Pixel 10 Pro Fold Sets New Standard with First IP68 Rating on a Foldable
For years foldables looked like fascinating prototypes with compromises baked in, but a dust-tight seal and real-world durability could finally change the story.
For years, foldable phones have carried an unspoken caveat. They promised futuristic screens and flexible hinges, but always with the same warning: be careful with dust, avoid water, don’t push the limits.
Google’s Pixel 10 Pro Fold is the first to challenge that narrative outright, debuting with a full IP68 rating — the same durability standard that has long been the baseline for premium slab phones like the Galaxy S25 Ultra and iPhone 16 Pro series.
Pixel 10 Pro Fold vs Galaxy Z Fold 7 vs OPPO Find N5: The Durability Divide
When it comes to foldables, durability has always been the sticking point. Specs and software grab attention, but the real question in buyers’ minds is simpler: will a phone that bends in half actually survive the real world — dust, rain, pockets full of lint?
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold is the first to answer “yes” with an IP68 badge, raising the bar for the entire category.
What IP68 Actually Means
The “6” in IP68 indicates a dust-tight seal. Achieving that rating is brutal. Devices are placed in a sealed chamber, the air is pumped out, and fine talcum powder is blasted in for eight hours straight. If no particles make it inside, the device earns the certification.
The “8” refers to water resistance. It means the phone can survive continuous submersion in fresh water (commonly 1.5 meters for up to 30 minutes, though manufacturers can define their own exact thresholds).
Slab phones like the iPhone and Galaxy S series have long met these standards. But foldables, with their hinges and flexible displays, have never managed both dust and water protection — until now.
Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold
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Rating: IP68
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What it means: Fully dust-tight and water-resistant.
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Why it matters: The first foldable to eliminate the dust concern that has shadowed the category from day one. This makes it the first foldable that can, in theory, claim the same resilience as a traditional flagship.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7
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Rating: IPX8
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What it means: Protected against water immersion, but no certified dust protection. The “X” signals Samsung didn’t submit it for dust testing.
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Implication: Hinges are sturdier than in early models, but fine particles like sand or lint remain a weak point.
OPPO Find N5
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Rating: IPX4
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What it means: Resistant to splashes and rain, but not certified against dust or immersion.
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Implication: A design-first device that trades ruggedness for ergonomics, leaving it the most fragile of the foldable trio.
Side-by-Side Durability Comparison
| Device | IP Rating | Dust Protection | Water Protection | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pixel 10 Pro Fold | IP68 | Dust-tight (8 hr talc test, no ingress) | Full immersion (manufacturer conditions) | First foldable to match slab durability |
| Galaxy Z Fold 7 | IPX8 | None certified | Full immersion | Still vulnerable to dust, hinge improved but unsealed |
| OPPO Find N5 | IPX4 | None certified | Splash resistant | Light protection only, least rugged |
| Traditional Flagships (Pixel 10 / Galaxy S25 Ultra / iPhone 16 Pro) | IP68 | Dust-tight | Full immersion | Longtime standard for top-tier phones |
Why Pixel’s IP68 Matters for Foldables
This leap is bigger than it looks on paper. A dust-tight seal means Google has solved the hinge problem in a way no rival has, effectively closing the durability gap that kept foldables from mainstream adoption.
In practice, that means fewer worries about everyday hazards — grains of sand at the beach, pocket lint grinding into the hinge, construction dust. For many hesitant buyers, dust has been the biggest psychological barrier. Google’s IP68 solution removes it.
And in doing so, it pressures competitors. If Google can deliver a foldable that’s as dust- and water-tight as an iPhone, Samsung and OPPO can no longer afford to lag behind.
The Bottom Line
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold’s IP68 rating doesn’t just raise the bar — it resets expectations. Where Samsung and OPPO still hedge on dust resistance, Google now offers a foldable that matches the durability of the Pixel 10 series, Galaxy S25 Ultra, and iPhone 16 Pro.
Foldables no longer need an asterisk next to their durability claims. And for buyers on the fence, this might be the reassurance that finally tips them over.
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