Unboxing Google’s New Pixel 10 Pro Fold, Pixel Watch 4 and Pixel Buds 2a

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Back in August, Google held its Made by Google Pixel 10 keynote. The company unveiled its Pixel 10 series of devices including the Pixel 10 Pro, the Pixel 10 Pro XL, and the foldable Pixel 10 Pro Fold. Also announced in the summer was the Pixel Watch 4 and Pixel Buds 2a, joining the Pixel Buds Pro 2.

Starting tomorrow, October 9, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, Pixel Watch 4 and Pixel Buds 2a will hit store shelves. Google sent us their latest devices to go hands-on and try out. Here’s our brief overview of the new Pixel family that was first unveiled in late August (which feels so long ago).

First Impressions & Unboxing: Pixel 10 Pro Fold

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Inside the box, you’ll find the Pixel 10 Pro Fold itself, a USB-C charging cable, and the usual documentation — but no power adapter. Out of the box, the phone feels surprisingly thin and refined, especially in the Jade finish. The matte glass back paired with a polished, gearless hinge gives it a premium feel. It opens with a little resistance and closes with a satisfying snap. There’s some good weight to the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, which is smaller than an iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Design & Display

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When folded, the outer 6.4-inch Actua display feels like a typical phone—smooth, bright, and easy to handle. Unfold it, and you’re greeted with a massive 8-inch Super Actua Flex Display that’s brighter and more durable than before. It’s fantastic for watching videos or multitasking, and the foldable screen makes tabletop viewing effortless. There’s still a slight crease down the middle, but it’s less noticeable than on older Folds, says Google.

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Both screens support adaptive refresh rates (up to 120Hz), and brightness (up to 3,000 nits) remains strong even under harsh lighting. Reflections are still present on the inner screen (especially if it’s sunny), but overall clarity is impressive.

Here you can see the screen crease, which trips out your brain at first. The display and build quality of the Pixel 10 Pro Fold really impressed everyone in our household. Using Gmail you can resize it into two columns and blast through your unread emails in a breeze.

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Here’s another look at the Pixel 10 Pro Fold from the back:

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Camera Upgrades

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The Pixel 10 Pro Fold features a triple rear camera system with a 48MP wide lens, a 10.5MP ultrawide lens with Macro Focus, and a 10.8MP telephoto lens offering 5x optical zoom.

It also brings smart new AI-powered camera features like “Made You Look,” which plays animations to get kids’ attention during photos (game-changer, parents!), and “Instant View,” letting you see recent shots beside the viewfinder for quick checks.

All the expected Gemini AI photo tools are here too — including Best Take, Help Me Edit, and Low Light Boost on Instagram, for example. The AI-powered Camera Coach is again pretty fun to try out.

Performance & Battery

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Powered by the new Tensor G5 chip and 16GB of RAM, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold feels snappy and efficient. Google promises up to 30+ hours of battery life from its 5015mAh cell, plus support for 15W Qi2 magnetic wireless charging—a first for a Pixel Fold. Connectivity includes Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 (upgraded), and 5G. No issues with battery life as this thing lasted a full day with lots to spare, with light usage.

Durability & Sustainability

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The device now has an IP68 water and dust resistance rating, making it the first foldable phone with that level of protection, according to Google. The hinge can withstand over 10 years of folding, and the body uses 28% recycled materials by weight, says the company. I don’t know who will actually put a decade of folding to the test, but mark your calendars, folks.

Everyday Use

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The foldable form factor makes it great for split-screen multitasking, browsing, or streaming without a kickstand. The fingerprint sensor built into the power button works quickly (it’s a bit finicky to set up), and there’s also face unlock. It’s still surprising Apple hasn’t brought Touch ID back this way.

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Despite its size, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is comfortable to hold, slim even when closed, and feels like a single device in your pocket. It’s so much fun watching videos in tabletop mode as you don’t need a kickstand anymore, while seeing everything on a larger display is very enjoyable on the bright screen.

Final Thoughts

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The Pixel 10 Pro Fold delivers the best of Google’s hardware—sleek design, smarter AI tools, and a more refined foldable experience. It’s still pricey, but it undercuts Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold7 ($2,499 CAD for 256GB) and feels more polished overall. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold starts at $2,399 for 256GB, and goes up to $2,569 for 512GB and $2,869 for 1TB of storage.

If you’re tempted, Google is offering $475 in Google Store credit with purchase until October 12, and other Pixel 10 models are currently $100–$150 off.

In a nutshell, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold proves Google’s foldable lineup is growing up—and for early adopters, it’s the most complete Pixel yet, if you can afford it.

Pixel Buds 2a Hands-On

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Google’s new Pixel Buds 2a bring premium features to a lower price point, available in Hazel and Iris for $179 CAD, which feels on the pricier side for entry earbuds. They’re smaller, lighter, and more comfortable than the originals, with a secure twist-to-fit design and IP54 sweat and water resistance.

Inside the box you get the Pixel Buds 2a and extra ear tips in XS, S and L sizes, joining medium that’s already on the earbuds. Pairing these to your Pixel 10 Pro Fold, for example, are incredibly easy thanks to Fast Pair. You can also switch to other Google devices easily thanks to Multipoint Audio Switch.

