Information, rumors, launch window, and rumored value

It is no secret that the first-gen Pixel Fold has some issues. Maybe owing to only how lengthy Google’s foldable cellphone existed as a rumor — to not point out the corporate’s determination to carry again a good earlier iteration — the Fold struggled to maintain up with its competitors proper out of the gate. And as telephones just like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 and OnePlus Open have launched with way more refined experiences, the distinction between Google and the remainder of the sector has grown that rather more apparent.

Fortunately, with first-gen jitters out of its system, Google ought to come again with a a lot stronger successor someday this yr. Though early rumors on a Pixel Fold follow-up are quiet, we do know the corporate is planning at the very least another product prefer it. When you’re excited a couple of second-gen Pixel Fold, this is all the pieces we all know up to now — and all the pieces you need to count on to see.

Google Pixel Fold 2: Design and specs

What does Google’s subsequent foldable appear to be?

One of many earliest rumors surrounding a Pixel Fold successor comes from an replace to the Pixel Buds accomplice app in October 2023, pinpointing a mysterious gadget often known as “Comet.” In code discovered throughout the APK, “Comet” was paired with “Felix,” in any other case often known as the first-gen Pixel Fold. However exterior of this small trace, it took months for the Pixel Fold 2 to begin taking form in our thoughts.

We have lastly seen our first glimpse of what could possibly be the Pixel Fold 2, and it comes with a reasonably large redesign. Along with a OnePlus Open-style entrance show — proper right down to the hinge and slim aspect bezel. That might’ve been a large change by itself, but it surely’s removed from the one one we’re anticipating. The again of the cellphone, at the very least in line with this leak, encompasses a new digital camera bump, with this mannequin being the primary Pixel gadget for the reason that Pixel 5a to fully lack a digital camera bar.

Together with this photograph, we received a few fast tidbits concerning the foldable display screen, together with Google’s transfer to a cutout for its digital camera somewhat than embedding it within the prime bezel, an identical transfer Samsung made in its earliest generations. The brand new form means the Fold 2’s show can be way more sq. than what you may discover on the first-gen Pixel Fold, although the shortage of a aspect bezel alongside the display screen means circumstances would possibly nonetheless be annoying to make use of.

Loads of this is smart, as each the very best and the worst parts of the Pixel Fold come right down to Google’s design. On one hand, the notebook-style hinge makes for a unique gadget. The outer display screen is spacious and roomy — genuinely, it made me miss 16:9 shows on smartphones. In the meantime, defaulting to a horizontal orientation when open is nice for multitasking and media alike. It actually permits the gadget to face out from the gang.

Following up on that leaked EVT unit, OnLeaks offered renders that look fairly much like the unique leak, proper right down to that sq. digital camera bump. Alongside these photographs, we additionally received our first phrase on the Pixel Fold 2’s measurements. The brand new outer show is a 6.4-inch panel, changing the 5.8-inch show on the first-gen mannequin for one thing extra in keeping with the OnePlus Open. On the within, you may discover a 7.9-inch display screen, up from 7.6 inches on final yr’s cellphone, with lowered bezels and a brand new cutout for the selfie cam.

The size actually inform all of it. Folded, the gadget is available in at 155.2 x 77.1 x 10.54mm, a far cry from the unique mannequin. Not solely is the brand new taller form apparent, however the lowered bulk would make the Pixel Fold 2 the thinnest foldable offered in North America. Unfolded, we’re 155.2 x 150.2 x 5.27mm, a far cry from the unique rectangular show on the primary Fold.

Nonetheless, there’s a lot we do not know, and all of it begins with the burden. Contemplating rival foldables from Samsung and OnePlus weigh 30 to 40 grams lower than the first-gen Pixel Fold, search for one of many greatest modifications to return on the size. Google has to make this factor lighter to maintain up with the competitors — the first-gen Pixel Fold is heavy sufficient that holding it in a single hand is an actual problem. And shifting to a brisker, extra customary design might assist make all the factor extra snug, even when it is rather less distinctive.

In fact, that is not the one place Google might enhance. The internal show is leagues behind the remainder of the sector. Implementing extra show layers — and even adapting the anti-glare end seen on the OnePlus Open — might do wonders. Likewise, the big bezels on the primary mannequin could possibly be slimmed down, maybe with a transfer to an under-display digital camera, and the crease could possibly be minimized to keep away from visible distractions.

