Google has finally confirmed the existence of its first foldable phone, the Pixel Fold, after months of rumors and leaks. The tech giant will reveal more details about the device at Google I/O on May 10, but it has already given us a glimpse of what it looks like and how it works. Here is everything you need to know about the Pixel Fold, Google's first foldable phone.
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Design and Display
The Pixel Fold is a book-style foldable phone, similar to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold series. It has a full-size screen on the front that opens up to a larger screen on the inside, giving you more space to enjoy your apps, games, videos and more. The inner screen is rumored to measure 7.69 inches, while the outer one could be 5.79 inches. The phone also has a rear camera bump that looks like other Pixel phones, though we don't know the exact specifications yet.
The phone will come in two color options: a light one that may be called "chalk" or "porcelain" and a dark one that may be called "carbon" or "obsidian". The phone will likely have a metal frame and a glass back, with a hinge mechanism that allows it to fold smoothly and securely.
Performance and Software
The Pixel Fold will likely run on Android 13 and feature Google's custom Tensor chip for better performance and AI capabilities. The Tensor chip is Google's first in-house processor that powers the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro phones. The chip is designed to enhance the camera, speech recognition, natural language processing and other features that rely on machine learning.
The Pixel Fold will also benefit from Google's reputation for delivering smooth updates and helpful features on its Pixel phones. The phone will likely have features such as Adaptive Battery, Adaptive Sound, Adaptive Brightness, Hold for Me, Call Screen, Live Caption and more. The phone will also have access to Google's exclusive services such as Google Photos, Google Assistant and Google Lens.
Camera and Battery
The Pixel Fold will likely have a similar camera setup as the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro phones, which have been praised for their photography prowess. Some rumors suggest the Pixel Fold could have a 50-megapixel main camera along with two 12-megapixel cameras and an 8-megapixel one. The phone could also have a selfie camera on the front screen and another one on the inner screen.
The Pixel Fold will likely have a large battery to power its dual screens and high-end specs. Some reports indicate the phone could have a 5,000 mAh battery or even larger. The phone will also support fast charging and wireless charging, as well as reverse wireless charging to charge other devices.
Price and Availability
The price and availability of the Pixel Fold are still unknown, but some reports indicate it could cost between $1,400 and $1,800 and go on sale in June. The phone will likely be available in select markets at first, such as the US, UK, Canada, Australia and some European countries. The phone will likely be sold through Google's online store as well as some carriers and retailers.
Competition and Future
The Pixel Fold will face competition from other foldable phones in the market, such as Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Z Flip 4, Huawei's Mate X2 and Oppo's Find N. These phones have already established themselves as popular choices among foldable phone enthusiasts, offering different designs, features and prices.
Apple is also rumored to be working on a foldable iPhone, but that might not arrive until 2025. Apple has reportedly ordered samples of foldable displays from Samsung for testing purposes. If Apple does launch a foldable iPhone in the future, it could pose a serious threat to Google's Pixel Fold.
Google hopes to take foldable phones more mainstream with the Pixel Fold, by offering a premium device that showcases its software and hardware innovations. The Pixel Fold could also pave the way for more foldable devices from Google in the future, such as tablets or laptops.
The Pixel Fold is one of the most anticipated devices of 2023 and we can't wait to see more of it at Google I/O next week. Stay tuned for more coverage from WIRED as we learn more about Google's first foldable phone.