By Neeraj Kapoor 
New Delhi, August 18: Two of the year’s most anticipated smartphones the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold and the Apple iPhone 17 Pro have now seen their specs and pricing thoroughly leaked, and the internet is buzzing. If the leaks are accurate, these aren’t just marginal upgrades. We’re talking about meaningful leaps in design, display, and raw performance. And for once, both Google and Apple seem to be playing a long game, not just flexing spec sheets but subtly repositioning what a flagship even means in 2025.
Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold Raises the Bar Without Raising the Price
The leaks started trickling in last week, but by today, it’s all out there display sizes, battery stats, even the exact camera lenses. According to PhoneArena and others, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is shaping up to be Google’s most ambitious foldable yet.
Its 8-inch OLED Super Actua Flex inner screen? Bright as the summer sun 3,000 nits peak brightness and 120 Hz refresh to keep things buttery. The cover display isn’t slacking either: 6.4 inches, crisp resolution, and the same refresh rate. It’s the kind of screen you won’t mind squinting at in Delhi heat or Goa sun.
Under the hood, the new Tensor G5 chip promises to be smarter and cooler than its predecessors, with Google’s Titan M2 chip handling security. RAM? A solid 16 GB, paired with storage options that stretch up to 1 TB, all running on UFS 4.0—a first for any Pixel device.
What’s more, this isn’t a fragile experiment anymore. With IP68 water and dust resistance, the Pixel Fold finally feels like it’s meant to live in the real world—not just on tech reviewers’ desks. A foldable phone you can actually trust around your tap or during a downpour? That’s a serious pivot.
Battery-wise, it’s promising. 5,015 mAh, 30 W wired charging, and 15 W Qi2 wireless. The Extreme Power Saving mode reportedly stretches battery life up to 72 hours. Translation: you won’t be frantically hunting for a charger halfway through your day trip.
Cameras? A bit of a Google signature by now. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold offers a 48 MP main, 10.5 MP ultrawide, and 10.8 MP telephoto lens with 5× optical zoom. Two front-facing cameras (both 10 MP) cover both the inside and cover screens. The hardware alone is compelling but with Google’s computational photography stacked on top, expectations are high.
And perhaps most surprisingly, the price may not be climbing. If leaks from Android Central are accurate, the Pixel Fold could launch at the same price or even $200 less than its predecessor. The expected launch is October 9, following an August 20 unveiling. If that price cut holds, Google might just be serious about making this form factor mainstream.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Plays the Luxury Card, But Adds Real Value
Across Cupertino, Apple’s planning its own fireworks. The iPhone 17 Pro isn’t just getting shinier it’s getting leaner, faster, and yes, more expensive. But for once, that price hike might be easier to swallow.
According to leaks cited by MacRumors and IndiaTimes, the base Pro model is expected to start at $1,049 – $50 more than last year but there’s a catch: 256 GB of base storage, up from the usual 128. So it’s less of a cash grab and more of a course correction.
Indian customers, take note: the iPhone 17 Pro may debut at around ₹1,45,990, which, while steep, could still be palatable for the flagship crowd, especially given the hardware bump.
The A19 Pro chip is rumoured to be a beast, paired with 12 GB RAM a number Apple rarely brags about, but one that matters more than ever as apps get heavier and AI gets integrated deeper into the OS. There’s also talk of vapor chamber cooling, something gamers will appreciate, though Apple hasn’t confirmed it yet.
The display is expected to be brighter, more scratch-resistant, and less reflective a nod to Apple users who’ve been squinting through fingerprints and sun glare for years. Both Pro and Pro Max will continue using ProMotion 120 Hz panels, but we might see slight size increases this time.
Cameras, of course, are getting a polish too. We’re looking at a triple 48 MP setup with potentially 8× optical zoom on the telephoto, and a 24 MP front camera that might finally justify all those FaceTime filters. Rumour has it the Pro Max could even include a dedicated zoom sensor, but that’s still speculative.
And let’s not forget the redesign: muted aluminium edges, textured glass backs, and a new camera bump layout. Colors are expected to include Black, White, Deep Blue, Orange, and Graphite Grey a palette that leans more premium than playful.
Launch day? All signs point to September 9 or 10, with the usual pre-order scramble to follow. Apple is clearly betting on customers trading in old models for longer-term value, especially now that 256 GB is the starting point.
The Real Flagship Battle: Fold vs Familiar
What’s interesting this time around isn’t just who has the flashiest camera or the fastest chip. It’s about vision. Google’s doubling down on foldables but taking away the anxiety making it durable, practical, even affordable (relatively). Apple, meanwhile, is polishing the slab phone to perfection, proving you don’t need a hinge to be cutting-edge.
In terms of raw specs, the Pixel Fold has more RAM, more screen, and a foldable wow factor. But the iPhone 17 Pro’s ecosystem advantage, camera polish, and thermal upgrades shouldn’t be underestimated. Especially in India, where brand loyalty still drives major buying decisions.
Then there’s the pricing psychology. Google flirting with a price cut? That’s a curveball. Apple charging more but giving you twice the base storage? Strategic. It’s no longer just about specs it’s about how each brand is choosing to grow up.
We’ll know more in just a few weeks. Until then, it’s safe to say both devices are doing more than just keeping up they’re trying to leap ahead, each in their own distinct way.
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- Neeraj Kapoorhttps://hindustanherald.in/authors/neeraj/
- Neeraj Kapoorhttps://hindustanherald.in/authors/neeraj/
