The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold is The Most Sturdy Folding Phone, and That Makes it Particular

Durability has all the time been an Achilles heel for folding smartphones. When the unique Samsung Galaxy Fold launched in 2019, its futuristic type issue was hampered by an extremely fragile show. In the seven years since, there have been many iterations and the telephones have gotten way more usable, however anybody who’s used one (myself included) will let you know that they require extra care than the common cellphone, and that sensitivity is one among a handful of the explanation why they’re powerful to suggest in the event you don’t actively need one.

That’s altering, although. The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold, which launched final summer time, is the primary folding cellphone with an IP68 ingress safety score, matching the waterproofing and dustproofing you get from an iPhone or the usual Pixel 10. After spending a number of months with the cellphone in my pocket, that is the primary folding cellphone I actually really feel comfy telling the common individual to purchase, particularly as a result of it could deal with the damage and tear of on a regular basis life, and I didn’t want to fret about it any greater than I do another gadget.

And I do suggest it. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold is smooth and delivers stellar technical efficiency, together with its sharp multi-sensor digicam. It’s been my go-to Android cellphone, and I believe it’s going to proceed to be for some time.

It’s All About the Hinge

Shoring the Pixel 10 Pro Fold’s sturdiness began with a brand new gearless show hinge that “dramatically will increase its resilience to put on and particles,” according to a Google engineer involved in the phone’s design.

The hinge itself acts as the central spine of the phone’s chassis, creating a perfectly flat, stable surface for the flexible display. That protects the screen from pressure and torsion. It also gives the phone a satisfyingly smooth opening action, which makes using the phone that much more fun.

According to Google, that hinge is built to last through a decade of use — far longer than the processor and battery inside. I was told the engineering team developed new tests to stress test it, simulating hundreds of thousands of folds and exposure to extreme temperatures.

That’s all very technical, though, and frankly, there’s a lot of jargon that we’ve filtered out of the explanation. The difference here is simple: The hinge has made the phone a bit more rigid and less susceptible to dirt and dust. I felt comfortable taking the phone with me to the beach and on a hike. I was able to carry it around and feel comfortable using it because an accidental dip in the sand or a fall onto a dirt trail wasn’t a major risk to the display.

That doesn’t mean it’s perfect. I was still a bit more careful about dropping the Pixel 10 Pro Fold than I would be with a standard phone. Even though it’s tougher than other folding phones, the shape-shifting mechanics are still an extra weak point that could theoretically create a problem. I, of course, did my best to deal with the issue by slapping on a protective case.

This Doesn’t Mean Folding Phones Are For Everybody

Samsung’s Stunning design and flexibility apart, book-style foldable telephones are costly. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 begins at $2,000, and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is obtainable for $1,800. Motorola introduced a 3rd competitor, the Razr Fold, at CES 2026, which is able to launch this summer time. Rumors of a folding iPhone have been current for a while, however there’s nonetheless no phrase on when or if Apple will announce it.

All of which is to say, the folding phone is still a niche item, and I’m not necessarily saying that you need to run out and buy one as your next upgrade. If you’re thinking about trying one out, though, I think the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is the smart choice because it’s the one that feels like it’s actually built for real life. The Z Fold7 has a bit of an edge in processing power, but the Pixel’s tougher build, superior battery performance, and lower starting price make it a more practical choice.

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