. Fast forward to now, and Google has "recycled" this design for the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, skipping the "thin" factor in favor of other specs, such as a larger battery and Qi2 magnetic charging. However, there's another reason why the added thickness doesn't bother me, and it's one we probably don't think about enough.

Where the Pixel 10 Pro Fold stands apart

There's one thing that Google's flagship foldable has over the rest of the competition: an IP68 rating. Frankly, many wondered if such a rating would ever apply to foldables, given the numerous fail points on a phone with a built-in hinge. Not to mention that Google was the first to achieve this, not Samsung, Oppo, Xiaomi, or any other phone maker.

In doing so, it provides me (and hopefully everyone else) with a bit more confidence when I get caught in a thunderstorm or take a trip with the family to the beach. No, I'm not saying you should drop the 10 Pro Fold into a bucket of water to test it, but you also won't have to worry quite as much compared to others.

Initially, I didn't really think much about the IP rating, mainly because I'm almost never in a situation that would require me to worry about it. However, funnily enough, that all changed recently when I went to a three-day music festival at the beach.

Being who I am — a nerd who likes phones and tech — I went to the festival with three different phones. Two were foldables, with the Galaxy Z Fold 7 in one front pocket, the Oppo Find N5 in the back pocket, and the non-folding Pixel 10 Pro in the other front pocket.

Day one of the concert festival went off without a hitch, but day two was a completely different story

It was raining off and on all day, and it got worse after my wife and I arrived. We were there to see a few different bands, but the headliner for night two was Good Charlotte, a band that we both love and haven't had the opportunity to see. The problem was that by the time they came on stage, it felt like we were standing in the outer bands of a hurricane with heavy rain and winds.

Naturally, when you're someone like me, carrying three phones and seeing bands you listened to religiously growing up, you want to take pictures. Throw in the fact that Good Charlotte had a surprise guest in Deryck Whibley of Sum 41, and it's even more of a reason to record a video or take some pictures.

Not once did I reach for either the Find N5 or the Z Fold 7 out of fear that the conditions might overwhelm them. Instead, I relied on the Pixel 10 Pro to snap pictures of the band as they played through the hits of my childhood. All the while, jumping around and dancing in a downpour that just so happened to let up as soon as Good Charlotte's time was up.

That hesitation was enough to make me wish that I had the 10 Pro Fold with me, as I would've felt just as comfortable using that over the other two foldables in my pockets. Not only could I have written about that experience, but I also would've been more likely to leave all of the other phones behind and just carry that one.

Compromises for the sake of compromises

The thing with foldable phones is that they represent the epitome of compromise within the smartphone space. Companies try to cram as much tech as they can into phones that aren't just simple slabs of aluminum and glass, usually to the detriment of one feature or another. It's why the Pixel 10 Pro Fold doesn't have the same camera hardware as the 10 Pro XL, despite the former being about $800 less expensive.

This idea of compromise is also why Samsung ultimately decided to ditch S Pen support with the Fold 7, as the digitizer prevented Samsung from making the phone as thin as it wanted. And while I think there's a prototype out there that looks like the Fold 7 but includes the necessary tech to support the S Pen, I suspect that it'll never see the light of day.

Honestly, I don't even know if I would care at all about the IP68 rating if it weren't for my concert experience. But if anything, it's made me realize that it's time for Samsung, Motorola, and every other foldable phone maker to get on board. Even if that means that the phone is a few millimeters thicker than the current models.

What you need to know

• Google's Pixel 10 Pro Fold introduces a new gearless hinge that enables IP68 dust and water resistance.
• The gearless hinge replaces traditional gears with CAMs, improving durability and saving internal space.
• The new hinge design allows slimmer bezels, a larger 6.4-inch cover display, and a 5,015mAh battery.

After officially showcasing it alongside the rest of the Pixel 10 lineup, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold finally went on sale on October 8, 2025. One of its biggest advantages over other foldables is IP68 dust and water resistance, made possible by a redesigned hinge mechanism. Google has now explained what went into creating this new hinge.

The hinge is the most important (and vulnerable) part of a foldable phone. It's relatively easy for Android OEMs to make regular smartphones sleeker and more durable since they have no moving parts, but a foldable phone is a different story. Its two halves constantly move, relying on a hinge to keep everything working smoothly.

Most foldable smartphones use a hinge design with tiny gears inside. However, Sangsoo Park, an industrial designer at Google, explained in a blog post that these gears often cause problems over time. "They can be damaged and dust can get stuck between them," he said, which can lead to a degraded opening and closing experience.

That's why Google opted for a "gearless hinge" in the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. Park noted that typical hinges use four gears to allow the two halves to rotate symmetrically as the device opens and closes, but Google replaced those with a more advanced mechanical component called CAMs. This new approach helped save internal space and improve reliability.

Pixel 10 Pro Fold's hinge uses CAMs instead of traditional gears

Google claims this new hinge of the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is more reliable and will "continue to work flawlessly over time," which is especially important for a premium device with long-term software support. Park added that the new hinge also gave designers more flexibility elsewhere.

For example, the new hinge allowed Google to shrink the bezels around the cover display, pushing them closer to the hinge and slightly enlarging the screen to 6.4 inches, up from the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

The redesigned hinge also gave Google room to fit in a larger 5,015mAh battery and achieve an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, making the Pixel 10 Pro Fold the first foldable phone to carry that certification. In addition, it supports Qi2 magnetic charging, just like the rest of the Pixel 10 series.

While the Pixel 10 Pro Fold isn't as thin as Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7, and Google still has some work to do in that area, the new hinge design has helped the company deliver a foldable that feels sturdy, reliable, and, as Google describes it, one that will "continue to work flawlessly over time."

What you need to know

• Pixel phones have earned DoDIN APL certification, making them officially approved for U.S. Department of Defense use.
• The certification confirms Pixel devices meet top security and compliance standards for government systems.
• Google says a military energy agency will use Pixels to digitize fuel inspections across 500 global sites.
• Only Samsung and Apple held this status before, marking a major step for Google's credibility in device security.

In a major win for Google, Pixel phones have earned DoDIN APL Certification, meaning they have been officially approved for use by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) on its sensitive and secure networks.

Pixel smartphones have long been regarded as some of the most secure Android devices, thanks to features like on-device spam detection, anti-theft tools, and continuous security updates. However, being cleared for government and defense use is an entirely different level of trust.

The DoDIN APL (Department of Defense Information Network Approved Products List) includes devices that meet the highest standards of security, reliability, and compliance required for use within government and military systems. Not many devices make the list, which makes this certification a major milestone for Google.

Pixel joins Samsung and Apple in elite DoD list

The Pixel 9 series, in particular, has been rated among the highest. With this certification, Pixel phones can now be used officially for mission-critical operations across the defense and federal sectors.

In its announcement, Google mentioned that a federal agency responsible for procuring energy resources for the military will use Pixel phones to improve fuel inspection processes across 500+ global sites. The devices will help capture on-site data securely and digitize what has traditionally been a manual process.

This is a big step for Google. Until now, only Samsung and Apple flagships were part of this elite list. Pixel's inclusion will not only validate Google's continuous security measures but also boost consumer confidence in the brand's privacy-first approach.

