Folding smartphones are a staple of the Android smartphone world in 2023. And this year, we expect Google to join the foldable ranks with the long-awaited Google Pixel Fold.
Rumors of the Pixel Fold have existed for a long time, but all signs are pointing to 2023 finally being the year it makes its grand debut. And what a debut it’s shaping up to be. From all of the latest renders and hands-on images to specs and more, here’s everything you need to know about the Google Pixel Fold.
Google Pixel Fold: design
Our first real glimpse at the Pixel Fold arrived on November 14, when FrontPageTech published numerous renders of what the phone’s final design may look like. At first glance, it looks just like the Galaxy Z Fold 4 —featuring a cover display on the outside and a larger, tablet-like display when folded open. But there are a few key design differences to note.
For starters, the outer screen on the Pixel Fold looks considerably wider than the very narrow one on the Fold 4 and appears to be much more similar to the aspect ratio of a “normal” phone. When the Pixel Fold is opened, you see a much bigger screen on the inside that’s set to a horizontal landscape orientation. It’s a pretty different setup compared to the Z Fold 4 and, if anything, should be very close to the Oppo Find N and Oppo Find N2 in terms of its form factor.
In fact, YouTuber Dave2D was given a “dummy” version of the Pixel Fold (a plastic replica used to help accessory manufacturers understand the general design and dimensions of the device) and did a hands-on comparison. In the comparison, the Pixel Fold looks a lot like the Find N in terms of its scale and overall design. However, it boasts a much wider screen when opened. It also shares some hinge technology with the Find N since it uses a multi-access hinge to allow both screens to rest completely flush with one another — notably different from the gap near the hinge on Galaxy foldables.
One of the areas where the Pixel Fold seemingly differs from both the Find N and the Z Fold 4 is in its bezel. Dave2D’s dummy model has bezels on the top and bottom of the opened screen measuring 5.5-6mm, making it one of the thicker bezels on a current premium foldable. Dave2D comments that it’s not too much of a dealbreaker since the Pixel Fold is wider than other foldables, allowing it to make up for lost space on the sides.
Dave2D’s dummy model seems to be in line with images that have been posted by leaker OnLeaks to the site HowToISolve. According to them, the Pixel Fold will have a 5.8-inch front display and a 7.6-inch inner display. All in all, the dimensions of the Pixel Fold, when unfolded, measure 6.2 by 5.5 by 0.22 inches, according to the leak. In addition to the dimensions given by OnLeaks and Dave2D, 9to5Google reports that the Fold will have a width of 3.14 inches when folded.
A Pixel Fold has supposedly been seen out in the wild, giving us even more of a look into what the foldable will look like when in use. In a post on Reddit, one user snapped four pictures of someone using what looks to be a Pixel Fold on a subway.
The pictures are blurry, so it’s tough to say for sure if the device in question is a Pixel Fold or another, similarly designed foldable; but based on the discreet way the person was holding it, it seems as if they were trying not to draw attention to their device since it might be an unreleased product. If it is a Pixel Fold, then it seems to be a pretty comfortable size when folded, making it a solid option for those looking to use a wide screen to watch streaming content while on the go.
There are a few other important design details to highlight. FrontPageTech’s source for the Pixel Fold claims that the phone is “really heavy,” suggesting the phone is made out of glass and metal for a premium feel. While we don’t have a specific number for how heavy the Fold is, 9to5Google reports that it’s heavier than the Galaxy Z Fold 4, which weighs in at 263g.
What else do we have? There are speaker grilles on the top and bottom frames, a power button that reportedly doubles as an in-screen fingerprint sensor, and a Pixel 7 Pro-like camera island on the back big enough to house three different lenses.
Per a massive leak from Jon Prosser at FrontPageTech, the Pixel Fold will be available in just two colors: Porcelain (white) and Obsidian (black). Google usually offers a third “fun” color for its smartphones, but it looks like that may not be the case with the Pixel Fold.
During the last weekend of April 2023, Twitter user Evan Blass (aka @evleaks) dropped some images of what appear to be official renders from Google (possibly for marketing purposes) of the Pixel Fold. These are originally high-resolution 4K images that make the Pixel Fold look even more gorgeous with its design. The images show it’s also a small gap between the two halves, and the 5.8-inch front screen looks to be quite substantial. Blass also released some specs with the new leak.
Google Pixel Fold: specs
What about the specs? Here’s what we know. The Pixel Fold is almost certainly powered by the same Tensor G2 chipset found in the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro. It’ll come in two storage options — 256GB and 512GB — and both variants will have 12GB of RAM.
Z Fold 4 and Google foldable will have similar sized foldable displays, but the Google cover display will be quite a bit smaller at 5.8". This should mean it will have a wider aspect ratio than the Samsung 6.19" Fold 4. Hear more at our conference next week.
— Ross Young (@DSCCRoss) May 2, 2022
In May 2022, display analyst Ross Young reported that the Pixel Fold will have a 5.8-inch OLED cover screen and that it “will have a wider aspect ratio than the Samsung 6.19-inch Fold 4” — something that’s clearly visible in FrontPageTech’s renders. As for the inner display, it’s expected to be a 7.6-inch OLED panel. The outer display will have a resolution of 2092 x 1080, and the inner display will be 2208 x 1840.
But it won’t just be any OLED panel. According to a report from The Elec, the Pixel Fold’s display could be one of the first gadgets to use the M13 panel from Samsung Display. This would be an upgraded screen compared to the M12 technology used on the Galaxy Z Fold 4, potentially giving the Pixel Fold a better overall display quality. Furthermore, both the cover and inner screens will likely have 120Hz refresh rates.
