After years of rumors and leaks, it actually does seem like Google is getting ready to launch its first foldable smartphone. That device is most often mentioned under the ‘Pixel Fold’ name, but we’re still not sure that will be its final name. In any case, we do have enough info at this point to round things up, and see what to expect when it comes to this device. So, if you’re wondering about the Google Pixel Fold, this preview will interest you.
Before we get down to it, though, do note that the Pixel Notepad name was also mentioned. Those are the only two names that were highlighted thus far, so… chances are one of them will be used. Based on the latest info, however, the ‘Pixel Fold’ will probably be final. That’s what the phone is being called, internally. Having said that, let’s see what’s expected out of Google’s very first foldable smartphone.
This article will be regularly updated with new information on the Google Pixel Fold (this is a preview article) — both official teasers and credible leaks, rumors, and insider claims — as it becomes available in the run-up to the release of the upcoming Android smartphone. The last update was made on March 27, 2023.
Google Pixel Fold preview: Design
Various different Pixel Fold designs surfaced throughout the years, but the final one may have dropped in December 2022, thanks to CAD-based renders. Prior to that, a bunch of renders got shared, renders that were made based on the design of the actual product, allegedly. These images do come from a reliable source, who says he’s “very, very confident” this is real, so it’s easily possible they’re accurate. The CAD-based renders are somewhat similar to these images, but they’re showing a device with wider displays, more similar to the OPPO Find N and N2. Both sets of images are included in the galleries below.
CAD-based renders & video:
Renders based on the phone prototype:
As you can see, the phone seems to be made out of metal and glass, and it has rather interesting bezels. The top and bottom bezels on the main camera are noticeably thicker than the side bezels. A display camera hole is centered on the cover display, while there is no camera hole on the internal display. It seemingly won’t have an under-display camera either, but it will include a camera. It will be placed in the bezel itself, in the top-right corner.
At least two colors will be available
The phone will be made out of metal and glass, it’s said, and it will arrive in a couple of color options. Based on the info that surfaced at the time of these images, ‘Chalk’ and ‘Obsidian’ models are coming. The phone is said to be quite large overall, there’s a reason it’s codenamed ‘Passport”. There were allegedly two prototypes, one with the camera on the inside, and one without. Google seemingly decided to go with the one with the camera. You will also notice that its physical keys are placed on the right side, and yes, the power/lock button doubles as a fingerprint scanner.
On the back, there are three cameras. The camera layout looks very similar to the one on the Pixel 7 Pro, from a design standpoint. The camera island does protrude on the back quite a bit, which is easily noticeable here.
Even a video showing off a mockup of the device popped up, while we’re waiting for more concrete info. You can check out that video below.
Spotted in public?
The phone also appeared in public, allegedly. It was allegedly spotted on a train, in the hands of a Google employee. The image is really not the best, though, and it could be some other phone, truth be said. So, you can see for yourself below.
Google Pixel Fold preview: Specifications
What about its specs? Well, the Pixel Fold will almost certainly be fueled by the Google Tensor G2 SoC. A Geekbench listing basically confirmed it. The same processor that fuels the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro handsets. That is Google’s second-gen SoC. The phone is said to utilize Samsung-made displays, both of them. The main display is said to utilize a resolution of 2208 x 1840, but we still don’t know its size. That will be a 120Hz AMOLED panel, by the way, and its brightness will go up to 1,200 nits, max. The cover display is still a mystery. Both of those displays will be quite large, though.
The RAM and storage information didn’t really surface just yet. If we had to guess, though, we’d say that the device will have at least 8GB of RAM, but 12GB is more likely. We’re probably looking at LPDDR5 RAM and UFS 3.1 flash storage here. Android 13 will come pre-installed on the device, mainly due to its release timeframe, more on that later. We’re not sure if it will offer any sort of water and dust resistance, but that’s not as likely. Stereo speakers will be included, as will a mmWave antenna for 5G.
Now, its battery will allegedly be larger than the one in the Galaxy Z Fold 4. Samsung’s current-gen book-style foldable features a 4,400mAh battery. The Pixel Fold’s will be larger than that, but still well below the 5,000mAh mark.
It may utilize the Pixel 7 Pro’s rear camera setup
What about the cameras? Well, a 9.5-megapixel camera will be used on the front. That goes for both the main display, and the cover display. A tipster did share some camera info not long ago. It seems like that information is a bit off, though, so we won’t get into it. We will try to guess the phone’s rear cameras, though. Based on the renders that appeared, there are three cameras on the back. The camera modules have a similar placement to the ones on the Pixel 7 Pro.
It is quite possible Google will simply use the Pixel 7 Pro’s camera setup on this device. We’re quite confident that the ISOCELL GN1 camera sensor will be in use, the same 50-megapixel camera used in the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro. The other two cameras may be different, but they’ll most likely be either very similar or identical to the ones in the Pixel 7 Pro. So, we’re most probably looking at a 48-megapixel telephoto camera (5x optical zoom), and a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera.
Google Pixel Fold preview: Pricing & Availability
So, when will it launch? Various different launch timeframes were mentioned over time. Most of them said that the Pixel Fold will become official in May 2023. The Pixel Fold is actually expected to launch alongside another Google product, the Pixel Tablet. The Pixel Tablet was both confirmed and partially shown off by Google, unlike the Pixel Fold. Both devices are tipped to arrive in May, possibly during Google I/O. The latest rumor, however, suggested that the Pixel Fold won’t be ready for that launch window. It suggested Q3 or Q4 launch, so it may arrive alongside the Pixel 8 series instead, nothing is set in stone. Do note that the Pixel Fold was also mentioned in a recently-leaked Google roadmap. The May launch is more likely, however, as another rumor suggested that the phone will launch in June, so… it fits.
Many of you are probably wondering about the price as well. A leak that surfaced in early 2022 suggested that the device will cost $1,399. Based on the most prominent leak thus far, the Pixel Fold will cost $1,799. That is basically the same launch price as the Galaxy Z Fold 4. Following that info, another tipster suggested that the device will cost between $1,300 and $1,500. In other words, the pricing info is all over the place. We’ll have to wait a bit longer to be sure.
2023-03-27 15:09:20