Interestingly, the latest Pixel 10 series devices are not part of the list yet. But it is likely because Google applied for certification before the Pixel 10 series launch in August 2025. It should only be a matter of time before they are added as well.

Over the past six months, my smartphone journey has gone something like this: Galaxy Z Fold 6 > Pixel 9 Pro Fold > Galaxy Z Fold 7 > Oppo Find N5. And for the better part of the last week, I've had the pleasure of using Google's latest foldable phone, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold.

While that's not nearly enough time to provide a full review, I have come to a few realizations about the overall experience so far while I work on testing, benchmarking, and putting the phone through its paces.

It's heavier than I expected

Upon taking it out of the box, the very first thing I noticed was how heavy it felt. To be fair, I was coming from the two thinnest and lightest foldable phones on the market. However, what has surprised me is that the feeling has yet to truly subside, as I still notice the heft of the Pixel 10 Pro Fold on a regular basis.

What makes this funny is that it's just a single gram heavier than the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, as the only external design changes made come in the form of some new colors. Google didn't mess around too much with the formula it crafted with last year's model, which made competing foldable phones look comical in comparison. This year, it's kind of the other way around, as the Find N5 and Galaxy Z Fold 7 are quite a bit slimmer and lighter than Google's offering.

Frankly, I'm not really sure if there's anything that Google needs to do from a design perspective, besides maybe make the 10 Pro Fold thinner. However, if that were to happen, I do worry a bit about what kind of compromises Google would have to make just for the sake of slimming down.

Beyond that, everything else with the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is exactly the same as I remembered from when I used the 9 Pro Fold on a daily basis. That includes the excellent display combination that Google has here, giving you a "regular" phone when closed, but unfolding to reveal an 8-inch mini tablet when the situation requires. I've yet to really find anything to complain about on that front, which is again, just a testament to how well Google nailed the initial design.

We finally have magnets!

Ever since Apple introduced MagSafe on the iPhone, I have been wanting something similar to be implemented on the best Android phones. We've seen a few random attempts from companies that don't have the same reach or influence as Samsung or Google, but thankfully, finally, it's here.

Of course, Google had to come up with a unique name of its own, as I really doubt Apple would let anyone near the "MagSafe" branding. As a result, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is officially "Pixelsnap" compatible, which also gave Google an opportunity to introduce a few new accessories.

So far, this is comprised of just three options: the Pixelsnap Charger, Ring Stand, and Charger with Stand. But more importantly, the 10 Pro Fold is now compatible with all of my favorite MagSafe accessories as well as the growing list of Qi2 accessories. The only compromise that I've found isn't with Pixelsnap vs. MagSafe compatibility, but instead, it's that the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is limited to 15W charging speeds compared to the 25W peak speeds that the Pixel 10 Pro XL is capable of.

Nevertheless, knowing that I don't need a specific case or to worry about whether an attached adapter is aligned properly is the dream finally realized.

Something weird happened

As I explained earlier, I've been on quite the rollercoaster of foldable phones in recent months, with the most recent stop being the OPPO Find N5. After it took me a little while to really settle in with the N5, I was a bit worried that the same would be true of the Pixel 10 Pro Fold.

However, that hasn't been the case, as it basically feels like I never left the Pixel 9 Pro Fold to begin with. Sure, the colors are different, and there are software features that I've yet to explore, but that's pretty much it.

I don't know if that's a testament to Google's growth with Android on foldable phones or not. The only other explanation I could come up with is that while it lacks the bells and whistles of One UI or ColorOS, the Pixel experience makes up for it by being the "coziest." This means that if you just want a phone that works and know what is and isn't possible, this is the best experience for the majority of people.

It really wasn't something I was expecting in the slightest, but from where I currently stand, that's a good thing. Don't get me wrong, as soon as I'm finished the full review, I'm jumping ship into the Android Beta Program to mess around with Linux and Desktop Mode, but for now, it's kind of been nice just having a phone that doesn't try to act like something it's not.

My biggest complaint

My absolute biggest complaint about the Pixel 10 Pro Fold has nothing to do with the cameras, displays, or software. It's the fact that Google announced the phone back in August. That's almost two months of waiting, meaning that any momentum gained back in August has largely dissipated, save for those who already knew this would be their next phone.

I'm almost at the point where I wish Google had just held back the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, or given us just a bit of a teaser alongside the other Pixel 10 phones. I understand there's not much that can be done when manufacturing or shipping issues arise, but it's still disappointing nonetheless.

On the fence?

Those who are on the fence about getting one and have been waiting to see some reviews before making a decision, I have an easy answer for you. If you're remotely interested in the Pixel 10 Pro Fold as your next phone, I would say to go ahead and get one. Worst-case scenario, you end up returning it, likely swapping it out for the Galaxy Z Fold 7.

So why would I offer a recommendation after just a week? Because Google is showing us that it knows how to meld the hardware and software to create a great overall experience. I suspect, as more software updates make their way into the pipeline, that the 10 Pro Fold will only get even better than it already is.

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold is Google's finest foldable yet

Just like the rest of the Pixel 10 series, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold might not look too different on the outside, but it has some pretty significant upgrades on the inside. One of the biggest in my book is the IP68 rating for dust and waterproofing. No other foldable has managed to achieve this level of rating yet, making the 10 Pro Fold the first to do it. The best we've had so far is an IP48 rating, which debuted with Samsung's foldables in 2024.

The other big change is the Tensor G5 chip, which unlocks more advanced on-device AI capabilities and performance. The latter is still not quite up to par with the competition, as we found out in our Pixel 10 review. The addition of magnets underneath the back panel of the Pixel 10 Pro Fold makes it the first foldable to natively support Qi2 wireless charging. Google calls this Pixelsnap, but it's essentially a way to use any MagSafe accessories directly with the 10 Pro Fold, without a case.

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold is currently one of the best Android phones around. It comes in Moonstone and Jade trims, and you can pre-order it now, with open sales starting from October 9, 2025. The Fold still offers a physical SIM slot, unlike the rest of the series that have done away with it. Prices start at $1,799 for the base 16GB/256GB configuration, and the storage goes up to 1TB.

One impressive fact about the new Pixel 10 Pro Fold is that Google claims it can "handle over 10 years of folding." Google is confident about its new gearless hinge and the other durability improvements made to the folding display. The phone also has a sizeable battery which should easily let it last for more than a day on one charge. We'll be putting the 10 Pro Fold through our rigorous review process and will have the final verdict on whether it's worth it or not very soon.

For more news and information on Google's latest phones, check out our Ultimate Guide.

Google's voice translation app has long been one of the best tools for conversing with someone in another language. The company just took it up a notch by introducing Voice Translate for phone calls in the Pixel 10 series.

This new feature in the phone app allows the AI voice model to translate what you're saying into another language, in real-time and in the sound of your speaking voice. If you live in the U.S. and you've just bought the Pixel 10, here's how you can take advantage of Voice Translate on your next phone call.

How to set up and use Voice Translate during calls on the Pixel 10

1. Open the Phone app, tap the hamburger menu and tap Settings.

2. Next, tap Voice translate and enable the toggle switch.

3. On the same page, choose the Language you speak and you can download additional languages if needed. Give it some time for the new language pack to finish downloading before trying it.

