Pixel 10 Pro Fold’s Gearless Hinge: Why It Matters
▼ Summary
– The Pixel 10 Pro Fold introduces a gearless hinge system designed to maintain performance over time and withstand drop tests.
– This hinge uses CAM components to convert rotational motion to linear motion, enabling symmetrical folding and saving internal space.
– The saved space allowed for a larger battery providing over 30 hours of battery life and an 8-inch internal display, the largest in foldables.
– It includes magnetic features on the back for Pixelsnap support and wireless charging, plus an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.
– The device is now available for purchase on the Google Store and through various retailers and carriers.
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold introduces a groundbreaking gearless hinge, a major engineering leap that promises lasting durability and smooth operation. Unlike traditional folding mechanisms, this innovative design eliminates gears entirely, addressing common issues like mechanical wear and debris accumulation. Google has rigorously tested the hinge to ensure it opens and closes as flawlessly years from now as it does straight out of the box, with extensive drop tests confirming its resilience.
Behind this advancement lies a collaboration between Google’s industrial design, advanced architecture, and product design teams. Standard hinges typically rely on four interlocking gears to create symmetrical movement when the device folds and unfolds. The gearless system replaces these with specialized mechanical components known as CAMs. These CAMs ingeniously transform rotational motion into linear motion, preserving the symmetrical action while freeing up internal space.
That reclaimed space has been put to excellent use. Google equipped the Pixel 10 Pro Fold with a significantly larger battery, now capable of delivering more than 30 hours of use on a single charge. The internal screen has also grown, now stretching to a full 8 inches, making it the largest display currently available in the foldable phone category. Even the cover display benefits from the redesign, with slimmer bezels allowing it to expand to 6.4 inches.
In line with the rest of the Pixel 10 series, strong magnets are integrated into the back of the device. This enables full compatibility with the Pixelsnap ecosystem and supports magnetic wireless charging, which not only boosts charging efficiency but also unlocks a wide array of creative magnetic accessories. Additionally, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold boasts an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, a feature seldom found in foldable smartphones and providing extra peace of mind for daily use.
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold is available for purchase directly from the Google Store and is also expected to be stocked at major retail and carrier locations.
(Source: Droid Life)
