Google’s New Foldable, Smartwatch Emphasize AI Rather Than Hardware Changes

Google Expands 2025 Pixel Lineup with Foldable, Smarter Watch, and Affordable Earbuds

After launching a trio of Pixel 10 smartphones this summer, Alphabet’s Google is back to complete its 2025 hardware roster — just in time for the holiday shopping season.

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold ($1,799), Pixel Watch 4 ($350), and Pixel Buds 2a ($129) hit stores Wednesday, signaling Google’s renewed push in foldables, wearables, and audio. For the foldable, the challenge is clear: reclaim momentum from Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7, the benchmark in the category. The watch and earbuds showcase Google’s Gemini AI across multiple devices — with results that range from impressive to inconsistent.

Pixel 10 Pro Fold

Google’s third-generation foldable sticks to a familiar formula. Compared with Samsung, which has released more than a dozen folding phones, Google’s iteration still feels behind in hardware sophistication. Samsung’s astonishingly thin Fold 7 impresses instantly, while the Pixel 10 Pro Fold carries over the bulk of last year’s 9 Pro Fold — though rounded corners make it more comfortable in hand. This year’s colors — a blueish gray and a bold green-and-gold two-tone — are distinctive.

Refinements include slimmer bezels on the outer display, bumping it to 6.4 inches, and the debut of magnetic wireless charging via the Qi2 standard, allowing easy desk viewing while charging. It’s also the first US foldable with an IP68 dust and water resistance rating, addressing a major durability gap.

The thicker frame brings pluses: easier unfolding, a gearless hinge that holds steady at various angles, fuller sound from stereo speakers, and stronger haptics. The larger 5,015 mAh battery offers marginally better endurance than the Fold 7’s, though heavy gaming or 4K recording drains both quickly.

Performance is where Samsung’s Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy edges out Google’s Tensor G5, especially for gaming and video editing. Camera quality is solid but limited in low light — a persistent US foldable compromise. Still, Pixel-specific tricks shine, like outer-screen photo previews and the charming Made You Look feature to capture kids’ attention.

Gemini AI integration feels cohesive, thanks to Material 3 Expressive UI. From on-screen contextual actions to Ask Photos’ powerful image edits, Google’s AI tools are polished, though Magic Cue’s auto-reply suggestions remain hit-or-miss. In the foldable race, Samsung’s Fold 7 retains the lead, but Google’s improved durability and smarter software make the 10 Pro Fold a capable alternative.

Pixel Watch 4

The Pixel Watch 4 refines rather than reinvents. Available in 41 mm and 45 mm sizes, the round display fits comfortably — especially on smaller wrists — but strap swapping is still fiddly compared to Apple and Samsung’s mechanisms.

Key upgrades include a new side-mounted charging dock that doubles as a stand, extending battery life to 40 hours (45 mm) or 30 hours (41 mm). A fast-charging boost delivers 50% in just 15 minutes. The Actua 360 Display’s domed glass offers thinner bezels and 50% more brightness, peaking at 3,000 nits for easy outdoor viewing.

Functionality improves with satellite-based emergency calling and dual-frequency GPS, plus a Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 chip paired with a Cortex-M55 coprocessor for snappy AI handling. Repairability sees a breakthrough: the battery and display are now replaceable.

Gemini AI is central. Raise to Talk eliminates the “Hey Google” trigger, and when it works, feels natural — though reliability needs work. AI features like detailed Gmail replies and calendar integration stand out, while fitness-related tools, including an AI health coach and Cardio Load tracking, roll out later this month via Fitbit Premium. On paper, Pixel Watch 4 delivers a well-rounded Android smartwatch experience; real-world performance will determine its staying power.

Pixel Buds 2a

The Pixel Buds 2a bring active noise cancellation to Google’s budget earbud tier for the first time, undercutting the $229 Pixel Buds Pro 2. They share the Pro’s permanent fins for secure fit but omit adaptive audio and loud noise protection, sacrificing some premium polish.

Sound quality and ANC trail the Pros yet remain pleasing, with customizable audio profiles and stable connectivity. Battery life reaches seven hours with ANC on, or 20 with the charging case.

While they won’t sway users from Samsung’s midrange earbuds, the Buds 2a integrate cleanly into Google’s ecosystem, offering Gemini Live voice sessions and dependable everyday performance at a competitive price.