4. Once Voice translate is set up and enabled, make a call and tap Call Assist. Next, choose Voice translate.

5. You'll then get an option to select the speaking language of the caller.

6. Both parties will hear a brief automated message that says the call is translated by Google AI in each speaker's voice and that the audio is not saved.

7. After this, you simply continue the conversation normally, and the AI will translate your voice to the caller's language, but using your tone and speaking style. The same goes for the other party, and you'll hear their voice translated into your language.

8. The entire call will be transcribed on your Pixel 10 as the conversation goes on.

Note: Voice Translate works even if the person you're calling doesn't have a Pixel 10. Both voices will still be translated to sound like each person. It works fairly well in our experience, and even though the translation is not always perfect, it doesn't really detract from the conversation.

Speak your mind with the Pixel 10's awesome new feature

This live Voice Translate feature during phone calls is quite game-changing and helps break down the language barrier even further. It only works on the Pixel 10 series and later, which means Google can now do this on-device and in near-real time thanks to the advancements made to the Tensor G5 chip. Currently, Voice Translate supports translation between English and the following languages:

• French
• German
• Hindi
• Indonesian
• Italian
• Japanese
• Portuguese
• Russian
• Spanish
• Swedish

Just like the new Pixel Journal app, privacy is taken very seriously. Google explicitly states on its support page that no conversation audio or transcription is stored on the device. Conversations are never sent to Google, and neither are they retrievable after the call. The feature works even without an internet connection, further ensuring privacy. Voice Translate can be easily deactivated at any time, or you can turn it off for particular calls.

The Google Pixel 10 is one of the best Android smartphones you can buy today, and features like Voice Translate really help separate it from the competition. The cameras have gotten better, the new chip is more powerful for gaming, and the new AI features are extremely useful.

The art of journaling might not be as popular today as it once was, but Google intends to keep it alive in the digital age with its new Pixel Journal app. Available for the Pixel 10 for now, Journal lets you document your thoughts and experiences through text and images, and offers AI-powered insights on your entries to help motivate you.

If you've just bought yourself a new Pixel 10 series phone, here's how you can set up and use Journal.

How to set up and use Pixel Journal on the Pixel 10

1. Search for Journal on your phone. It should be in your app drawer.

2. When you first launch it, you need to choose what purpose you wish to use it for. You have a choice of seven goals.

3. Next, you have the option to link it to other Google services like Photos and Health Connect. You can also enable cloud backup and set a separate PIN for logging in.

4. Once set up, the first tab, called Entries, will have all your journal entries. These are searchable via the magnifying glass in the upper left corner.

5. The second tab, called Insights, organizes your entries by order of the date created, along with feelings emojis.

6. You can quickly create a Journal entry using one of the AI-generated prompts or by clicking the recent pictures section. The latter will automatically add the related pictures to the post.

7. You can customize the look of your entry by choosing different fonts or color options. Your fitness data can also be logged here if you've chosen to connect to Health Connect in Step 3.

8. Once you're done creating a Journal entry, it gets automatically tagged, and an AI-assisted reflection gets generated. You can always change these by scrolling to the bottom of the entry and tapping the emoji.

Privacy is paramount when using the Pixel Journal app

The Pixel Journal app will be home to the private thoughts and emotions of thousands of users, which means keeping all those entries private is of utmost importance. Google explicitly states on its support page that all the entries in the app, including the backed-up ones, are safe and that it doesn't use your entries for ads or to target ads to the user.

It also states that none of the journal entries are used to train its GenAI models. For transcribing audio, the Journal app uses an on-device Google service, so no data is sent to the cloud.

The Journal app's AI features are currently only available in English and Japanese, and you must be 18 years or older to use them. The AI-enabled features include "Deep dive," which offers different perspectives or fresh inspiration on your current topic. Mood ID chooses the most apt emoji for your entry, which can be found on the Insights tab. To get an AI-generated reflection for your entry, you need to have written at least five words.

What you need to know

• Pixel 10 phones in the US are eSIM-only with no physical SIM card slot option.
• Some Pixel 10 users in the U.S. requesting replacements are receiving global Pixel 10 models with SIM slots.
• Global Pixel 10 models lack mmWave 5G support, offering only sub-6GHz 5G in the U.S.

While the Pixel 10 series brings a number of upgrades over the Pixel 9, one of the major omissions from the new smartphone series, at least in the U.S., is the SIM card slot. The Pixel 10 series is eSIM-only in the U.S. However, it turns out there is at least one way to get a Pixel 10 device in the U.S. with a physical SIM card slot.

As spotted by 9to5Google, users requesting replacement Pixel 10 devices are receiving the global version, which has the SIM card slot at the top. The publication cited a Reddit post where a user requested a replacement Pixel 10 Pro XL due to a "screen issue."

Apparently, the unit shipped to them was not the U.S. version but a global model complete with a SIM slot. The device was identical to the Pixel 10 Pro XL they had, just with the SIM slot on top.

Physical SIM Pixel 10 units lack mmWave 5G

And it hasn't happened with only one user. Another Redditor in the same thread reported the same, though they didn't specify their Pixel 10 model. The original poster said they had reached out to Google about why they had received a physical SIM version, but hadn't yet received a reply.

As it turns out, however, there is one drawback for U.S. users getting a physical SIM version of the Pixel 10. The U.S. eSIM-only units support mmWave 5G networks, while global SIM models do not. So if you get that version in the US, you'll miss out on the fastest speeds and must rely on sub-6GHz 5G only.

That said, it appears there's still no way to directly get a physical SIM Pixel 10 from Google. It looks like the company is only providing replacement units, and we expect even those will soon be swapped out for the eSIM variant in the U.S.

• Phone deals: Best Buy | Walmart | Samsung | Amazon | Verizon | AT&T

If you had told me three years ago that not only would Google release a foldable, but that it's now set to release its third iteration, I would've chuckled. Yet, here we are, with the Pixel 10 Pro Fold set to arrive in October, a couple of months after its non-foldable counterparts.

After the original Pixel Fold, Google surprised many and released the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, introducing an all-new design that was both sleek, modern, and incredibly thin. With the major redesign out of the way, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold focuses more on the minutiae, making a few seemingly iterative tweaks.

With that in mind, you're likely wondering whether to buy the Pixel 10 Pro Fold or opt for something else. We're here to provide a bit more insight into the reasons why or why not you should upgrade to Google's latest foldable.

Why you should buy a Pixel 10 Pro Fold

Let's address the biggest reason why you should upgrade to the Pixel 10 Pro Fold out of the way: it's the only foldable phone with an IP68 rating. Although many other foldables have an IP rating, many of them are capped at IP48, while others still don't offer any type of dust protection.

That's not to say that you should immediately take your foldable to the beach or toss it in a bucket of water. But considering that durability is one of the biggest sticking points for those considering foldables, the IP68 rating goes a long way.

Beyond that, the next biggest reason to buy the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is all about performance. Google did an admirable job with the Tensor G4, despite benchmarks putting it far behind the competition. Even still, the 9 Pro Fold barely skipped a beat, even with all of the various Gemini additions that were introduced.

