According to a new report, Google’s upcoming Pixel 10 Pro Fold will somehow be the first foldable with dust resistance that matches a traditional smartphone, and that just seems way too good to be true.
One of the biggest trade-offs with any foldable is in durability. Beyond screens that occasionally falter, there’s an inherent downside to this form factor in that there are unavoidable gaps in the hardware that allow ingress from outside debris. Foldables have come a long way, with water resistance nowadays matching that of a traditional smartphone.
But no one has really figured out dust yet.
Most foldables have something like an “IPX8” rating, meaning it’s fine for them to be submerged in water, but sand at the beach could be a problem. There are exceptions to the rule, though. Motorola managed to deliver IP48 protection on its Razr (2025) series thanks to a new hinge design. That protects the device against “solid foreign objects of 1.0mm and greater.” Not nearly enough to protect against dust, but better than nothing. Vivo, meanwhile, is teasing IP5X dust resistance on its new Vivo X Fold 5.
Could Google beat everyone with its next Pixel?
That’s what Android Headlines claims. The publication says that the Pixel 10 Pro Fold will ship with IP68 dust and water resistance, being the first foldable to do so. As a reminder, “6” on the IP scale for foreign objects means the device is fully “dust-tight.” That’d be an impressive accomplishment on a foldable with moving parts. It’d be an enticing selling point for Google’s foldable, too, as no one else competes with that for the time being. There are rumors that Samsung might be upgrading dust resistance on its new foldables, but Google launching the Pixel 10 Pro Fold with IP68 dust and water resistance would not only be unprecedented, but highly unexpected.
For now, maybe take this one with a grain of salt – just don’t let that grain get close to your foldable.
Google is rumored to launch its new foldable alongside the rest of the Pixel 10 series in late August.
More on Pixel:
- Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold leaks in first renders [Gallery]
- Report: Google’s switch to TSMC for Pixel 10 chip was a ‘shock’ and wake-up call for Samsung
- Google Pixel 10 series launch date might actually be August 20
Follow Ben: Twitter/X, Threads, Bluesky, and Instagram
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Comments