So far as specs go, the processor powering the Pixel Fold 2 actually is determined by when it launches. An annual refresh would imply the Tensor G3, the identical SoC discovered within the Pixel 8 Professional, would make its manner into Google’s second-gen foldable, however we is perhaps in for a little bit of a shock on this entrance. Rumors level to the shift away from a prototype operating on a Tensor G3, to a brand new mannequin operating on the as-of-yet unannounced Tensor G4, codenamed “zumapro”. That ought to signify a reasonably sizeable leap over the first-gen Fold, particularly when mixed with a rumored 16GB of storage — a primary for the Pixel lineup.

Google Pixel Fold 2: Software program

Is best multitasking on the best way?

The model of Android the Pixel Fold 2 launches with actually is determined by when it launches. If it arrives within the first half of 2024 — say, round a yr after the primary mannequin — it will embrace Android 14 out of the field. If it arrives after Android 15 ships within the again half of the yr, it’s going to embrace Google’s newest construct. Both manner, we hope to see Google attempt to double-down on some foldable-focused enhancements this time. Samsung and OnePlus have each performed a wonderful job on this regard, and the Pixel Fold simply is not fairly there.

One place the place Google will certainly enhance over the first-gen mannequin is software program assist. The corporate appears dedicated to its new seven-year coverage for OS and safety patches alike, which might enable a Pixel Fold 2 launched in 2024 to see assist by means of 2031. That ought to assist the ultra-expensive price ticket for foldables go down a little bit bit simpler.

Android betas and developer previews have revealed that Google is not simply taking a web page out of the OnePlus playbook on design — it is also seeking to the corporate’s software program for inspiration. Google is wanting so as to add a technique to rapidly transition apps from the Pixel Fold’s internal show to the outer display screen, very similar to how OxygenOS presently handles apps proper now. Whereas the primary beta for Android QPR4 Beta 1 contained strings of code associated to this, we did not really see it in motion till Android 15 DP2’s launch in March. That construct lets you choose an choice in settings to proceed utilizing your apps with a swipe — simply how the OnePlus Open does it.

Whereas it’s going to be irritating to see Google maintain this feature again for Android 15, if the Pixel Fold 2 would not launch till the autumn, that’ll be the model it ships with anyway.

Google Pixel Fold 2: Cameras

May a brand new digital camera bump convey higher sensors?

The Pixel Fold impressed us with its cameras at launch, at the very least so far as foldables go, although our latest folding cellphone shoot-out proved Google has loads of house left to enhance. Among the finest issues concerning the firm’s design is its digital camera bar, permitting for a lot bigger sensors than what you would possibly discover on Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold collection. It is unclear but if Google plans to improve or change its sensors — one thing it would not do typically, to be frank — however we’ll possible see improved processing on the very least, together with the same old association of AI-focused instruments.

Google Pixel Fold 2: Worth and launch date

When’s this factor popping out?

Though it appeared just like the Pixel Fold would arrive at a extra reasonably priced value level than what we would beforehand seen from Samsung within the US, it was OnePlus that managed to undercut the competitors. Google’s first-gen Fold launched at $1,800 within the US, the identical value because the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and its successor. Contemplating the Pixel 8 collection noticed value hikes throughout the board, it is troublesome to think about the Pixel Fold 2 getting any kind of low cost. Till we hear extra, count on the MSRP to return in proper at that $1,800 mark for an additional yr.

One house Google might make some huge enhancements is in its availability. The Pixel Fold solely launched in 4 areas: the US, the UK, Germany, and Japan. It is apparent this specific gadget was meant as a testing floor for what a foldable Pixel could possibly be, and by maintaining the launch restricted in scope, it was simpler to maintain expectations low. Search for broader availability in a second-gen mannequin, although, particularly in areas the place different Pixels have landed for years. Meaning locations like Australia, France, Spain, and Canada could possibly be on the checklist.

As for when the Pixel Fold 2 would possibly arrive, all of it is determined by the chipset drama we highlighted earlier. If Google does intend to ship a foldable operating on Tensor G3, an I/O-timed announcement in Could appears all however sure. That stated, a shift to the Tensor G4 would possible place it in keeping with the common Pixel 9 collection in October, leaving us with out a new foldable from Google till this fall.

The foldable revolution has solely simply begun

Google’s received a protracted technique to go

I am not the largest fan of the first-gen Pixel Fold, however that solely makes me extra excited for its successor. Google has a very good base to work off with future fashions, and if the corporate can iron a few of the kinks out of its foldable, we could possibly be one thing really value rivaling the very best from Samsung and OnePlus. Solely time — and the same old deluge of Google rumors and leaks — will inform.