While the Tensor G5 in the Pixel 10 Pro Fold doesn't quite match up with the Snapdragon 8 Elite, Google says it provides more than a 30% boost to CPU performance over the G4. Perhaps more importantly, the G5 improves on-device AI performance by approximately 60%, giving Gemini ample room to grow.

And then there are several minor details that might be enough to help sway you to join the foldable lifestyle. This includes features like Pixelsnap, which finally brings Qi2 and MagSafe accessories without requiring adapters or unique cases. Google also managed to incorporate a larger battery, claiming that the 10 Pro Fold can last up to 30 hours on a single charge.

Additionally, Google implemented these various improvements without increasing the price. The base model is still priced at $1,799 for 256GB of storage, and a 1TB option is now available if you want to turn the 10 Pro Fold into a do-it-all phone.

Why you shouldn't buy a Pixel 10 Pro Fold

It's difficult to find too many flaws with the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, but there are a few frustrations and omissions. Most notable is the camera hardware, which doesn't use the same sensors as the Pixel 10 Pro, a phone that costs $800 less.

Google seems okay with leaving any improvements to the software, with on-device processing doing more of the heavy lifting compared to the non-foldable Pixel 10s. Of the three rear cameras, Google technically did upgrade the main wide-angle lens.

However, it's only using a newer 48MP sensor, while the telephoto and ultrawide cameras remain unchanged. I have no doubt that it'll still take fantastic pictures, but with the Galaxy Z Fold 7 now sharing the same primary camera sensor as the Galaxy S25 Ultra, Google's decision is disappointing.

Lastly, $1800 for a foldable phone is still a tough pill to swallow. Especially when viewed from the perspective of the general consumer.

You walk into a store and see the Galaxy Z Fold 7, with its all-new and sleek design, upgraded cameras, and packed with features that you'll never even realize are there. Then, you look the other direction and see the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, which has a fresh coat of paint, but looks pretty similar to last year's model.

There's a $200 difference between the two, and in a vacuum, ignoring budget constraints, I'd have to guess that more people will reach for the Fold 7. Perhaps it would be different if Google even dropped the price by $100, narrowing its margins for a year, just to attract more people into the Pixel ecosystem.

Some understand the hidden costs that go into the creation of a smartphone. The rest either don't know or don't care and just see what looks like an iPhone-like release cycle with seemingly minimal upgrades.

Trying to decide? Go with your gut

One thing that's throwing a wrench into the decision to buy the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is that it's not available yet and won't be until October 9. Google says this is due to "supply chain issues," and while it will still arrive ahead of the 2025 holiday frenzy, that doesn't help those who want to upgrade now.

You can already walk into basically any carrier store or Best Buy and walk out with a Fold 7. Apple just announced its next event, presumably where the iPhone 17 series will be introduced, and there's a good chance it'll be released before the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, too.

That's to say, if you had your heart set on picking up the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, I'd say just wait out the FOMO storm. At least on paper, the improvements look to be well worth it, and if you were on the fence, there's nothing wrong with testing the Fold 7 waters to see how you like it. There's always a return window in case you change your mind.

Personally, I'm waiting until the 10 Pro Fold is released before using my personal upgrade.

The Labor Day sales are in full swing across the web, and there's at least one Samsung phone deal that's making history. For the first time since the device was announced in late July, Amazon is carving a straight $300 off the Galaxy Z Fold 7. No trade-in necessary, no confusing eligibility requirements to worry about: just good old-fashioned savings on a cutting-edge foldable phone. 

This Labor Day deal is most likely happening because Google is set to release its own new foldable, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, in October. But hey, a little friendly competition never hurt anyone, right? 

✅Recommended if: you want a powerful foldable phone with a thin, lightweight design and excellent performance; you're a big fan of Samsung devices and you don't mind paying a premium for them. 

❌Skip this deal if: you're looking for a small phone or something affordable; you need a phone with incredible battery life or S Pen compatibility. 

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 proves that you don't need to sacrifice performance to get an ultra-thin, lightweight foldable. The device is basically a powerful smartphone and Android tablet all rolled into one, coming complete with the incredible Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and the same camera tech that's used in the Galaxy S25 Ultra. 

The folding hinge is also better than ever, with a nearly-invisible crease and two of the best AMOLED displays we've ever seen. The Z Fold 7 also comes with all of the latest AI features from Samsung, plus seven years of OS and security upgrades guaranteed.

Of course, the lightweight build means that the Z Fold 7 had to sacrifice some battery life, but our testing showed that the phone will still last up to 20 hours before it needs more juice. Still, if you need a smartphone that's going to last over a day on a single charge, I might look elsewhere. The Z Fold 7 only has IP48 water/dust protection, which could be a problem if you like to take your phone into more rugged environments.

Indeed, the elephant in the room is that most foldable enthusiasts will be choosing between the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, and the decision isn't easy. The Z Fold 7 has the lightweight design and powerful processor, but the Pixel 10 Pro Fold boasts IP68 protection and increased battery capacity. Will this $300 Labor Day discount tip the scales for Samsung? It's a tough call, but if you're into foldable phones, you can't go wrong either way. 

This is Android Central's News Weekly, your go-to source for a concise roundup of the week's most significant tech stories. This is where we delve into the top headlines that provide the latest developments and innovations contributing to the digital landscape.

This week, we're heavily focusing on Made by Google and its aftermath with Google launching its new flagship Pixel 10 series, the tech giant solving a major OLED display issue, we break down why only the Pixel 10 Pro XL supports 25 W charging, Google sneakily shows off its next smart speaker, and folks aren't having it with Google Photos' new UI. Let's get into it.

Here comes the Pixel 10 series

Read more here

The Pixel 10 series maintains a familiar design with a distinctive camera bar, but introduces significant upgrades under the hood. All three models—the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Pixel 10 Pro XL—are powered by the new Tensor G5 processor and Titan M2 security coprocessor.

They finally include native Qi2 wireless charging, and boast a battery life of over 30 hours, with up to 100 hours in Extreme Battery Saver mode. On the software side, they launch with Android 16 and will receive seven years of updates, while on-device AI is enhanced by Gemini Nano, which powers new features like "Camera Coach" and "Night Sight" to assist users with photography and more.

Pixel 10:

Google finally added a third lens to the base Pixel 10's rear camera array, on par with the rest of the lineup.

The base model Pixel 10 gets the same 6.3-inch display, which is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and a polished rear panel with a satin finish, also made of Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2. The frame of the device is made from spacecraft-grade aluminum.

As for the battery, the phone sees a larger 4,970 mAh battery with faster charging. Pixel 10 gets a new metallic-looking Indigo color, as well as Frost, Lemongrass, and Obsidian, and gets a price tag starting at $799.

Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL:

The Pixel 10 Pro features a 6.3-inch display, while the larger Pixel 10 Pro XL gets a 6.8-inch display, both of which are brighter. They also feature larger batteries and new AI features powered by the Tensor G5.

The rear camera pill on both phones consists of the same 50 MP wide, 48 MP ultrawide, and another 48 MP 5x telephoto lens, complete with a 42MP front camera for your selfies and video calls, similar to its predecessors.

There's not much difference between these two phones aside from one being larger and featuring a bigger battery.

Both the Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL are available for pre-orders starting today (Aug 20) for $999 and $1,199, respectively.