One important spec for the Pixel Fold that seems to be promising is its battery capacity. Battery life has never been a strong suit for Pixels, nor are many foldables known for good endurance; however, reports seem to suggest that the Pixel Fold could be leading the way for improving battery life among foldables.
The report doesn’t give a specific number but says that the Pixel Fold will have a battery capacity higher than the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and the Oppo Find N2. According to the report, the battery will be “closer to, but still well below, 5,000 mAh.” It’s certainly frustrating that there isn’t a concrete number to go off of, but it’s equally as exciting that the Pixel Fold might be the first device to break the streak of foldables with poor battery life.
According to Blass’s leak, the Pixel Fold will be 5.5 inches tall, 3.1 inches wide, and 0.5 inches thick when folded. When unfolded, it will be 5.5 by 6.2 by 0.2 inches. The total weight will be 283 grams. The Pixel Fold will have IPX8 water resistance, USB-C 3.2 gen 2, and more.
Google Pixel Fold: camera
While Pixels may not be known for good battery life, they are synonymous with outstanding cameras — and the Google Pixel Fold shouldn’t be any different. FrontPageTech’s source says the Pixel Fold will have a “Pixel flagship camera” system and other leaks back that up.
According to the code, the camera setup is as follows: back of the phone: IMX787 main, S5K3J1 tele, IMX386 ultrawide. Inner camera is a IMX355 from the Pixel 6 and the outer sensor on the front is another S5K3J1. This is a fairly comprehensive setup, fitting for a premium device.
— kamila 🌸🏳️⚧️ (@Za_Raczke) September 8, 2022
Android researcher Kuba Wojciechowski found code in an Android 13 beta suggesting the Pixel Fold will have a 64MP Sony IMX787 sensor for the primary camera on the back, a 10MP telephoto camera, and a 12MP ultra-wide camera. However, a later leak from Jon Prosser says the camera system will consist of a 48MP main camera, 10.8MP ultrawide camera, and a 10.8MP telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom.
Along with the three cameras on the back, FrontPageTech reports the Google Pixel Fold will have two additional front-facing cameras — one 9.5MP camera in the hole-punch cutout on the outer screen and another 8MP camera in the top bezel above the inner display. We still don’t know how thick the camera bar will be, but it’s also important to note that it won’t go from edge to edge like previous Pixel phones. Instead, it’s a long, floating island kind of camera bar, similar to the Samsung Galaxy S21 and S22.
The latest leak from Evan Blass reveals some more details about the Google Pixel Fold’s cameras. The front camera will be a 9.5MP dual pixel with f/2.2 aperture and have an 84-degree field of view. The inner camera will be 8MP with f/2.0 aperture and an 84-degree field of view.
Google Pixel Fold: software
Depending on when it launches, the Pixel Fold could ship with Android 13 or Android 14, with the same Google customizations seen on other Pixels. This means Material You theme support, the usual slate of Tensor-powered AI tricks (such as Magic Eraser), and at least three years of future updates.
Given the larger size of the Pixel Fold’s inner screen, we can also expect some foldable-specific software tweaks. Google added numerous tablet/foldable optimizations with Android 12L and Android 13, such as improved multitasking, an app dock at the bottom of the screen, and redesigned apps that take advantage of the extra screen real estate. Google also looks to be expanding that large screen focus with Android 14.
Google Pixel Fold: price
Foldable phones have never been known for their affordable prices, and this should also be true of the Pixel Fold. Original rumors indicated that the price of the Google Pixel Fold could be 1,700 euros ($1,800), but it may not be as expensive as we think. A leaker on Twitter, Yogesh Bear, claims that the Pixel Fold could be anywhere between $1,300 and $1,500. If this pricing is accurate, it would undercut the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 by around $500 — making it more appealing for those who want a foldable.
However, leaker Jon Prosser reported in April that the Pixel Fold will cost the more expensive $1,800 amount that’s been rumored for a few months now.
So … what will the final price actually be? It’s impossible to say with any certainty. Phones like the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro are known for their competitive prices, so what’s to stop Google from bringing its aggressive pricing to the foldable niche? At the same time, foldables are a completely different breed of smartphone. With this being Google’s first folding phone, it’s safe to expect a higher price than a lower one.
Google Pixel Fold: release date
What about the release date? It was initially believed that the Pixel Fold could launch in the fourth quarter of 2022, but it missed that date. There are rumors suggesting that we should expect to see the foldable in the spring at Google’s yearly I/O conference scheduled for May 10, which is appearing to be more likely based on additional leaks.
According to a recent leak from Prosser on Twitter, the foldable won’t just be announced on May 10, but Google Store preorders for it will go live the same day, with partner preorders going live on May 30. While May 10 is pretty soon, the leaker also claims that it won’t actually be hitting store shelves until June 27, more than a month after its announcement.
Usually, there’s some delay between a device’s announcement and when it goes up for sale. However, the wait for the Pixel Fold seems like it’ll be staggeringly long. It’s unclear why it’ll take so long for the Fold to finally go live, but it could be a result of the continued production issues and delays that it’s faced.
Editors' Recommendations
- The iPhone 15 release date just leaked. Here’s when you can buy it
- Google Pixel 8: all the latest rumors and what we want to see
- The Galaxy Z Fold 5 needs these 4 things to beat the Pixel Fold
- Google’s future Pixel phones just got hit with bad news
- This Pixel Fold durability test is one of the worst I’ve seen
