All signs point to the Google Pixel Fold launching next month after years of rumors and speculation — and thanks to some newly leaked image renders, we also have a pretty good idea of what it might look like.
These pictures are provided by well-known twitter Evan Blass (opens in a new tab) (pass 9to5Google (opens in a new tab)) and presents this foldable phone in dark gray. Based on the color schemes of previous Pixel phones, the hue is likely to be called Charcoal.
There’s a bit of a bump around the rear camera unit that we’re used to on previous phones like the Google Pixel 7, and it looks like we’ve got three camera lenses on the back – which matches what we’ve heard before.
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Hinge and home screen
The foldable phone’s hinge looks nice and thin, so we expect the Pixel Fold to be thin and light. Earlier rumors suggested that the hinge of Google’s foldable phone would be more durable than that of Samsung’s equivalent.
We can also see the familiar Pixel home screen, with its Material Design theme. According to information we have previously learned from unofficial sources, the external screen size of the device will be a fairly compact 5.8 inches.
Google’s IO 2023 event kicks off on May 10, and considering how many Pixel Fold leaks we’ve had right now, it would be surprising if the foldable phone wasn’t announced — though it might not be until June.
Analysis: Google’s bold leap
With the release of the Google Pixel 8 later this year, Google now clearly feels it has enough experience with hardware to take the next step, which is actually more of a leap: launching the line of foldable phones.
Right now, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 leads the pack when it comes to foldable devices, but it’s not that big. Foldable technology is still hard to get right, with potential buyers still concerned about things like hinges and screen durability.
The sophistication of the technology also plays into the price: the phone is rumored to cost around $1,799 (probably around £1,649 in the UK). Google is betting that people will be ready to pay that much for their next phone.
From what we’ve heard so far, it’s going to be a solid piece of mobile hardware with a flexible folding mechanism and some high-end specs. However, we’ll have to wait and see if Google’s foray into the foldable phone space is popular with phone buyers.