Pixel 10 Pro Fold:

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold arrives as the world's first IP68 dust and water-resistant foldable phone, thanks to its more durable "gearless" hinge. Plus, it's the first foldable to pack Qi2 charging!

Speaking of the display, the fold gets a large 8-inch Super ActuaFlex inner display and a 6.4-inch cover display with much thinner bezels compared to its predecessor.

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold features a squared triple camera array on its rear panel, with a 48MP primary (wide) camera, a 10.5MP ultra-wide camera, and a 10.8MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom and Super Res Zoom up to 20x. The cover display's camera is 10MP, the same as the inner display's lens.

Also, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, unlike the rest of the lineup, gets a physical SIM slot. Google states users still have its physical SIM, as well as an eSIM option. The device shows up in two new colorways: Moonstone and Jade, and is priced at $1,799.

Google finally tackles a major OLED display issue

Read more here

Google seems to have finally begun to address the OLED display's biggest problem, aka PWM dimming. Lower frequency dimming (like the 240Hz on the base Pixel 10 and previous models) is more noticeable to people with sensitive eyes and can cause mild to severe discomfort, leading to headaches.

This year, the tech giant has taken matters into its hands and added a new accessibility setting called "Adjust brightness for sensitive eyes" on Google Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL devices. AC's Senior Editor Nick Sutrich got to check out this feature in action during his content capture at Google.

It is important to note that the Pixel 10 Pro Fold also features the setting only for the inner display, since its outer display is just like the base Pixel 10, which doesn't support the new "sensitive eyes" feature.

Google snuck its upcoming smart speaker during Made by Google

Read more here and here

Blink, and you missed it! The bit during Google's Pixel launch yesterday when we got to see a quick sneak at an unannounced mysterious smart speaker that showed up in the Gemini Home demo.

During Lando Norris' cameo, a smaller speaker-like object was placed on the table next to him, which looked almost like a squished sphere with a bright Gemini ring light beneath it, which illuminates blue and purple when the AI is speaking.

While we were thinking this might be an early iteration of Google's Nest Mini, a new leak spills a little more information about Google's smart home device.

The speaker will allegedly feature Gemini Live so that users can have intuitive conversations with it and will also be able to sense unusual activity in your home, like "the sound of glass breaking during a break in or your smoke alarm going off, and it can send an alert to your phone or tablet to let you know."

Pixel 10 Pro XL's charging advantage explained

Read more here

Google seems to be playing favorites when it comes to granting charging speeds for its models. Only the Pixel 10 Pro XL supports up to 25W faster wireless charging (Qi2.2), while its smaller siblings, the Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro, support only up to 15W wireless charging (Qi2), and there's a good reason why.

During the Pixel 10 series showcase, a Google spokesperson explained that Google took this decision due to several factors. "One of the biggest challenges with wireless charging is managing heat. Wireless charging can heat devices significantly, which can in turn harm the battery, wearing it down faster (or in rare cases even catching fire).

Some Pixel 6a models have also been catching fire while charging, which could explain Google taking an extra cautious approach.

Google Photo's new editing UI woes

Read more here

Google has rolled out a new photo editing UI, and it seems like not many users are happy about it. One of them took to the Google Pixel subreddit to post an in-depth review of the latest Photos app editor UI changes.

They claim the new photo editor is "unusable" and even "less functional" when compared to the app's previous design. Some of the other complaints were that the "display image" during photo editing was considerably smaller, and made the UI look "cluttered."

Furthermore, the community pointed out that they lost some of the features that they really felt were useful, like the "Pop and Sharpen" sliders (which are now applied as actions), quickly toggling a slider on and off, and most notably, the perspective correction tool, which was a favorite for straightening photos.

More stories this week

Those are some of the biggest stories from this week. Meanwhile, here are some other stories that are worth catching up on:

• Google exec's brief Gemini teaser foresees the AI in your car, TV, and home
• Smart ring rivalry heats up: Ultrahuman sues Oura over patent claims
• Fitbit users rejoice as Dark Mode finally hits Android in latest update
• Pixel 10 says goodbye to reverse charging in favor of Qi2 magnets
• The Pixel 10 series rekindles the history of Google's phones from 2016 to today
• Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1: What's new after the Pixel 10 launch event?
• The Garmin August 2025 update throws the Forerunner 970's best tricks onto other watches
• Google expands Pixel ecosystem with new Qi2 Pixelsnap and Pixel Watch 4 accessories
• Base Pixel 10 (again) misses out on the free year of Google AI Pro
• Meta’s next-gen smart glasses could land next month for less cash than you’d think

The best Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold screen protectors include coverage for the external screen as well as the internal bendable screen. If you're not comfortable changing the internal screen protector or just not interested in it, you can skip that part and stick with one for only the outer display. The foldable Pixel 10 already comes with a flexible film installed on the flexible screen out of the box, and it works fine.

For the external display, you can opt for tempered glass or TPU film protectors. Depending on what sort of finish and feel you're looking for, both sorts do the job of preventing damage to the screen. Have a look at the best Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold screen protectors that are available right now.

These Pixel 10 Pro Fold screen protectors can me mixed and matched

• Back to the top ^

Screen protectors for foldables like the Pixel 10 Pro Fold can get tricky

It's not always the easiest thing to choose a screen protector for your foldable phone, especially when it comes to the internal foldable screen. For one thing, you certainly can't use glass inside, restricting you to only flexible plastic films. However, most foldable phone brands advise against swapping out the factory-installed internal screen guard yourself unless it's absolutely necessary.

The choice is yours, but it doesn't hurt to buy a multi-pack and have spares lying around when you need them. This is more useful, rather than waiting around for an accident to happen and then taking action. This is why the Milomdoi 9 in 1 Screen Protector is the optimal choice for any Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold owner. It includes it all — two installation frames to make the alignment and installation effortless and smooth, three sets of tempered glass screen protectors for the outer screen, three sets of darkened glass camera lens protectors, three self-repairing TPU films for the insides of the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, and a cleaning kit. Milomdoi includes a handy QR code on the instruction manual that leads you to a step-by-step instruction video for installation, which is a neat little touch.

If you want to stick with just an external screen protector for your Google foldable, then there are plenty of choices as well. Depending on the price range you're gunning for, you can score something ultra-durable from ZAGG for $60 or settle for an upper-mid-ranger like Spigen's crack-proof GlasTR EZ FIT two-pack. And if you're planning on using a phone case with your Pixel 10 Pro Fold, you can always opt for the premium Dbrand Pixel 10 Pro Fold Prism 2.0 (Case Friendly) 2-Pack Screen Protector for $35.

It's been a couple of days since Google officially revealed its entire flagship lineup in the Pixel 10 series. However, it did so in a way that was less of a spectacle and felt more like a morning talk show. Sure, part of the reason it felt like that was because Jimmy Fallon was the host, but that was really how the overall structure of the "event" felt.

There are two things that Google proved during the event. The first of which is that it's clear Google is doing whatever it can to appeal to a wider audience, beyond just releasing cutesy commercials when new phones are announced. The second, might not be as obvious to some, but host Jimmy Fallon proved that the world is ready (and longing) for a foldable iPhone.

Is this a new Google?

