Google has finally confirmed the existence of its forthcoming foldable device, the Pixel Fold, through a short teaser video released on social media on Star Wars Day. The video showcases the design, hinge mechanism, inner display, and software of the Pixel Fold, giving us a closer look at Google’s first foldable device.
The Teaser Video
Google has been teasing the Pixel Fold for a couple of weeks now, releasing hints and leaks here and there. But on May 4, Star Wars Day, Google released a short teaser video showcasing the Pixel Fold. The video gives us a good idea of what to expect from the device, including its design, hinge mechanism, display, and software.
The Design
The Pixel Fold appears to have a chunky camera module at the back with three cameras and an LED flash unit. The module also features a mysterious grille whose purpose is yet to be confirmed. The hinge seems to fold the two halves shut without any visible gap, giving a clean and streamlined look to the device.
The Display
The Pixel Fold has an inner display with a rather thick bezel, a detail that the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold has had to deal with in earlier models. Google may have thought thicker bezels would make the tablet easier to hold. There’s also space around the top right corner for the inner selfie camera, which was shown off in recent leaks.
As for the outer display, it has its Always on Display feature enabled, but we don’t have a clear idea of its bezel. The Pixel Fold’s form factor is closer to Oppo’s Find N2, which has a wider and shorter design when folded compared to the Galaxy Z Fold.
The Software
Software-wise, the layout looks very familiar to a regular Android 13 home screen. We will have to wait and watch to know what sort of optimizations Google has made for its first foldable Pixel device.
Specs and Features
As per a recent report, the Pixel Fold will be powered by Google’s current generation Tensor G2 SoC, which also powers the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro smartphones. It is expected to have a 120Hz, 5.8-inch OLED outer display (1,080×2,092 pixels) with a 17.4:9 aspect ratio and a 120Hz, 7.6-inch inner display (1,840 x 2,208 pixels) with a 6:5 aspect ratio. The device is also said to have a 48-megapixel primary camera, a 10.8-megapixel ultrawide camera, and a 10.8-megapixel telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom. For selfies, it is likely to sport a 9.5-megapixel selfie camera in the outer display and an 8-megapixel camera above the inner display.
The Release Date
Google has hinted at a May 10 announcement for its Pixel Fold, planned to coincide with the first day of its annual I/O 2023 developer conference. Apart from the Pixel Fold, Google will also be announcing its successor to the Pixel 6a, the Pixel 7a, and the Pixel Tablet at the upcoming event.
The Verdict
Overall, the Pixel Fold looks like a promising device, with a unique design and powerful specs that could give other foldable devices a run for their money. Only time will tell how well the device performs and how much it will cost. We’ll keep you updated with more news about the Pixel Fold as it develops.
