Google Pixel “Fold” Phone now could launch this year before end but this story not new

A new rumor suggests the Google Pixel Fold release date could be in the final months of 2021, bringing the Google foldable perhaps as a surprise announcement alongside the Google Pixel 6 we expect to launch in October.

A tweet from David Naranjo, Senior Director of Display Supply Chain Consultants, lists several devices arriving in Q3 and Q4 of 2021 that are rumored to use LTPO OLED panels from Samsung Display Company (SDC). The list includes the just-launched iPhone 13 Pro as releasing in Q3, while the Google Pixel 6 Pro and Google Pixel Fold are expected in Q4.

With the announcement of iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max having a variable refresh rate up to 120Hz marks 20 models that are current and rumored that use LTPO OLED panels from SDC. pic.twitter.com/5wlbsl2HF1September 16, 2021

Of course, it’s the reference to the Pixel Fold that’s exciting, especially with a release window by year’s end. That it’s expected around the same time as the Google Pixel 6 lineup, which we anticipate arriving in October, suggests Google’s foldable is coming a lot sooner than expected

Analysis: the Google Pixel Fold is coming…but when?

While we’ve been hearing that the Pixel Fold could launch in 2021 for awhile, it hasn’t been clear when the foldable would launch. There have been enough rumors suggesting its existence that it’s felt more a question of when, not if, we’ll see the phone. So what’s the argument for seeing it in 2021?

The most recent rumor compares alleged specs of the Pixel Fold against the upcoming Pixel 6 (which Google has so openly confirmed that units showed up in the windows of the NYC Google Store) – and the report suggests that the foldable might just be, well, a folding version of the tech giant’s next flagship. That includes the in-house Tensor chipset as well as a modem and cameras.

“Google Pixel Fold, Google’s first foldable smartphone, may launch in the fourth quarter of 2021 (October 1 to December 31)”

We could still see the Pixel Fold arrive in 2022: even though the foldable was referred to by its heavily-rumored codename (‘Passport’) in an Android 12 beta alongside codenames associated with the Pixel 6 and Google Pixel 5a, we may end up seeing it arrive in 2022 anyway.

We just haven’t heard nearly enough smartphone scuttlebutt about the Pixel Fold to suggest it’s rolling off production lines – not nearly as much as we’ve heard about the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. That said, maybe Google will still tease the device when it unveils its next flagship, just to keep us waiting for its reveal in the new year.

Google Pixel “Fold” Concept in Google pixel : A brief

Patently Apple posted a report titled “Two of Google’s Key Pixel Phone Architects are out which has caused a little Mayhem behind-the-scenes.” Days later we posted an IP report titled “A Google Patent filing reveals a Smartphone that uses both a Stylus & 3D Hand Gestures to take on iPhone and Samsung’s Note.” Google is certainly looking for an edge over Apple’s iPhone and now we learn that the Pixel team has even filed for a patent covering a possible foldable version of the Pixel phone.

That’s a riskier move than adding a stylus to a future Pixel phone, but if they could beat Apple to market, it would be some form of bragging rights. Of course, that’s if they have the talent to actually pull it off to begin with.

Google states that their invention covers an electronic device with a flexible display such as an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display can be embodied using two main parts that allow the device to be folded in the middle.

In an open state, the flexible display can be substantially planar, and in a closed state the flexible display can be folded by substantially 180 degrees. A mechanism can be provided that protects the flexible display in and between the open and closed states.

In Google’s patent FIG. 2 below we’re able to see an illustrated example of a cross-section of a folding phone device; FIG. 3 shows an example of a folding phone in an open state; FIG. 4 shows an example cross-section of a folding phone in an open state.

Although Google notes that the invention covers a folding phone, they also ensure that their invention covers a future folding tablet as well.

Google’s patent doesn’t expand on the marketing side of the folding phone by explaining how Android would support this or that feature. Instead the patent filing is all about the nuts and bolts of the physical device that goes into great detail about the folding hinge mechanism and so forth.

For instance, Google notes: “Advancement of the bracket along the shaft rotates the first arm about the first and second pivots. The electronic device further comprises a plate attached to the hinge and slidingly coupled to the first body member, the hinge coupled to the first body member by the plate, wherein the first arm has a second pivot with the plate.”

While it’s not exactly exciting stuff, it at least provides us with a peak at what Google’s engineers are working hard on which could end up either as an Android folding phone prototype for their OEMs to work with or even something fun for their Pixel Phone fans that’s different from an iPhone.

While Google’s patent filing was originally made in Q4 2018, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office published.

Who is supplying Display for Google Pixel “Fold”?

Google’s parent Alphabet has been rumoured to be working on a foldable device for quite some time, but we are yet to hear some concrete information. Naranjo adds that Google Pixel Fold and Pixel 6 Pro will feature LTPO OLED displays made by Samsung Display.

Other The original report claims that Google has ordered 7.6-inch panels, which just happens to be the size of the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 3’s internal display.

Another report from The Elec backs up the claim that the Google Pixel Fold will feature a 7.6-inch display.

“Adding further fuel to the Pixel Fold fire, YouTuber Waqar Khan has shown off a conceptual Pixel Fold from all angles in a new video.”

Google Pixel “Fold” Price Expected –

The Google Pixel “Fold”  mobile will come with adequate specifications and decent specifications. It is rumored to be available at a starting price of Rs 47,499.or USD 649.

While everyone seems to be pinpointing a late 2021 launch for the Pixel Fold, there’s less certainty on how much the device would cost. In fact, we’ve heard next to no chatter about a potential Pixel Fold price.

That leaves us to look at what other phone makers are charging for their foldables to get a sense of the direction Google might go in. Right now, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 3 is the most expensive foldable you can get, costing $1,799. Flip phones like the new Galaxy Z Flip 3 or Motorola Razr 5G are a little more affordable at $999 and $1,399, respectively — affordable being a relative term in this case.

‘The Galaxy Z Fold 3 costs $200 less than its predecessor, so Google will certainly want to be on par or below Samsung’s latest offerings. ”

Google Pixel Fold Specs and Hardware (Rumored)

The foldable Pixel will undoubtedly look different from any of the company’s past Google’s 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 5 removed face unlock in favor of a fingerprint scanner, it’s still up in the air as to which will arrive on the Pixel Fold.

Android 12 will come this September, just in time to be included on this phone. Google won’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.

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.

Like the Pixel 6, experts expect that the Pixel Fold will have the GS101 Whitechapel chip, Google’s system on a chip (SoC).

The Pixel 5 has a 12.2 MP dual-pixel rear camera and an 8 MP front camera. We could see this repeated in the Pixel Fold or something entirely different considering the larger screen size.

We monitor new Pixel Fold rumors frequently and will update this page with anything relevant.

Android 12.1 will improve the foldable phone experience?

With Android 12.1, or whatever the actual release name will be, Google is introducing a new default wallpaper that’s much more abstract. It’s artwork-like in nature, though it could still be a photograph. We could be looking at liquid up-close. That image is predominately dark with a very deep shade of blue taking up most of the image. There are lighter shades above and in the bottom-right corner.

Android 12.1 will improve the foldable phone experience?

Like before, we’re still not certain what this mid-cycle release will accomplish. As my colleague Kyle Bradshaw explained:

The Android 12 sc-v2 release, which we’re expecting will be called Android 12.1, will be improving upon a feature first seen in early Android 12 developer previews. In Android 12 Developer Preview 2, we enabled a hidden “taskbar” feature in the Pixel Launcher that appears at the bottom of the screen where the navigation bar normally resides and shows a handful of your frequently used apps and recently used apps. This taskbar was being developed for large screen devices like tablets, which have screens more suitable for multitasking.

However, since we first saw the taskbar in Developer Preview 2, we haven’t seen any major improvements to the feature in subsequent Android 12 previews. The reason, as we’ve now learned, is because Google was working on the feature behind-the-scenes for Android 12.1. In addition, we’ve learned that Google is developing this taskbar feature for another class of large screen devices: foldable phones. This makes intuitive sense, as foldables like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Huawei Mate X2 are essentially mini tablets when unfolded.

Stay tuned for more update

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