The new format of the Pixel 10 launch event was Google's attempt at getting more consumers excited about the latest phones and features. Traditionally, these kinds of launch events are structured without much wiggle room, and maybe sometimes come with a "skit" designed to inform, excite, and showcase. Instead, we were greeted with a surprise early embargo drop, subsequently followed by Google doing its best impression of "The Tonight Show."

What really drove the point home for me was the actual product showcase portion, where Adrienne Lofton, VP of Global Consumer Marketing at Google, gave us the "CliffNotes" of the new Pixel lineup. It almost felt like one of those morning talk show kitchen segments, with Lofton talking about everything that Google's been cooking up. Google took the idea of a morning talk show and turned it into a device launch, complete with special guests, mini-skits, and a couple of interviews.

Fallon and Lofton played off each other quite well, even when the "A Word" was mentioned regarding Pixelsnap. This is pretty uncommon, and I can't imagine anyone from Samsung or Apple, besides Craig Federighi, even entertaining the idea of participating in something like it. That's to say, kudos to Google for stepping outside of the box, because despite how cringey some of the jokes were, the almost hour and a half long show flew by.

The foldable demand is there, just hiding

With all of that, there was one particular moment that stood out to me, and that's when the Pixel 10 Pro Fold was being shown off. I don't know if it was genuine or not, but Fallon seemed more excited about the Fold than anything else found in the smorgasbord on the table in front of him. For about 30 seconds, it appeared as though he just zoned out while doing nothing but opening and closing the Fold.

Then Lofton went on to talk about how the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is the first foldable equipped with an IP68 rating, which prompted a bit of forced excitement from Fallon. Without skipping a beat, the very next topic was about Pixelsnap, and how it works "perfectly fine with your Apple MagSafe accessories," to which Fallon responded with "You said the 'A' word." After that, the pair spoke briefly about RCS, which naturally included mentioning the whole Green Bubbles vs. Blue Bubbles trope.

Of the almost 17-minute segment, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold got about two minutes of the spotlight. While the Fold made sporadic appearances throughout the entire event, it was nothing like the rest of the Pixel 10 lineup and Pixel Watch 4.

That, along with Fallon's aforementioned excitement, feigned or otherwise, just drove home the point that foldable phones are still viewed as second-class citizens, albeit more expensive ones. Sadly, I think that will continue to be the case until Apple makes its long-awaited arrival with a foldable iPhone.

A storm might be brewing

Recent headlines might suggest otherwise, with a Canalys report (via CNBC) sharing that Samsung has seen a surge in market share from 23% to 31% between Q2 2024 and Q2 2025. Another report from Counterpoint Research says foldable phone sales "are growing rapidly, especially for book-type foldables" in Europe.

Notably, Samsung shared that both the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 demolished pre-order records, "outpacing last year's models by over 25%." The company also revealed that the Fold 7 specifically "is selling nearly 50% faster than the one before it."

Meanwhile, Apple's market share has dropped from 56% to 49% over the time frame. Which, paired with Siri basically being the laughing stock of on-device assistants, doesn't bode well for a company that has been regarded as the "best" for years. Of course, this is just a relatively small sample size, and it's worth noting that Apple's next iPhone isn't expected to launch until next month.

This could result in Apple deciding to move up its internal timeline and release a foldable phone to compete with the likes of Samsung, Google, and Motorola. Last month, Mark Gurman of Bloomberg claimed that Apple will introduce "its first foldable iPhone at the end of next year." Gurman goes on to say that instead of offering its take on a flip-style foldable, we should be seeing something more along the lines of the Z Fold 7, Pixel 10 Pro Fold, etc.

Between the foldable market rebounding in a big way at the same time that Apple is seemingly struggling, we could be in store for the perfect storm that takes the form factor into the mainstream. And not just as a footnote.

The Google Pixel 10 lineup represents a big milestone for Pixel, and a lot has changed between the very first Pixel and its tenth generation. Instead of two sizes, the Google Pixel 10 series now includes four models. There's a base-model Pixel 10, the "professional" Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL, and the big-screen foldable Pixel 10 Pro Fold. As of February 2026, the all-new Pixel 10a joins the group as a budget option

With a lineup this diverse, there's sure to be something for everyone. There is a Google Pixel 10 model in just about every price point, as the offerings start as low as $499 and top out at $1,799 for this year. The three standard Pixel 10 models hit shelves Aug. 28 and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold debuted later on Oct. 9. The newest Google Pixel 10a is available for pre-order and will officially release March 5.

The number of options and the similarities between them make choosing the right Pixel 10 model to buy a bit tricky. There are consistencies across every mainline Pixel 10 device, like the Tensor G5 processor, triple-camera systems, and magnetic Qi2 support. However, the cheaper Pixel 10a lacks every one of those characteristics due to cost-cutting measures. In this guide, we'll help you figure out which one you should buy after going hands-on with every Google Pixel 10 model.

Google Pixel 10 series: At a glance

Google Pixel 10a: The budget one

The Google Pixel 10a seems to have more in common with the Pixel 9a than the rest of the Pixel 10 lineup, which might be confusing to buyers. While all the other Pixel 10 phones have the latest Tensor G5 processor and Qi2 magnets, the Pixel 10a has neither. Without significant upgrades to the chip, display, battery, and cameras, anyone considering the Pixel 10a should think about whether the Pixel 9a would serve their needs just as well.

It's a shaky time for smartphone pricing, especially in the midrange segment. The OnePlus 15R now costs $700 and the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE comes in at $650 these days. Instead of raising the price of the Pixel 10a and adding new features, Google seemingly chose to keep things the same — including the $500 starting price. The Pixel 10a also comes with a refreshed software update clock, as it starts with Android 16 and will get seven more years of Android OS upgrades thereafter.

That's not to say nothing has changed. The Google Pixel 10a sports a brighter display that can now reach up to 3,000 nits peak brightness, and the screen is covered in Gorilla Glass 7i. The wired charging speeds are upped to 30W when you use Google's 45W power adapter (sold separately). The camera hardware is the same, but software features including Camera Coach, Macro Focus, and Auto Best Take have been added.

The biggest Pixel 10a difference is the rear camera cover — it's completely flush with the plastic back of the device. There's no camera bump to speak of, so the 9mm thickness of the Pixel 10a is really 9mm. This might be desirable if you like to use your phone caseless and don't want a camera bar in the way. Other than that, though, the Pixel 10a is the Pixel 9a with a few tweaks.

There is definitely a market for the Pixel 10a, but if you want the true Pixel 10 experience, you need to go with the Pixel 10 or higher. The Pixel 10a is a neat phone, but it lacks the features and components that make a Pixel 10 a Pixel 10.

Google Pixel 10: The starter AI phone

The Google Pixel 10 is the starter Pixel, and it's the model everyone should look at first due to its attractive $799 price point.

This year, Google made the Pixel 10 more like the Pro models by adding a third camera sensor on the rear. It's a telephoto lens capable of delivering 5x optical zoom quality, and it beats competitors in this price bracket, such as the Samsung Galaxy S25. Paired with a 48MP primary shooter and a 13MP ultrawide, there's a lot to like about the base model for 2025.

