The Google Pixel Fold is more of a real thing than a concept – and could even make it this year.
That is according to the well-known leaker Jon ProsserAt least, and it supports a story earlier this week that Google asked Samsung to develop a 7.6-inch OLED panel for use on a foldable device.
Prosser’s tweet wasn’t exactly detailed, but he was sure the Google Pixel Fold is real. And in one answer When asked by a follower, he indicated the launch window as late this year or early 2022.
We have no doubt that Google is working on a foldable phone as the rumors date back to the middle of last year. Smartphone display expert Ross Youngfeatured in the responses to Prosser’s first tweet, mentioned that in December he himself predicted that a single foldable from Google would come by the end of this year.
There aren’t many details about the Pixel Fold’s specs. All we know, thanks to a Korean news report, is that the phone can use a flexible 7.6-inch display.
Whether Google is launching the Pixel Fold this fall / winter or next spring, the main rivals are likely to be from Samsung. Currently, these are the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip, which balance a smart design inside and out. Of course, by the time the Pixel Fold appears, it will likely compete with the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3.
The rest of the current foldable market is not quite up to Samsung’s standard. There’s also the Motorola Razr, but it was let down by disappointing hardware – although the 5G version appears to have improved. The Huawei Mate X2 was announced earlier this week and has impressive specs. However, as it is made by Huawei, the phone is not available in the US and it does not offer the Google apps that Android users rely on.
It means that if 2021 turns into 2022, the likely top performers in the foldable products category will remain Samsung’s. A new competitor with no technical or software issues, such as this rumored Pixel Fold or the iPhone Flip, would be just the kind of competition needed to break Samsung’s dominance by default.
Google’s software skills could mean the Pixel Fold will be one of our best foldable phones when it finally arrives. In the meantime, we’ve got the Google Pixel 6 and Google Pixel 5a to look forward to, both of which will likely rank among the best Android phones out there.