In summary
- Pixel 10 Pro Fold’s IP68 rating isn’t forever
- Google’s small print suggests it’ll fail
- Mechanical hinge likely to blame
The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold is the first foldable smartphone to add proper dust resistance certification, but it won’t last forever.
Perhaps the biggest hardware addition to the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold, besides ‘Pixelsnap’ Qi2 compatibility, is IP68 certification.
This makes it the first foldable ever to match the level of dust resistance supplied by your average non-foldable flagship phone.
But there’s a catch here, as highlighted by Google itself.
Read the small print
To accompany the launch of its new foldable, Google posted this to X, boasting of the Pixel 10 Pro Fold’s pioneering IP68 status.
Scan down to the small print, however, and the limitations of that dust resistant are revealed. “Water resistance and dust resistance are not permanent conditions and will diminish or be lost over time”, admits Google.
The reason for this degradation? Google cites “normal wear and tear, device repair, disassembly or damage”, but it’s that first “normal wear and tear” line that seems to be the most telling here.
Gaps in the Fold’s dust resistance rating
We weren’t aware that it was possible for a phone to lose an IP rating before, and the reason for that seems simple. No previous IP68-certified device has had to incorporate a large mechanical hinge.
Over the space of several years – or even more, if we’re taking Google’s seven year support promise at its word – that hinge is likely to loosen and any gaps expand, likely resulting in space opening up for fine dust to get in.
All of which is fine and natural, but the vagueness of Google’s language troubles us somewhat. Just how long can we expect the Pixel 10 Pro Fold to remain properly dust-proof?
If I were to hazard a guess, it would be that future foldables jumping aboard the IP68 bandwagon will seek to offer a hardware guarantee for such certification. It would be good to receive such reassurance of a device’s dust resistance, especially as you’re being asked to pay the best part of £2,000 for the privilege.
Author: Jon Mundy, Contributor, Tech Advisor
Jon is a freelance journalist who got his start covering mobile games at the dawn of the App Store. He has since covered everything from smart home tech and laptops to food and culture, but always seems to return to his fascination with smartphones.