The display is 6.3 inches, the same size as the pricier Google Pixel 10 Pro. On the cheaper Pixel 10, the AMOLED display panel has a lower pixel density (422ppi), lower peak brightness rating (3,000 nits), and a less fluid refresh rate (60-120Hz). These are all sacrifices you'll make by choosing the Pixel 10 instead of the Pixel 10 Pro, but frankly, you probably won't notice them in daily use.

In terms of design, the Pixel 10 closely mimics the Pixel 9. You have a boxy form factor, a screen with rounded corners, and the oval-shaped Pixel camera housing on the back. It's thicker and heavier this year, measuring 8.6mm thick and weighing 204 grams. Personally, I don't like to see base-model phones weigh over 200 grams in 2025 — the Galaxy S25 and iPhone 16 fall way under this threshold. You might be willing to overlook it thanks to the tech inside.

Like every Pixel 10 model, the standard version has built-in magnets for full Qi2 wireless charging support out of the box. It is missing a few features found on other Pixel phones, though. Notably, this version only has Wi-Fi 6E support, down from Wi-Fi 7 on the Pixel 9. The starting 128GB storage configuration also uses UFS 3.1 instead of UFS 4.0 on the 256GB variant, so you might want to upgrade.

With that being said, if you only need the basics and want an exciting smartphone, the Google Pixel 10 is an excellent option.

Google Pixel 10 Pro: Small size, big features

The Google Pixel 10 Pro is for people who want more features and premium hardware in the same footprint as the base Pixel 10. A few years ago, smartphone brands all but forced power users to buy gargantuan phones to get the latest features. Fast-forward to the Pixel 10 series, and the Pixel 10 Pro matches the larger Pixel 10 Pro XL in every way but one. (The former only has Qi2 15W support, while the latter has Qi2 25W support thanks to better thermal management.)

This makes the Pixel 10 Pro the perfect "middle child" of the lineup. It's identical to the standard Pixel 10 in size, to the point that both models can share cases and accessories. That means the Pixel 10 Pro is also 8.6mm thick, but is slightly heavier at 207 grams. Compared to the base model, the Pixel 10 Pro swaps the glossy back for matte glass and the matte rails for polished aluminum ones.

As previously mentioned, the Pixel 10 Pro offers a major display upgrade. Even though it's the same size as the Pixel 10, the "Pro" version has a higher resolution, full 1Hz-120Hz variable refresh rate support, and a higher 3,300-nit peak brightness rating. Best of all, there are new accessibility features that can increase the PWM rate of the Pixel 10 Pro display for people with sensitive eyes.

The Google Pixel 10 Pro still starts with 128GB of storage for $999, but it's configurable up to 1TB and features 16GB of RAM (compared to the Pixel 10's 12GB). The extra available memory could help the Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold pull more performance out of the same Tensor G5 chip.

Lastly, the Pixel 10 Pro is the cheapest model to include Google's professional-grade camera system. You get a 50MP main camera, a 48MP ultrawide with a 123-degree field-of-view and macro focus, and a 48MP 5x telephoto lens. These are all upgrades over the comparable sensors in the base model. As such, mobile photography fans should pick at least a Pixel 10 Pro.

You should buy a Pixel 10 Pro if you want a compact phone that won't be hard to use with one hand without sacrificing features. With Wi-Fi 7 and more memory, it's a more future-proofed option than the standard Pixel 10.

Google Pixel 10 Pro XL: The biggest and best

The Google Pixel 10 Pro XL is the best traditional smartphone available in Google's lineup for 2025. Take everything from the Pixel 10 Pro, add a 6.8-inch display and Qi2 25W support, and you have the Pixel 10 Pro XL. This large device is for people who aren't concerned with weight or portability, and I mean really aren't concerned — the Pixel 10 Pro XL measures 162.8mm x 76.6mm x 8.5mm and weighs 232 grams.

Google starts the Pixel 10 Pro XL with 256GB of storage, and the phone is priced higher at $1,199 as a result. Just like the smaller Pixel 10 Pro, the XL version can be configured with up to 1TB of storage. It's also available in Obsidian, Porcelain, Moonstone, and Jade colorways.

Otherwise, the big perks that come with picking up the Pixel 10 Pro XL over the other models have to do with battery and charging. The largest slab Pixel packs a 5,200mAh battery capacity, which is a bump from the 5,060mAh battery within the Pixel 9 Pro XL. Crucially, the Pixel 10 Pro XL finally charges faster, supporting 45W wired and 25W wireless.

Although all the Pixel 10 models support Qi2, the Pixel 10 Pro XL supports Qi2.2, the latest specification of the wireless charging standard that Google helped create. This unlocks the fastest 25W wireless charging speeds with the right accessories.

Although the screen is bigger and the resolution is slightly different, it's essentially the same panel as the Pixel 10 Pro. You can expect the same quality and brightness level as the smaller Pro model. In terms of cameras, the hardware is identical.

As such, the choice between the Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL really comes down to which size you prefer. If you love consuming content on a big screen, I'd recommend picking up the Pixel 10 Pro XL.

Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold: The one for the multitaskers

By now, everyone is aware of folding phones, but not everyone is on board. Foldables have their die-hard fans, their detractors, and those who are curious about them. Regardless of which camp you might fall into, the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold has something that'll catch your eye. Naturally, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold and its $1,799 price point will make it a niche option in the broader Pixel 10 lineup.

The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold is almost identical to its predecessor, save for a few small but important changes. The cover screen is extended to 6.4 inches, making it feel even more like a traditional Pixel on the outside. Google managed this feat without changing the device's overall dimensions by slimming the hinge assembly and cover screen bezel.

Speaking of the hinge, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is notably the first foldable phone to be IP68-certified. The water-resistance isn't new, but the dust-resistance absolutely is. The designation means you should be able to daily drive the Pixel 10 Pro Fold like any other phone, taking it with you to the park or beach and everywhere in between without damaging it.

On the inside, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold greets users with an 8-inch main display that's the same size as its biggest competitor — the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7. Unlike the Galaxy Z Fold 7, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is slightly thicker than the model it replaces at 10.8mm, not thinner. The Google foldable's 258-gram weight is pretty insane compared to the competition, too.

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold's camera system is unchanged, and it sports a 48MP main camera, a 10.5MP ultrawide lens with macro focus, and a 10.8MP 5x telephoto camera. These are all camera lenses that seem to have appeared on other devices, like the Pixel 9a and now the Pixel 10, so they aren't new.

I find it hard to justify the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold due to its thickness and weight; they just aren't competitive with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7. Regardless, you should choose the Pixel 10 Pro Fold if things like Qi2, Material 3 Expressive, and other Google exclusives are absolute must-haves on your foldable.

For more news and information on Google's latest phones, check out our Ultimate Guide

What you need to know

• IDC analysts believe the latest Google event confirms the company's shift to an "AI-first" strategy.
• A major advantage for Google is its ability to deeply integrate its new Gemini AI across all its devices, from phones to the new Pixel Watch 4.
• Despite ongoing challenges in gaining market share, Google's consistent focus on hardware is being well-received by customers and retailers.

Made by Google 2025 just wrapped up this week, and while we're basking in the glow of these new devices, IDC's analysts have been keenly watching Google's every move. From the tech giant's Pixel strategy to AI integration and market positioning, IDC says that this latest launch offers an insight into how Google is gaining a footing in a "premium-dominated smartphone landscape."