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Sound quality is solid and balanced with redesigned 11mm drivers and a customizable EQ. Active Noise Cancellation (Google’s Silent Seal 1.5) and Transparency mode are finally here for the A-Series, offering much better isolation than before—though not quite at the levels of the Pixel Buds Pro 2 (Silent Seal 2.0). As for build quality it’s basically all plastic:

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Powered by the new Tensor A1 chip, the Buds 2a support Gemini voice access (which is way better than Apple’s Siri), letting you talk hands-free for directions or messages. Battery life hits 7 hours with ANC on and up to 20 hours with the case, and Find Hub helps track them if you’ve misplaced them. Battery status is easily available from your Pixel phone’s home screen widget.

If you’re already in the Pixel ecosystem, these are an easy pick — though with the Pixel Buds Pro 2 currently on sale for the same price at $179 right, you may want to get the latter for more features and battery life. Also expect the Pixel Buds 2a to go on sale during Black Friday or Boxing Day, as that’s when Google typically will drop prices.

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With good comfort, clear sound, and finally ANC, the Pixel Buds 2a are a step forward for Google’s affordable earbuds. They are pretty tiny and slippery to hold, so if you have big fat fingers, be careful when you’re standing above sewer grates or cliffside at the Grand Canyon. You can check them out now at the Google Store for $179, though at that price, you might want to upgrade to the Pixel Buds Pro 2, which are currently available for the same price.

Hands-On: Google Pixel Watch 4 — Brighter, Smarter, and Powered by Gemini

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The Pixel Watch 4 brings further refinements and improvements to its smartwatch, with changes in the design, display, and intelligence. Out of the box, the unboxing experience of the 45mm we received from Google in the Moonstone colour way feels premium. The bands attach easily, though if it’s your first time, you’ll want to follow the included instructions for a smooth setup as you need to press the band against the button, then slide to the right.

Design and Display

Right away, the Actua 360 domed display stands out — it’s brighter, larger, and more vibrant than before, hitting 3,000 nits with 16% smaller bezels. The display curves seamlessly into the body, and the build quality feels really nice, made from polished metal and Gorilla Glass for durability. The watch feels light and comfortable on the wrist, with a band that’s soft and secure, ideal for all-day wear. It’s just really comfortable on the wrist.

It’s available in two sizes — 41mm and 45mm — with colours like Obsidian, Porcelain, Moonstone, and Lemongrass. Google even made it easier to replace parts like the display or battery if needed.

Performance and Gemini Integration

Under the hood, the Pixel Watch 4 gets a boost with a new Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 processor and Cortex-M55 co-processor for better performance and efficiency. It’s 25% faster than before and lasts longer too—up to 40 hours on a charge, or even 72 hours in Battery Saver mode. And yes, it charges fast: 0–50% in about 15 minutes. I had no issues with battery life and it’s impressive how well the battery saver feature works compared to an Apple Watch Series 10, for example. The charger will also let you know if you’ve placed the watch down improperly.

But the biggest new feature is Gemini on your wrist. You can now raise your arm and start talking to Gemini instantly for directions, reminders, or quick answers — no phone needed. The improved speaker and haptics make responses crisp and easy to hear, even outdoors. Having Gemini accessible right on your wrist is amazing as you can actually get accurate answers and it can understand what you’re saying (unlike Apple’s Siri).

Health and Fitness

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The Pixel Watch 4 continues to build on Fitbit’s strengths, now with more accurate heart rate and sleep tracking, powered by AI models that deliver up to 18% better accuracy, according to Google. It automatically detects activities like running, cycling, or swimming and provides detailed recaps afterward. The upgraded dual-frequency GPS gives more precise route tracking, and the new real-time exercise streaming feature lets you view live stats from your phone.

You still get all the wellness staples—stress detection, ECG, body response tracking, and advanced sleep insights—now presented in a cleaner Material 3 interface that’s more glanceable and animated.

Everyday Use

From notifications to quick replies, everything feels faster and more responsive. The Material 3 design makes menus fluid and easy to read, and the custom haptic engine adds a subtle, premium feel to every tap. Google Wallet, Maps, and Home all work great, and the UWB-powered Watch Unlock lets you unlock your Pixel phone with just a tap.

The Pixel Watch 4 LTE works in Canada on Bell, Telus, Rogers, Virgin, and SaskTel.

Final Thoughts

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I’m still testing and trying out the features on the Pixel Watch 4. There’s just so many features to test out, and I’m excited to try the workouts with Fitbit. The display is super nice and bright (max 3,000 nits versus 2,000 on Apple Watch Series 10/11), the band is comfortable, and Gemini integration is excellent.

For Pixel users, this is the perfect companion device. It’s available now starting at $479 CAD (41mm) and $529 CAD (45mm), depending on the model and finish. An Apple Watch Series 11 starts at $549 for the 42mm, so Google’s entry pricing undercuts Apple.

The Pixel Watch 4 looks and feels high-end and with Gemini, it’s powerful to have on your wrist for everyday work and health.

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