As soon as the Android 12 Beta was released back in May, we started getting reports of foldable Google smartphone references found inside of it. More specifically, the following Pixel phone model number – "Passport (Pixel foldable) – GPQ72".
Does this suggest that Google is on its way to launch a foldable Google Pixel, possibly named Google Pixel Fold or Google Pixel Passport? Very likely. Here's all the intel we currently have on the upcoming Google foldable phone.
Reputable tipster Ross Young has stated that a Pixel Fold will be released in late 2021. Stay tuned, as we'll have more information here as soon as further Pixel Fold leaks or release date information become available.
Google Pixel Fold price
Under $1,999
The upcoming Pixel Fold's biggest competitor – the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 is speculated to release for around $1,799, or the Z Fold 2's original price of $1,999. Based on that, we can expect the Google Pixel Fold to also be anywhere between $1,499 and $1,999.
It's unlikely that Google will be willing to price its first foldable phone higher than the available (and upcoming) Galaxy Z Fold models.
Google Pixel Fold design and display
Different angles of a foldable Google Pixel phone (patent images)
We've been seeing Google patents suggesting the company is looking into making a foldable phone as early as 2019. Back in May of that year, Google filed a folding phone patent, although it was for a clamshell-design phone akin to the Galaxy Z Flip.
More recently, a patent application dated April 2020 showed that Google is also considering a book-like phone design similar to the Z Fold. The patent was particularly focused on the folding phone's hinge, suggesting that Google was already hard at work into refining it.
Based on the Pixel 5 design, we have the following concept renders courtesy of YouTuber Waqar Khan. As cool as they look, note that those likely don't represent the design of the final Pixel Fold. We'll have actual design photos for you here as soon as they become available, so stay tuned!
Google Pixel Fold concept renders
As for the screen, the Google Pixel Fold has been said to feature a flexible 7.6-inch OLED display produced by Samsung. That display will be able to fold in half inwards, similarly to the likes of the Galaxy Z Fold. And just like it, we expect the Google Pixel Fold to have a smaller, secondary outer screen that will be more immediately accessible to the user.
The Pixel Fold is said to feature a 7.6-inch display, just like the Z Fold 2 (shown here)
As the Galaxy Z Fold 2 also has a 7.6-inch folding display, so we can look to it as a Pixel Fold size reference (see image above).
Google Pixel Fold features and software
Multitasking on the Pixel Fold might be similar to the Galaxy Z Fold 2 experience (shown here)
The Google Pixel Fold will be running Android 12. Based on the Android 12 Beta, we expect it to bring features specific to folding phones, likely with a focus on multitasking, so that users can take full advantage of their big displays.
Samsung's Z Fold 2 for example supports up to three apps in split-screen, with even more in windowed mode. We expect similar features from Android 12 for the Pixel Fold.
Android 12 also brings new user customization features, improved performance, privacy, security and more. See our Android 12 preview for more details about Google's latest software.
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