To start, the Pixel 10 series launched as a four-device lineup this year, similar to past years, comprising the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. At a glance, Google seems to have stuck to its usual rounded-cornered design with its phones, with an aluminum polished frame for its body, showcasing the large camera bar on its rear panel.

Jitesh Ubrani, research manager at IDC, told Android Central that Made by Google this year was less about the hardware and "more a window into the future, showcasing the latest AI features from Gemini that are available first on Pixel devices."

This year's show was indeed different; it didn't have the usual format of Google's bigwigs talking about the device or its specs, but they leaned a lot into how you can "ask more from your phone."

Android Central Senior Editor Jerry Hildenbrand noted that "Google made a switch to being AI-first now, especially on the hardware front." This pivot implies that Google might be designing its phones specifically to be vehicles for AI—a change from merely integrating AI features into existing hardware.

Google is pushing the boundaries of its devices by bringing deeper AI integration. Despite keeping its camera specs the same as last year on the Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL, it seems to be making up for it with tailored AI tools.

"New AI features, such as “Camera Coach”, “Conversational Editing” and “Magic Cue”, ensure that you have access to one of the most innovative smartphones available on the market,” said Anthony Scarsella, Research Director at IDC.

It isn't just the phones that got an AI boost this year; the Pixel Watch 4 also arrived, a wearable that serves "AI on your wrist." While it may look exactly like last year's model, Google did make some hardware tweaks to make the smartwatch look premium. It made the interesting choice to include a domed display underneath the glass. It's a very slight curve, but it's noticeable enough.

"It's clearly meant to accentuate the new Wear OS 6 Material 3 Expressive UI while pushing content as close to the glass as possible," said Android Central's managing editor Derrek Lee in his Pixel Watch 4 hands-on.

Hardware changes aside, IDC's Research Director Ramon Llamas feels that "the real step-up is the personal health coach powered by Gemini designing user-specific fitness plans and providing real-time feedback."

Lastly, while Google is making consistent progress with its hardware, IDC feels that the recent devices from the tech company are competitive in terms of both design and price, keeping pace with the rest of the industry.

"Leveraging Google's AI advancements through Gemini across all products/ecosystems is a big advantage. Despite challenges in expanding device market share, Google's consistency and dedication to hardware are resonating with channels and customers,” said Ryan Reith, Group Vice President, Devices, IDC.

What you need to know

• Pixel 10 series supports Qi2 wireless charging but removes reverse charging feature.
• Google says due to built-in magnets, the Battery Share feature isn't available on Pixel 10 phones.
• HMD Skyline supports reverse charging despite also having Qi2 magnets.

One of the highlighting features on the new Google Pixel 10 phones is (finally) support for native Qi2 wireless charging. However, it looks like it comes at a cost, as Google seems to have removed reverse wireless charging from the Pixel 10 phones.

Google, in a statement to Droidreader, confirmed that the Pixel 10 series no longer ships with the Battery Share feature. Battery Share is what Google called reverse wireless charging on Pixel phones, and the company confirmed that due to a "physical limitation," Battery Share isn't "currently" available on the Pixel 10 series.

That "physical limitation" is the "array of magnets," according to Google. The statement says the magnets create a strong connection, but prevent Battery Share from working on the Pixel 10. The company added that while the feature isn't "currently" available, it is "exploring future innovations" to improve the Pixel experience.

Blame the magnets

Battery Share has been a feature on Pixel phones since the launch of the Pixel 5 in October 2020. It allowed users to wirelessly charge other devices, such as earbuds or even other phones, by placing them on the back of the Pixel. And even though it provided only slow 5W wireless charging, it was handy in critical situations for a lot of users.

It now looks like Google has removed the feature entirely. The Pixel 10 specs page doesn't list Battery Share, and the company's statement confirmed the change.

What's puzzling is that the only other Qi2-certified phone, the HMD Skyline, still supports 5W reverse wireless charging despite also having magnets on the back. It could be a limitation of the new Qi 2.2.1 standard that Google is likely using for the Pixel 10, but considering Apple is expected to bring reverse charging to the iPhone 17 series, it seems unlikely.

Well, for now, the feature seems to have been dropped.

Google just announced its latest batch of Pixel phones, including the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, and we couldn't be more excited. Although its a bummer that Google's latest foldable won't arrive until October, being able to save over $1,000 will definitely help soften the blow.

As it currently stands, the best Pixel 10 Pro Fold deal that we've found so far comes from Best Buy. The phone retails for the same $1,799 price as its predecessor, but pre-ordering from Best Buy knocks the price down to $1,039 when trading in. Plus, Best Buy will give you a $350 gift card for free, so you're basically getting the Fold for less than $700.

✅Recommended if: You want a foldable phone with IP68 water and dust resistance, along with an excellent set of cameras and an even better software experience.

❌Skip this deal if: You don't have an existing phone that can take full advantage of the deal, or you don't want to pay out of pocket for an unlocked phone.

Going into 2025, we were interested to see what Google was going to deliver with its next foldable phone. And while it's not quite as dramatic of an upgrade compared to last year's model, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold still managed to surprise on multiple levels.

The sleek design introduced last year makes its return, still making for one of the thinnest foldable phones available. Google's knocked it out of the park with the color choices too, as they're both simply fantastic.

More important than the design are the changes that you won't immediately see. For one, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is the first foldable phone to feature an IP68 rating, something that even Samsung didn't achieve with its Galaxy Z Fold 7. Some of this was made possible thanks to the upgrades to the hinge and the glass found on the inner display.

Not only that, but we should see some pretty impressive performance gains with the Tensor G5. It might not be able to match up with the Snapdragon 8 Elite, but it brings Google a closer to the top than we expected.

Everything to know about the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold's battery and charging specs

The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold finally made its debut at the Made by Google event on August 20, 2025. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold not only packs a brand-new TSMC-made Tensor G5 chipset, but the company has also improved the charging speeds and battery capacity of its latest book-style foldable

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold ships with a 5,015 mAh battery, which is an increase of 365 mAh compared to its predecessor, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. As for charging speed, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold supports up to 39W fast wired charging with a USB-C cable. This is a massive increase over the 21W charging speed we saw with Google's previous-generation foldable phone.

According to Google, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold can charge up to 50% in about 30 minutes when using a 30W USB-C charger. The charging time will drop further if you use a 45W USB-C charger recommended by Google.

This is a massive jump not only because Google has almost doubled charging speeds in one generation, but also because the Pixel 10 Pro Fold offers more than 50% faster charging than its direct competitor, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7. The foldable from Samsung still offers only 25W wired charging.

And that's not all, Google has packed major upgrades into the wireless charging technology as well. Similar to all Pixel 10 models, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold supports Qi2 magnetic wireless charging, meaning you no longer need a third-party case or sticker to charge your Pixel using a magnetic charger. Instead, you can stick your Pixel 10 Pro Fold, similar to an iPhone, on a MagSafe charger.

Moreover, thanks to Qi2 support, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold also delivers up to 15W wireless charging, double the 7.5W of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. This means wireless charging times should be significantly shorter. Google will also be offering a number of official Qi2 charging accessories as part of its new Pixelsnap lineup.