Past the Alphabet
Past the Alphabet is a weekly column that focuses on the tech world each in and out of the confines of Mountain View.
If you happen to had informed me three years in the past that not solely would Google launch a foldable, however that it is now set to launch its third iteration, I’d’ve chuckled. But, right here we’re, with the Pixel 10 Professional Fold set to reach in October, a few months after its non-foldable counterparts.
After the unique Pixel Fold, Google stunned many and launched the Pixel 9 Professional Fold, introducing an all-new design that was each smooth, fashionable, and extremely skinny. With the most important redesign out of the way in which, the Pixel 10 Professional Fold focuses extra on the trivialities, making just a few seemingly iterative tweaks.
With that in thoughts, you are possible questioning whether or not to purchase the Pixel 10 Professional Fold or go for one thing else. We’re right here to supply a bit extra perception into the explanation why or why not it is best to improve to Google’s newest foldable.
Why you should purchase a Pixel 10 Professional Fold
Let’s tackle the largest cause why it is best to improve to the Pixel 10 Professional Fold out of the way in which: it is the one foldable cellphone with an IP68 ranking. Though many different foldables have an IP ranking, lots of them are capped at IP48, whereas others nonetheless do not provide any kind of mud safety.
That is to not say that it is best to instantly take your foldable to the seaside or toss it in a bucket of water. However contemplating that sturdiness is without doubt one of the greatest sticking factors for these contemplating foldables, the IP68 ranking goes a great distance.
Past that, the following greatest cause to purchase the Pixel 10 Professional Fold is all about efficiency. Google did an admirable job with the Tensor G4, regardless of benchmarks placing it far behind the competitors. Even nonetheless, the 9 Professional Fold barely skipped a beat, even with all the numerous Gemini additions that have been launched.
Whereas the Tensor G5 within the Pixel 10 Professional Fold would not fairly match up with the Snapdragon 8 Elite, Google says it offers greater than a 30% increase to CPU efficiency over the G4. Maybe extra importantly, the G5 improves on-device AI efficiency by roughly 60%, giving Gemini ample room to develop.
After which there are a number of minor particulars that is perhaps sufficient to assist sway you to hitch the foldable life-style. This contains options like Pixelsnap, which lastly brings Qi2 and MagSafe equipment with out requiring adapters or distinctive instances. Google additionally managed to include a bigger battery, claiming that the ten Professional Fold can last as long as 30 hours on a single cost.
Moreover, Google applied these numerous enhancements with out rising the worth. The bottom mannequin remains to be priced at $1,799 for 256GB of storage, and a 1TB choice is now out there if you wish to flip the 10 Professional Fold right into a do-it-all cellphone.
Why you should not purchase a Pixel 10 Professional Fold
It is tough to seek out too many flaws with the Pixel 10 Professional Fold, however there are just a few frustrations and omissions. Most notable is the digicam {hardware}, which does not use the identical sensors because the Pixel 10 Professional, a cellphone that prices $800 much less.
Google appears okay with leaving any enhancements to the software program, with on-device processing doing extra of the heavy lifting in comparison with the non-foldable Pixel 10s. Of the three rear cameras, Google technically did improve the principle wide-angle lens.
Nonetheless, it is solely utilizing a more moderen 48MP sensor, whereas the telephoto and ultrawide cameras stay unchanged. I’ve little doubt that it will nonetheless take improbable photos, however with the Galaxy Z Fold 7 now sharing the identical major digicam sensor because the Galaxy S25 Extremely, Google’s choice is disappointing.
Lastly, $1800 for a foldable cellphone remains to be a tricky tablet to swallow. Particularly when seen from the angle of the final client.
You stroll right into a retailer and see the Galaxy Z Fold 7, with its all-new and smooth design, upgraded cameras, and filled with options that you’re going to by no means even notice are there. Then, you look the opposite course and see the Pixel 10 Professional Fold, which has a contemporary coat of paint, however seems fairly much like final yr’s mannequin.
There is a $200 distinction between the 2, and in a vacuum, ignoring finances constraints, I might should guess that extra individuals will attain for the Fold 7. Maybe it might be completely different if Google even dropped the worth by $100, narrowing its margins for a yr, simply to draw extra individuals into the Pixel ecosystem.
Some perceive the hidden prices that go into the creation of a smartphone. The remaining both do not know or do not care and simply see what seems like an iPhone-like launch cycle with seemingly minimal upgrades.
Attempting to resolve? Go along with your intestine
One factor that is throwing a wrench into the choice to purchase the Pixel 10 Professional Fold is that it is not out there but and will not be till October 9. Google says this is because of “provide chain points,” and whereas it should nonetheless arrive forward of the 2025 vacation frenzy, that does not assist those that wish to improve now.
You possibly can already stroll into mainly any service retailer or Greatest Purchase and stroll out with a Fold 7. Apple simply introduced its subsequent occasion, presumably the place the iPhone 17 collection can be launched, and there is a good likelihood it will be launched earlier than the Pixel 10 Professional Fold, too.
That is to say, should you had your coronary heart set on choosing up the Pixel 10 Professional Fold, I might say simply wait out the FOMO storm. No less than on paper, the enhancements look to be properly price it, and should you have been on the fence, there’s nothing incorrect with testing the Fold 7 waters to see the way you prefer it. There’s all the time a return window in case you alter your thoughts.
Personally, I am ready till the ten Professional Fold is launched earlier than utilizing my private improve.
