The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold is expected to overtake the Galaxy Z Fold 6 in one crucial respect

After a fiery start, the folding smartphone market has slowed down a bit. Improvements from one model to the next are marginal, there's a competition between Oppo and Honor for finesse, and ultimately there are relatively few substantial new features. The Galaxy Z Fold7, expected in early July, should simply make up for the delay Samsung has accumulated in recent years.

On the Google side, we're reportedly heading towards a Pixel 10 Pro Fold that's incredibly similar to its predecessor, except for one detail that isn't immediately apparent. According to Android Headlines, Google's foldable smartphone would be the first to support an IP 68 certification. Such a protection rating would guarantee complete immersion in fresh water, as well as complete resistance to dust.

Why the move to IP68 is strategically interesting

This is no small feat with a hinge, and even Samsung, which has been at the forefront of this issue so far, is still stuck at IP48 on its Galaxy Z Fold6 and Galaxy Z Flip6. Having used folding smartphones for several months, dust is often the element that ends up making the experience much less pleasant, with a hinge that no longer opens completely, and that sort of thing.

The move to IP68 is therefore not anecdotal at all, it would allow Pixel 10Pro Fold buyers to hope to keep their device in good condition for a little longer. That being said, during our long test of the Pixel 9Pro Fold, we highlighted some concerns about its durability. Let's hope that its successor holds up a little better over the long term.

Hinge change

To achieve this, the Mountain View giant has reportedly changed the hinge of its Pixel 10Pro Fold. This would not only be more resistant, but also smaller, allowing Google to increase the size of the external screen. This would go from 6.3 to 6.4 inches, all without changing the size of the device.

We will probably learn more this summer. Also according to Android Headlines, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is scheduled to launch on August 20, 2025, with a release date of August 28, 2025.