Google Pixel Fold: News and Expected Price, Release Date, Specs; and More Rumors

Google is rumored to be launching a foldable phone, likely named Pixel Fold. It's expected to feature three screens and be powered by Google's own in-house chip. This move follows the trend of other major phone manufacturers entering the foldable phone market.

When Will the Pixel Fold Be Released?

The goalpost appears to slide over and over. Below is a rollercoaster of news over when and if the Pixel Fold will even arrive. Short answer: nobody knows for sure, but the most recent report is from WinFuture's Roland Quandt, who says the phone will arrive in June.

• According to CNET, a developer at Google confirmed Google has been prototyping foldable phone technology for a long time, but that a use case wasn’t yet clear. That was in 2019. Since then, there have been releases and rumors of foldable phones from other companies, including Apple's foldable phone.
  
• One indicator we'll see this device is a report from TheElec, which states Samsung Display is developing foldable OLED panels for Google. Serial leaker Jon Prosser provided an early 2022 release date, but that didn't happen.
• 9to5Google obtained information about a release date for the foldable Pixel from a leaked document the “Q4 2021” timeframe, but this estimation was later updated based on a newer source, making that date just an announcement, with the actual release set for early 2022.
• Then, David Naranjo, senior director at Display Supply Chain Consultants, banked on a Q4 2021 Pixel Fold release. This also lined up with a tweet from phone leaker and blogger, Evan Blass.
• DSCC CEO, Ross Young, reported in late 2021 that Google had dropped the Pixel Fold, but then updated his estimate to say it's still alive and should arrive in 2022.
• In late May 2022, The Elec revealed yet another postponement of the phone. Although it was planned for Q4, it's apparently been delayed until at least 2023.
• In late 2022, FrontPageTech said May 2023 would be when we'd see this phone.
  

Google Pixel Fold Price Rumors

Between $1,500 and $2,000 is what we're hearing, with one leaker claiming a starting price of $1799. But, we've also seen the range $1,300 to $1,500, so, nobody knows for sure, and won't until Google provides real numbers.

Components like storage, cameras, and processor usually drive the price of a new phone. Plus, a foldable device has more parts than one that doesn't; two extra screens definitely won't go unnoticed when pricing this phone.

Let's consider it'll be essentially identical to the latest standard Pixel, only with multiple screens. The price hike will, in all probability, end up approaching that $2K mark. However, if the rumors are true (they probably are) and Google will be using its own chip, this could swing the price down a bit.

Another clue this phone won't quite reach that price is a source provided to 9to5Google, which says the device could cost less than the $1,800 Galaxy Z Fold 3.

New technology costs more, and if it's combined with additional complexities, it's easy to see why devices like this go for such a hefty price. Google's Pixel Notepad will be no different. Of course, Google could very well introduce it at a more competitive price, but don't expect to fork over the same as you would for a Pixel 7. It simply will not be comparable.

Pre-Order Information

Details on pre-ordering will be clear after Google announces the phone.

Google Pixel Fold Features

The foldable Pixel will undoubtedly look different from any of Google's past line of Pixel phones. But we don't expect too much to change feature-wise, except for the apparent enhancements enabled with extra screens.

There will still be a front-facing and rear camera, speakers, Bluetooth, etc., like any modern-day phone. While the Pixel 7 does have face unlock and a fingerprint scanner, it's looking like the foldable Pixel will have a side-mounted traditional sensor.

Android 12 arrived in late 2021. Google doesn't need to make any significant changes to accommodate the tablet-sized screen, since it already develops the OS that runs on foldable devices from other companies. If anything, the Fold will support unique multitasking features that the competition, and smaller-screen Pixels, don't currently have.

However, depending on when it's released, the Fold will run the latest OS at the time, so likely Android 13 or 14.

There could be some exciting ways Google deals with what happens when the phone folds with multiple screens. When watching a movie in tablet mode, closing it might (and probably should) automatically continue the video on the outside screen.

Of course, we'll know more as we get closer to launch and see additional leaks.

Pixel Fold Specs and Hardware

We can't confirm yet how big the screen will be, but according to TheElec, which obtained details on Google's ordering of OLED panels, says that it's “around 7.6-inch in size”. Ross Young says the cover display will be 5.8". Some rumors have suggested that we'll see an outer screen like Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 4. Samsung's phone also has a 7.6" main screen, meaning it could look a lot like that device.

According to 9to5Google, the main screen (when the phone is unfolded) might have a display resolution of 2208x1840. The outer screen (when folded) looks to have a resolution of 1080x2100. The internal display could support a refresh rate as high as 120Hz.

YouTuber Waqar Khan shows off some renders of what a foldable Pixel could look like, using the Pixel 6 as inspiration. You can see in that video how three displays might look on a foldable Pixel.

Although not as visually appealing as that video, the one below, from YouTuber Dave2D, is super interesting because it details a supposed dummy model of the Pixel Fold. It confirms the screen sizes listed above, details how the hinge differs from other foldable phones, predicts a punch hole style front-facing camera, and reveals a camera cutout on the top right when unfolded.

The Pixel 7 has a 50 MP rear camera, 48 MP telephoto camera, and 11 MP front-facing camera. We could see this repeated in the Pixel Fold or something entirely different considering the larger screen size. This is echoed by Mishaal Rahman, who, according to Android Headlines, spotted a device that could be the Fold that has the same camera sensor set as the Pixel 6 Pro.

However, there are also rumors that the Fold will use the same camera setup as the Pixel 5.

Like the Pixel 7 and Pixel 6, experts expect the Pixel Notepad will feature Google Tensor. It just makes sense based on the timeline. The upcoming Pixel Tablet is already confirmed to have the Tensor G2, so the same is expected in the foldable.

We monitor new Pixel Fold rumors frequently and will update this page with anything relevant. For now, enjoy these awesome Pixel Fold renders from FrontPageTech.

Pixel Fold Specs (Rumored)
Display	7.7-inch (inner display) and 5.8-inch (outer display)
Chipset	Google Tensor
Memory and Storage	12 GB RAM / 128–512 GB
Camera	50MP primary; 12MP wide-angle secondary; 48MP telephoto 4x zoom; 12MP front-facing
Sensors	Proximity / Accelerometer / Fingerprint / Gyrometer / Compass / Barometer
Buttons and Ports	USB Type-C 3.1 / Power button / Volume controls
SIMs	Single Nano SIM and/or eSIM
Audio	Stereo speakers / 3 mics
Wireless	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac dual-band / Wi-Fi Direct / DLNA / Bluetooth 5.0, A2DP, aptX HD
Network	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Battery	~5000 mAh
Colors	Carbon and Porcelain

The Latest News About the Pixel Fold

You can get more smartphone news from Lifewire. Here are related stories and some of the latest rumors we've found on the Pixel Notepad/Fold: