After floating around the rumor mill for several months, the Google Pixel Fold could launch later this year. The first-ever foldable smartphone from the search engine giant has been subject to a lot of leaks and speculations. Earlier reports have indicated that the company started working on the device more than two years ago. It is understandably the much-awaited phone from the company, which is still riding high on the success of its Pixel 6 smartphone.
Google has reportedly been working on its first foldable product for a long time. The device has made multiple appearances online in the past. Back in May, the device was even spotted on the Android 12 public beta. This suggested that the tech behemoth is hard at works on a foldable Pixel device. A device codenamed Passport was spotted in the public beta code earlier this year. It was widely believed that the Passport is Google’s foldable Pixel phone.
Google Pixel Fold Likely To Launch Soon
Noted leaker Evan Blass (@evleaks) claims that Google is planning to launch its foldable device before this year comes to an end. Furthermore, the company is likely to give us a glimpse of the foldable handset during the Pixel 6 launch event, which will take place in October. While the phone is tipped to be codenamed Passport, details about its retail name are still scarce. Blass even corroborated earlier reports that suggest Google has been working on the foldable device for more than two years.
Heard from someone I trust that the foldable Pixel — codename: Passport, retail branding: unknown — will indeed launch before the end of the year. Apparently they’ve been working on this device for over two years, and if the P6 is any indication, it’ll be worth a look.
Gizchina News of the week
— E (@evleaks) September 20, 2021
However, the tipsters claim that “it’ll be worth a look.” Regrettably, details about the exact launch date of the foldable smartphone are still few and far between. It is worth noting though that Blass’s tweet coincides with a Display Supply Chain Consultants report. According to 91mobiles, Google could launch its first foldable phone in the fourth quarter of 2021. Furthermore, the publication suggests that it could come with an LTPO OLED panel manufactured by Samsung Display Company.
What Else Do We Know?
If rumors making the rounds online are anything to go by, Samsung will provide UTG (Ultra-Thin Glass) to Google for the Pixel Fold. Aside from that, the smartphone is likely to feature an under-display camera. A previously leaked blueprint of the Pixel Fold showcased the phone’s design. The schematics suggest that the foldable phone will bear a striking resemblance to the Galaxy Fold smartphones. However, it appears to have an outward folding display, and the hinge seems to be placed at the center.
Moreover, TheElec suggests that the phone measures 7.6-inches in an unfolded form. Earlier this year, another renowned tipster Jon Prosser suggested that the Google Pixel Fold is in the works. This piece of information was later corroborated by analyst Ross Young. According to Young, leading manufacturers, including Google, are gearing up to launch folding smartphones. He went on to suggest that Google’s foldable phone will be unveiled in Q4 of 2021. This timeframe coincides with Blass’ recent claim.
