Google’s next phone could fold
For years, rumors about a Google Pixel Fold have been circulating. It finally appears that the phone will be arriving soon.
There are very few manufacturers of foldable phones at the moment. Samsung, however, is the dominant player in the market with its Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 handsets. It could soon be challenged.
Leaks suggest that this could be called either the Pixel Fold, or the Pixel Notepad. However, the name is still a possibility so we will refer to it as the Google Pixel Fold for the time being.
We’ve heard some details about the design, screen, camera, and other specifications. You can find them all below. Information about a possible release date has been included, which many rumors suggest could take place in the early to mid-2023. We also have information about leaks regarding the price.
We’ve heard some details about the design, screen, camera, and other specifications. You can find them all below. Information about a possible release date has been included, which many rumors suggest could take place in the early to mid-2023. We also have information about leaks regarding the price.
Let’s get to the point
It is what? Google’s first foldable phone
When will it be available? It could be May 2023
What is the estimated cost of this project? Possibly $1799 (approximately PS1,520 / AU$2,660).
Google Pixel Fold price and release date
Early leaks indicated that the Pixel Fold would arrive in late 2022. This is something we have heard many times. However, there has been no evidence of the Pixel 7’s unveiling.
A recent leak from a different source suggests that the Pixel Fold will not be launched before 2023, even though a launch in late 2022 was planned. Another rumor suggests that the Pixel Fold could be released in Q1 (2023, meaning between January and March).
However, the latest release date rumor is May 2023 so we may still be waiting.
Also, we’ve heard previously that the Pixel Fold was canceled. It’s possible it won’t even arrive. Ross Young claims that the Pixel Fold has been canceled. He has since re-leaked one of the leaks, claiming that the release is now for Q1 2023. This means that either he was wrong or Google has rescheduled it.
Indeed, the term “isPixel2022Foldable” has been spotted in Google code, suggesting that the phone is landing soon.
We would also recommend taking these leaks with a grain of salt, especially since some of the previous release dates have been incorrect. One report stated that Google, among other companies, had bought foldable phone screens from Samsung Display. It then claimed that smartphones with these screens would be launched in 2021.
Another leak about phones with Samsung Display screens revealed that the Pixel Fold would be launching in Q4 2021.
This didn’t happen. However, it is possible that the Pixel Fold has moved all the way up to 2023.
One leak suggests that it could cost around $1,400, which is roughly PS1,040 / AU$1,960. This would be a lot less expensive than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 but still very costly.
It might actually be the same price as the Galaxy Z Fold 4. A recent leak puts it at $1799 (around PS1,520 / AU$2,660).
Design and display
Google Pixel Fold information is mainly based on a leak that included unofficial renders. Some of these can be seen below. These renders, while not official, are based on images and information from a trusted source.
The design is very similar to the Pixel 7 line, when folded closed, but has a form factor that is similar to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold line.
The Pixel Fold appears to be made of metal and glass and will only come in white or black. You can also see the large bezels that are above and below it.
A report claims that Google ordered OLED panels measuring around 7.6 inches from Samsung Display. This claim has been repeated multiple times.
It’s approximately the same size as Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4’s main screen, and large enough to suggest that the Pixel foldable could be the same form factor as Galaxy one. This is a phone-sized screen that opens like a book, opening up to reveal a larger tablet-sized screen. We can’t rule it out having a clamshell design similar to the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip.
Another leak indicates that the display will be 2208×1840 pixels in resolution and will also offer up to 1,200 nits brightness and a refresh rate of up to 120Hz. According to the same source, the overall dimensions are 123x148mm.
An animation from Android 12L Beta 2 shows an animated foldable phone that looks more like the Oppo Find N. It is shorter and wider than the Z Fold 4.
This animation can be seen above. While it is possible that it is a generic animation it could also show the Pixel Fold.
We have heard elsewhere that the Pixel Fold’s outer, non-foldable cover screen might be 5.8 inches.
We’ve seen leaked patents from Google that show a screen that can be extended to tablet size and then can be stretched out like rollable phones. We are not sure if this will be the first foldable phone from Google. However, it looks very ambitious.
Patently Mobile (opens in new tab), has also found two additional patents for the Google Pixel foldable phone. One shows a more traditional clamshell design while the other features two hinges that allow it to form a Z shape as it unfolds and transform from a smartphone to a full-sized tablet.
Google appears to be trying out many different foldable designs. However, it is likely that they have settled on a Galaxy Z Fold-like design.
Specifications and features
An Android 12 beta code reveals that the Google Pixel Fold will use the same modem technology as the Pixel 6 range. This suggests, but does not guarantee, that the Google Pixel Fold will have the same chipset as the Pixel 6 range.
The benchmark for the Pixel Fold also mentions this chipset, as well as Android 12GB RAM and Android 12. We’ve heard rumors of the Tensor chipset.
This chipset appears to be designed to make use of the Pixel 6 range’s new cameras. However, we are not certain if the same cameras will also be used. It could have a dual-lens, triple-lens, or ultra-wide setup with telephoto (4x optical zoom), snappers.
Another leak suggests that different snappers are involved. The Pixel 5’s 12.2MP main camera is paired with the Pixel 6’s 12MP ultra-wide and two 8MP selfie cameras (one per screen). This is something that we have heard several times.
One source claims that we are looking at a 64MP+12.2MP+10MP back camera. This means that not all rumors and leaks about the Google Pixel Fold’s camera at the back are correct. The selfie cameras are both reportedly 9.5MP while the leaked renders (above), show a triple lens rear camera.
A Google patent has also suggested that the phone could have under-display camera. However, the images that have been leaked don’t support this possibility.
We don’t have any information about the specifications of the Google Pixel foldable smartphone, but we can speculate. It will likely run Android 12, but it will run the most recent Android version at the time of launch.
It will likely have decent cameras but less lenses than other phones, if it follows the standard Pixel range. The company’s foldable phone will also support 5G, as we expect.
A small modification to the Google Camera software indicates that a Pixel Fold is in the works, and that Google is working on its own software.
