Pixel Notepad Unfolded: Leaked Renders Reveal Google’s Foldable Future
There have been numerous rumours about a Google Pixel foldable phone, possibly called the Pixel Fold or Pixel Notepad, for years. Some sources claimed it would be released in fall 2021, while others said it would be delayed until fall 2022 or even late 2023. Recently, design renders of the device have been leaked, suggesting that the company has moved beyond the prototype phase and chosen a final design. The Pixel Fold will have to compete against well-established brands like Samsung and Huawei and may face delays. It is unclear what the device will look like or when it will be released.
Several Android brands, including Samsung, Motorola, Huawei, OPPO, and Xiaomi, have already released multiple generations of foldable phones. Google, being late to the game, will need to prove the worth of its Pixel Fold to compete with devices like the Galaxy Z Fold 4. It is also possible that Google will release multiple designs of the Pixel Fold. The success of the device may depend on its ability to improve upon the flaws and limitations of previous foldable. As always, it is vital to take rumours and leaks with a grain of salt until the company makes an official announcement.
It remains to be seen whether the Pixel Fold will live up to the hype and fulfil the long-awaited desires of Google fans for a foldable phone. The company has a reputation for missing its product deadlines, so the device may face further delays. It is also unknown what features and specifications the Pixel Fold will offer. However, the leaked design renders and the fact that the company has reportedly moved beyond the prototype phase suggest that the Pixel Fold may become a reality shortly. We will have to wait for an official announcement from Google to know for sure.
The Great Pixel Fold Fiasco: Leaks Claim Device Could Arrive Anywhere Between Google I/O and Fall Pixel Event
Leakers have long claimed that Google planned to release a foldable Pixel phone, referred to as the Pixel Fold or Pixel Notepad, in fall 2021, March alongside Android 12L, and late 2022 with the Pixel 7 and Pixel Watch. However, none of these rumours have come to fruition. According to a source with knowledge of Google’s operations, the company has been shifting its deadline for the release of the Pixel Fold, which is now expected to be in 2023. However, no specific month has been provided.
DSCC CEO Ross Young indicated that it could arrive in spring 2023, while a source for Frontpagetech claimed it would be released in May 2023. An anonymous source provided a Google phone roadmap stating that the Pixel Fold and Pixel 7a would be released in May 2023. However, a more recent report from The Elec suggests that Google plans to begin mass production of the Pixel Fold in July or August 2023, indicating a potential fall 2023 release alongside the Pixel 8 and Android 14.
Fold On: All the Deets on Google’s Pixel Fold Names and Models
There has been speculation that the Google Pixel foldable phone may be called the Pixel Fold, Notepad, or Logbook. It is currently referred to as “Felix” internally, but this is likely to avoid using the final name.
There may be two foldable Pixel phones in development, with the Pixel Fold possibly featuring a horizontal-folding, tablet-sized display similar to the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and 4. The codename for this device is “Passport,” but it was also referred to as “Pipit” in code leaks. Another Pixel foldable with the codename “Jumbojack” has reportedly been used for software testing based on the phone’s “posture,” such as “half-opened” or “flipped.”
It is uncertain which, if any, of these foldable phones will be released.
The codenames “Passport” and “Jumbojack” for the two potential Pixel foldable phones may refer to the horizontal-folding and vertical-folding design, respectively. It is possible that “Jumbojack” may not be released and was used for internal testing for Android 12L. However, Google may consider releasing a foldable with a vertical-folding design similar to the Galaxy Z Flip 4 in the future.
Pixel Fold: How Much Will Google’s Foldable Cost?
There have been rumours that the Pixel Notepad foldable phone will be priced at $1,400, which is $400 less than the Samsung Z Fold 4. However, Jon Prosser at Frontpagetech claims that the Pixel Fold will cost $1,799. This price is similar to the production cost of the Samsung Z Fold series, as it has been suggested that Samsung Display will produce the Pixel Fold. Whether it is priced at $1,400 or $1,800, the Pixel Fold is expected to be more expensive than most people would be willing to pay for a phone. Trade-in deals may be available for the device.
Foldin’ the Future: The Google Pixel Fold is Here – But is it in Stock?
Google usually limits the availability of its phones to only a select few countries, like the Pixel 6a which is only available in 13 countries and the Pixel 5a only shipped to the United States and Japan. Therefore, it’s unlikely that the Pixel Fold will be sold in markets beyond Google’s typical countries, leaving consumers in other countries to turn to Samsung or OPPO for their foldable phone options.
