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Google may have inadvertently revealed the existence of a Pixel phone unlike any other

By Anam Hamid

Published: Oct 02, 2023, 4:49 PM

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Google may have inadvertently revealed the existence of a Pixel phone unlike any other

With the Pixel 8 duo on the verge of being announced and early rumors pointing to preparations for the Pixel 8a, it's reasonable to surmise that we know what's in Google's roadmap for the foreseeable future. Google could end up surprising us though by revealing a foldable phone that's not the Pixel Fold 2.

According to a new report from 9to5Google, buried within the code of the latest version of the Pixel Buds app is a mention of an unreleased Pixel device codenamed "Comet". It's clearly not a part of the Pixel 8 family as it isn't named after a dog breed, unlike the Pixel 8 (Shiba), Pixel 8 Pro (Husky), and the rumored Pixel 8a (Akita).

It also doesn't appear to be related to the Pixel 9 family as the 2024 Pixel flagships will apparently use reptile-related codenames, including "Komodo" and "Caiman."

Google seems to be working on another foldable phone, possibly the Pixel Flip

This indicates that Comet is not a part of the typical Pixel release cycle. The code snippets indicate that the Comet belongs in the same category of devices as the Pixel Fold and the app even refers to the device as a "fold."

Since the Pixel Fold is presumably not due for a refresh until May 2024, Comet doesn't seem to be the Pixel Fold 2.

9to5Google believes that it might be a clamshell phone. That's entirely possible as Pixel product manager George Hwang had previously hinted that the company was looking at different types of form factors. It also makes sense as flip phones appear to be more popular than book-style phones.

Even though the Pixel Fold is one of the best foldable phones of 2023, its $1,800 price makes it prohibitively expensive for most people. A flip handset could help Google target more consumers interested in the bendable form factor.

For now, all eyes are on the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro which can't seem to stop leaking and will be announced on October 4.

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Anam Hamid is a computer scientist turned tech journalist who has a keen interest in the tech world, with a particular focus on smartphones and tablets. She has previously written for Android Headlines and has also been a ghostwriter for several tech and car publications. Anam is not a tech hoarder and believes in using her gadgets for as long as possible. She is concerned about smartphone addiction and its impact on future generations, but she also appreciates the convenience that phones have brought into our lives. Anam is excited about technological advancements like folding screens and under-display sensors, and she often wonders about the future of technology. She values the overall experience of a device more than its individual specs and admires companies that deliver durable, high-quality products. In her free time, Anam enjoys reading, scrolling through Reddit and Instagram, and occasionally refreshing her programming skills through tutorials.

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