After launching its trio of Pixel 10 smartphones earlier this summer, Google is back with the rest of its 2025 Pixel lineup — and this time, it’s not really about the hardware.
The company just unveiled the Pixel 10 Pro Fold ($1,799), the Pixel Watch 4 ($350), and the Pixel Buds 2a ($129). All three officially go on sale this Wednesday, just in time for the holiday shopping rush. And while the designs are familiar, Google’s message is clear: this year’s focus is AI, not aesthetics.
Pixel 10 Pro Fold: A Familiar Design With Smarter Moves
This is Google’s third foldable, and it still follows the same book-style layout. Compared to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7, it’s chunkier and less flashy — but also a bit more practical.
The rounded corners make it comfortable to hold, and the slimmer bezels give the outer display a small size bump to 6.4 inches. New colour options — a soft bluish-grey and a striking green-and-gold combo — add some personality.
The phone now supports Qi2 magnetic wireless charging, making it easier to snap onto a stand or charger. It’s also the first U.S.-made foldable rated IP68, offering full dust and water resistance.
Inside, the 5,015 mAh battery gives it more breathing room than Samsung’s 4,400 mAh unit. The gearless hinge feels sturdy, and the added thickness actually makes it easier to unfold.
Performance still trails Samsung’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chip — Google’s own Tensor G5 isn’t a speed demon — but it’s built for something else: AI.
Gemini runs quietly in the background, scanning screens, scheduling meetings, or summarising emails without needing a prompt. The Ask Photos feature remains the standout, letting you re-edit pictures with a simple text or voice command.
Camera quality is solid, though not spectacular; low-light shots lose a bit of detail compared to the standard Pixel 10 Pro. Still, fun touches like Made You Look — which shows animations to grab kids’ attention — make it enjoyable to use.
Visually, Google’s Material 3 Expressive redesign ties it all together. The interface feels bold, modern, and cohesive — a subtle but important difference from Samsung’s busier approach.
Pixel Watch 4: Subtle Upgrades, Deeper Intelligence
At first glance, the Pixel Watch 4 looks familiar — same minimalist round design, available in 41 mm and 45 mm sizes — but under the surface, it’s a different story.
The new Actua 360 Display is brighter (up to 3,000 nits) and topped with domed glass that slightly expands the viewing area. Battery life now stretches to 40 hours on the larger model and 30 hours on the smaller one.
Charging is faster, too. The new side-mounted dock doubles as a mini nightstand display, and a quick 15-minute charge restores about half the battery.
Powered by a Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 chip and a Cortex-M55 coprocessor, the watch feels smoother, while haptics are more refined. Google also made both the display and battery replaceable, a rare move in smartwatches.
Once again, Gemini AI takes centre stage. Just raise your wrist and speak naturally — no “Hey Google” required. When it works, it feels seamless; when it doesn’t, it’s a reminder that we’re still early in this era of AI-driven wearables.
Gemini handles complex requests across Gmail, Calendar, and Maps, and even suggests smart replies with different tones. Later this month, Google will introduce an AI-powered health coach for Fitbit Premium users, designed to analyse recovery, training load, and overall readiness.
The Pixel Watch 4 isn’t revolutionary, but it shows Google inching toward a future where AI quietly assists rather than interrupts.
Pixel Buds 2a: Smarter Sound on a Budget
At $129, the Pixel Buds 2a are Google’s most affordable entry into its audio lineup — and the first budget pair to feature active noise cancellation (ANC).
They borrow the fixed-fin design from the Buds Pro 2 for a snug fit. The sound profile is balanced and customizable, and while they skip premium extras like adaptive audio, they still deliver a clean, pleasant listening experience.
Battery life clocks in at seven hours with ANC on and up to 20 hours with the charging case. You can also launch Gemini Live for hands-free AI conversations.
They don’t outperform midrange earbuds from Samsung or Apple, but for users already within the Pixel ecosystem, they offer solid value and seamless integration.
The Big Picture
Taken together, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, Pixel Watch 4, and Pixel Buds 2a tell a consistent story: Google isn’t chasing specs this year — it’s chasing synergy.
Every product leans into Gemini, weaving AI deeper into the daily experience. The hardware feels familiar because it’s no longer the main event — the experience is.
Samsung may still lead in polish, and Apple remains the ecosystem king, but Google is making a compelling case that the future of Pixel isn’t about more pixels — it’s about intelligence.
Also read: After iPhone Air, Apple Is Planning a Step Forward: The Apple Foldable Phone