Unfolding the Design: A Closer Look at the Google Pixel Fold
Leaked designs of the Google Pixel Fold have given a clear picture of what it will look like. The front unfolded display will have a square-ish appearance similar to the OPPO Find N, but wider than the Galaxy Z Fold 4. On the back, it will have a camera module similar to the Pixel 7 Pro but its width will make it resemble more of a phablet than a phone.
The first set of leaked renders from Frontpage tech depict the phone as described by insider sources, with a noticeable top and bottom bezel on the inner display, however, the cover display offers a wider design compared to the much more narrow outer display on the Z Fold 4.
Another leak of the Google Pixel Fold from OnLeaks has confirmed the previously leaked design from Frontpagetech. This leak also depicts the device with a square-ish foldable look, incorporating Google’s signature design elements. The leaker also revealed the phone’s display dimensions, a 7.68-inch inner display and a 5.79-inch cover display.
The design of the Google Pixel Fold is said to align with a DSCC leak, which suggested that it will use a 7.6-inch inner display with a 21.6:18 aspect ratio and a wide 5.8-inch outer display. A 91Mobiles leak also stated that it will have a Samsung-made display, measuring 123mm x 148mm when folded, with a resolution of 1840 x 2208. This makes it slightly smaller than the Z Fold 4, which measures 130.1 x 155.1 when unfolded, but with more pixels per inch.
Additionally, it is expected to have a side fingerprint sensor and a triple-rear camera module.
Furthermore, Weibo leaker Digital Chat Station claims that the Pixel Fold will have a “relatively small-sized large screen” similar to the OPPO Find N, with a square-shaped appearance. This claim is further supported by an Android 12L animation that Google used, which shows a square-shaped foldable.
Additionally, the inner display is claimed to be “full screen” with no hole-punch camera, instead, it will employ an “ultra-micro-hole camera” set within the frame of the phone. This design ensures that the device will have a seamless look and not rely on an under-display camera, as it was seen to be less impressive in the Z Fold series.
Google Pixel Fold: Specs
According to speculation, if the Pixel Fold releases in early 2023, it will use the Tensor G2 chip. This is based on the Android 12 beta source code, which references “Passport” using the same hardware as the Pixel 6 lineup. If the release date is pushed to late 2023, it will likely use the Tensor G3 chip instead. The Pixel 6 series had some hardware bugs but the Pixel 7 has had a cleaner launch. The expectation is that the Pixel Fold will use 12GB of RAM, similar to the Pixel 7 Pro and Z Fold 4, combined with Tensor G2 which will make it comparable to the best Android phones in terms of speed.
As for the display, it is expected that the Notepad will have the same QHD+ resolution and 120Hz refresh rate with LTPO for variable refresh rates as the Pixel 7 Pro. Additionally, it is believed that the foldable phone will come with a Sony IMX787 primary sensor (64MP, 1/1.3-inch) IMX386 ultra-wide shooter (12MP), and S5K3J1 telephoto sensor (10MP) and IMX355 selfie camera (8MP) the same as the Pixel 3 series. Although the telephoto lens is the same as the one found in the Galaxy S21 Ultra, so it will likely take good shots at 3X optical zoom.
Fold-tastic Features: The Google Pixel Fold’s Software is sure to impress
Android 12 was released on October 19, 2021, along with the Pixel 6, which brought new feature updates and the new design language, Material You. The Pixel 6 has an updated Security Hub, Pixel Call Screening, voice typing, Instant Translation and other AI-backed tools and the Pixel Fold will have access to all of these features and more.
However, it is Android 12L that should define the user experience on the Pixel foldable phone. The folded Pixel will likely work like any portrait or landscape-oriented phone, but it will have a multi-window layout for all apps for split screens, which will enable users to see more content from the apps all at once when opening the phone. Users can also place their favorite apps in a taskbar and drag and drop them into one half of the foldable display for easy multitasking. The taskbar can be revealed or hidden at any time with a long press, so the screen space will not be lost while using it.
Google has updated its keyboard app Gboard for foldable devices in June, which divided the keys across two halves to provide a better typing experience. This is expected to be one of the many improvements Google will make to its core apps, in preparation for the launch of the Pixel Fold.
Android 13 arrived in August, which mostly optimizes the changes made in Android 12 and 12L. It is most likely that the Pixel Notepad will ship with Android 13 and will receive three OS updates to Android 16 and five years of security updates until 2028.
The performance of stock Android on foldable devices and how it compares to the unique software developed by competitors like Samsung’s One UI 4.1 is yet to be seen. In the end, this will be more important than hardware for deciding how the Pixel Fold will compete with the best foldable phones.
