The story so far on Google’s foldable.
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(Pocket-lint) – There continues to be discussions about the possibility of a folding Pixel from Google. With folding phones seen as the next big thing, it’s no surprise that brands are interested in where the technology can take us, with a race to crack this (currently) novel section of the market. Here’s everything you need to know about the folding Pixel. What will it be called? While many have been referring to it as the Google Pixel Fold, a report suggested that the device is likely to be called the Pixel Notebook. We’ve also seen a number of codenames put forward including Passport, Pipit and Logbook. At this stage, these are just rumours and we’ll only know for sure once Google decides to announce. Folding Pixel release date
Q4 2021 originally suggested
Could now be Q4 2022, or not
In December 2020, Ross Young of DSCC – who has a pretty good reputation reporting in forthcoming display moves – suggested we’d see something from Google in the second half of 2021. Further back, in August 2020, 9to5Google reported on an internal document leak aligning a device codenamed Passport, which was highlighted as a foldable, with a Q4 2021 launch. In June 2021, it was then claimed production for the display was due to begin in October and would be supplied fully assembled for Google to launch a phone by the end of the year. Google announced the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro on 19 October but the event didn’t include a folding Pixel. Ross Young then suggested that Google didn’t launch the folding device because of market pressures. Bad news for those waiting for the Google Pixel Fold. We hear they have canceled parts orders and decided not to bring it to market as indicated in the latest DSCC Weekly Review. See blog excerpt at https://t.co/EVmWKcgi2c. @DisplaySupply pic.twitter.com/2P5lFW09Pt— Ross Young (@DSCCRoss) November 15, 2021
In February 2022, Young then claimed the foldable Pixel was back on track with display production due to start in Q3 of 2022 for a launch in Q4 of 2022, and more specifically October. This suggests the folding Pixel might launch alongside the Pixel 7, though in May 2022, The Elec claimed the device has been postponed again. Waqar Khan x LetsGoDigitalDesign
No rumours as yet
Nothing has been said about what design this device might take. There’s been no leaks, no rumours and no suggestions – but we have seen some nice concept renderings. We don’t know if it’s a clamshell or book style folding device, although the rumoured size of the display suggests it will be book style, similar to the Galaxy Z Fold models. Certainly, software changes in Android provide greater support for folding phones and larger devices, so something that folds out to be pretty large would seem logical. Display
7.6-inch AMOLED
Samsung Dispaly supplied
120Hz, LTPO
For any folding phone, the display is obviously the centrepiece. This is where we have a little more information, with a 7.6-inch size reported for the original Passport device. It was originally thought that Samsung Display would be supplying this flexible AMOLED panel, and at that size – it’s the same as the Galaxy Z Fold 2 – we think it would be a book style folder, rather than a flip phone. It’s believed to be in-folding, i.e., so the folded display is on the inside of the device. It’s also been said that the display will be an LTPO display and it will offer a 120Hz refresh rate, which is what on the successor to the Z Fold 2 in the Galaxy Z Fold 3. There have been claims that while the main display will be the same size as the Galaxy Z Fold 4, the Pixel Fold will have a smaller cover display at 5.8-inches, compared to the rumoured 6.19-inches. Beyond that, we don’t know a lot. There’s been no mention of resolution, external display, or anything else – and Google may well have changed direction on this device completely. Hardware
Google Tensor chip
12GB RAM
With this entire project being a little uncertain at the moment, it’s not surprising there’s a real lack of information on what hardware this phone might have.
