Google Pixel Fold: Price, Release Date, Specs, News, and Rumors

• Pixel Fold Release Date
• Price Rumors
• Pre-Order Information
• Google Pixel Fold Features
• Specs and Hardware
• The Latest News
• Frequently Asked Questions

Following other major phone manufacturers moving into the foldable phone space is Google, which appears to be launching one of its own. Commonly referred to as the Pixel Fold (possibly codenamed Pipit), it's been said that it will have three screens and include the company's in-house chip.

When Will the Pixel Fold Be Released?

The goalpost appears to slide over and over, but the short answer is that Google is most likely working on a foldable device, but it won't arrive anytime soon.

According to CNET, a developer at Google confirmed Google has been prototyping foldable phone technology for a long time, but that a use case wasn’t yet clear. That was in 2019. Since then, there have been releases and rumors of foldable phones from other companies, including Apple's foldable phone.

One indicator that we'd see this device in 2021 was a report from TheElec, which stated that Samsung Display is developing foldable OLED panels for Google. Serial leaker Jon Prosser backed these dates (but obviously his intel was wrong).

9to5Google obtained information about a release date for the foldable Pixel from a leaked document the “Q4 2021” timeframe, but this estimation was later updated based on a newer source, making that date just an announcement, with the actual release set for early 2022.

Then, David Naranjo, senior director at Display Supply Chain Consultants, banked on a Q4 2021 Pixel Fold release. This also lined up with a tweet from phone leaker and blogger, Evan Blass.

DSCC CEO, Ross Young, reported in late 2021 that Google had dropped the Pixel Fold. However, the most up-to-date word from Young is that it's still alive and should arrive in late 2022:

Release Date Estimate

From what we know right now, if a foldable from Google comes out at all, it won't be until late 2022—October, to be exact, if Young's estimate is correct. Keep an eye out for Google's events for any details.

Google Pixel Fold Price Rumors

Components like storage, cameras, and processor usually drive the price of a new phone. Plus, a foldable device has more parts than one that doesn't; three times the screen real estate definitely won't go unnoticed when pricing this phone.

Let's consider the phone will be essentially identical to the latest standard Pixel, only with multiple screens. The price hike will, in all probability, end up approaching that $2K mark. However, if the rumors are true (they probably are) and Google will be using its own chip, this could swing the price down a bit.

Another clue this phone won't quite reach that price is a source provided to 9to5Google, which says the device could cost less than the $1,800 Galaxy Z Fold 3.

New technology costs more, and if it's combined with additional complexities, it's easy to see why devices like this go for such a hefty price. Google's Pixel Fold (or Pixel Notepad as some are calling it) will be no different. Of course, Google could very well introduce it at a more competitive price, but don't expect to fork over the same as you would for a Pixel 6. It simply will not be comparable.

Pre-Order Information

Details on pre-ordering will be clear after Google announces the phone.

Google Pixel Fold Features

The foldable Pixel will undoubtedly look different from any of Google's past 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 6 doesn't have face unlock, and favors instead a fingerprint scanner, it's still up in the air as to which will arrive on the Pixel Fold.

Android 12 arrived in late 2021. Google doesn'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.

However, Google will release a tablet-focused OS called Android 12L in early 2022. This is most likely what the Fold will run on.

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.

Pixel Fold Specs and Hardware

We can't confirm yet how big the screen will be, but according to TheElec, which obtained details on Google's ordering of OLED panels, says that it's “around 7.6-inch in size”. Some rumors have suggested that we'll see three screens, like Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold2. Samsung's phone also has a 7.6" screen, meaning it could look a lot like that device from the outside.

YouTuber Waqar Khan shows off some renders of what a foldable Pixel could look like in this video using the Pixel 6 as inspiration. You can see how three displays might look on a foldable Pixel:

Google published two patents in January 2021 (here and here) for a foldable device. It's unclear if it's for a phone or something completely different like an e-reader—the illustrations don't show a camera like most drawings (though it could be under the display, especially considering the Pixel 7, slated for late 2022, might use an under-display camera). We'll keep a close eye on it.

Like the Pixel 6, experts expect that the Pixel Fold will feature Google's system on a chip (SoC).

The Pixel 6 has a 50 MP rear camera, 48 MP telephoto camera, and 11.1 MP front-facing camera. We could see this repeated in the Pixel Fold or something entirely different considering the larger screen size. This is echoed by Mishaal Rahman, who, according to Android Headlines, spotted a device that could be the Fold that has the same camera sensor set as the Pixel 6 Pro.

However, there are also rumors that the Fold will use the same camera setup as the Pixel 5.

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

The Latest News About the Pixel Fold

You can get more smartphone news from Lifewire. Here are related stories and some of the latest rumors we've found on the Pixel Fold:

• Has the Google Pixel phone been discontinued?

  Google discontinued the Pixel 4 and the Pixel 4 XL in August of 2020, but the Pixel 4A, Pixel 5a with 5G, and Pixel 6 are currently available, and we expect to see many more new models.

• What's the cheapest foldable phone I could buy?

  To find the least expensive foldable phone for you, consider manufacturer rebates, trade-in deals, carrier offers, refurbished prices, and sale or second-hand prices. Also, prices vary widely depending on storage and RAM options. A Microsoft Surface Duo starts at $1,399, but you may find an offer on Amazon for less than $1,000. Similarly, a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold retails for around $1,800, but you can get refurbished versions for about $800.