Highs and Lows | Pixel 10 Pro Fold 1-Month Later
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold is finally here, and after a solid month of using it as my main phone, I figured it was time for a real-talk check-in. Now that I've had the Pixel 10 Pro Fold for one month, I thought it would be fun to check back in and see how my thoughts have crystalized after the initial review period.
The quick summary? This phone is awesome. Its Highs are so strong that I can't put it down, even with the Z Fold 7 and Honor Magic V5 sitting right here. While the Lows are definitely a collection of annoying, fixable quirks that Google needs to sort out, they don't ruin the experience.
The Lows: Minor Annoyances Google Needs to Fix
These issues are frustrating and I think require Google’s attention the most. These are the things that prevent this phone from being my permanent daily carry, even if they fall short of ruining the experience.
It's Not The Fastest. We all know the Tensor G5 chip isn't an outright powerhouse. While most users will never notice a difference while doing normal phone things like scrolling social media, quickly editing a photo or doing some shopping (see the upcoming Wife Approved Tech video), it is absolutely true that a device running a snapdragon processor simply is faster. Of course, Google claims that Tensor is for AI and that is where it thrives. The thing is, when you put the 10 Pro Fold next to something like the Z Fold 7 and have them both do AI tasks, the Z Fold is usually faster. I just don’t buy the claim that Tensor enables anything a Snapdragon couldn’t do, likely faster. Google needs to step up their SOC game quick. A GPU driver update would be nice too..
Multitasking Needs Polish. The lack of a simple Split Screen Gesture is annoying. While the taskbar is perfectly adequate for dragging in that second app, I’ve grown use to quicker and more intuitive gestures from other OEMs. Samsung and OnePlus/Oppo allow a two finger swipe, Honor has a swipe gesture as well. Some of these even use the desktop for selecting your second app. It’s 2025 and we still have no floating windows and we still can’t split the screen between more than two apps. It’s clear this just isn’t a priority for Google and it should be.
The Photos Lack Punch. The claim to fame for Pixel cameras for years has been the point and shoot aspect. You rarely have to take a second shot and that is still 100% true of the 10 Pro Fold. The problem I have with the camera is that the photos are just.. boring? Comparing shots on newer Pixels to shots on some older models, it’s clear that Google isn’t pushing for punchy, ore stylish shots they used to. While the 10 Pro Fold does produce shots that are a bit more saturated than last year, they need to bring back the contrast too. I’m not saying my Pixel 2 takes batter photos, I’m saying the photos have more kick.
It’s Noticeably Heavy. It's hard to forget this phone is in your pocket. Compared to the Galaxy Z Fold 7, this thing is a brick. While I think it’s more than thin enough, it could stand to lose some weight. 258g is too heavy while Samsung has gotten under 220g.
The 5 Highs: What Makes the Pixel 10 Pro Fold Stand Out
These are the reasons I keep coming back to the 10 Pro Fold despite the fact that I have an Honor Magic V5 and the Z Fold 7 in my possession. Here’s what makes the Pixel worth buying.
Exceptional Battery Life: The 5015 mAh cell paired with the Tensor G5's efficiency is a game-changer. I make it through the day easily with this phone. Even heavy days on cell with lots of photos are no problem at all. This is a no battery anxiety phone for me.
The Cover Display Nails It: The outer screen is exactly what a primary phone screen should be. Its classic 20:9 aspect ratio means I can comfortably scroll, type, and navigate one-handed without feeling forced to unfold it for every basic task. Typing is comfortable as well. The Fold 7 gets close, this nails it.
The AI and Software are Unbeatable: This is the core reason to buy a Pixel. The phone is genuinely smarter than the competition. Voice typing on this phone is far beyond the competition. It’s accurate, fast and yes, smarter. You can use commands while voice typing to delete things, send the message or even rewrite things with AI. All hands free. Pixel Studio is excellent for making custom wallpapers or dumb images to send to friends and it’s getting even better with the ability to animate those images. Help Me Edit has been hugely helpful for me at making thumbnails for my channel, replacing backgrounds on product shots in seconds. And then there’s Material 3 Expressive. For my money, the best looking UI on any phone. Why is Google the only OEM who has thought to make the notification shade show the quick settings side-by-side on a large screen instead of making you swipe an addition time?
Pixel Snap is an Ecosystem Win: Supporting the Qi2 magnetic standard (Pixel Snap) is brilliant, solving the "bulky case" problem. I can instantly snap a charger or accessory to the back without needing a protective case, letting me keep the phone as slim as possible while still using magnetic accessories.
Superior Speaker Quality: For a device designed partially for media consumption, the stereo speakers are a genuine delight. They are loud, clear, and well-balanced, providing an immersive audio experience that makes streaming on the massive inner screen incredibly enjoyable and the layout preserves stereo separation no matter how you hold it.
My Final Verdict After 30 Days
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold succeeds where it matters most: battery life, usability, and intelligence. The strengths are foundational and make the device a genuinely compelling daily driver.
The lows can be frustrating, but a lot of it could be fixed through future updates. That being said, buy a phone for what it is right now, not what it could be later. If Google polishes these few quirks, they won't just have a great foldable, they will have the best foldable, period.