Google Plans to Launch $1,700 Foldable Smartphone in June

[MacRumors]

Google in June plans to join Samsung in the foldable smartphone market with the launch of the Pixel Fold, reports CNBC. The device is expected to be priced around $1,700, which is in line with Samsung's pricing.

Render of Pixel Fold from OnLeaks, based on leaked rumors​

The Pixel Fold will be introduced at Google I/O in May, and Google plans to market it as a device with the "most durable hinge" on a foldable smartphone. When opened, the Google Fold will feature a 7.6-inch display (the same as the Galaxy Z Fold 4), and it will open up like a book. It will be water-resistant, sized to fit easily in a pocket when folded, and it will have a battery that is able to last for up to 24 hours.

Most of Google's Pixel devices are relatively affordable, but the Pixel Fold will have a high price tag due to the cost of the display and the hinge. Google has already been adapting Android for foldable devices, and CNBC says that the Pixel Fold will allow it to better demonstrate what a Google-made foldable phone experience is like.

With the Pixel Fold coming in June, Google will beat Apple to foldable smartphones. There are rumors that Apple has been experimenting with foldable iPhones, but the company could actually introduce the technology in the iPad first.

At the current time, there is no solid word on just when Apple might introduce its first foldable iPhone, but analysts have suggested it won't come until 2025 at the earliest.

Article Link: Google Plans to Launch $1,700 Foldable Smartphone in June

 

[t0rqx]

iPhone does not need the fold. AR is the future. We need an Apple Watch Fold like the Nokia O.G. Concept Phone Fold Strap.

 

[blazerunner]

What google needs to do is bend the truth like Apple and convince people they invented the folding phone. Do that, and everyone will attribute the technology to Google and create false dominance.

Apple convinced everyone they invented the smartphone and multi-touch. They did neither.

At 7:06 he lies about it. Bill Buxton did it many years prior to Apple.

 

[baryon]

Never really saw the appeal of foldable phones until I tried one, and it's not that dumb actually. Not in their current form (they're too thick and weird shaped when folded), but in some time I can imagine a very thin phone that folds out to become a tablet. Having one device replace two has a clear advantage, but only if that device is better than each one it replaces, not worse.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Bring 'em on! A pocketable, bigger screen does solve a problem that some have.

Hopefully, Apple is working on some way to deliver bigger-screen iPhones (or is that foldable/rollable iPads?) so that BOTH the many benefits of a larger screen that is also "pocketable" become an option for those interested Apple-or-bust fans.

Personally, I opt to use iPad Mini 6 to also cover phone/texting needs (buds with mic and VOIP app) and the ONE thing it lacks- IMO- is easy pocketability.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Wow! This might be appealing to a lot of existing Android and iPhone customers.

 

[CarAnalogy]

Yeah good luck with that. About the only thing Google is good at copying from the competition is the price.

Samsung has enough trouble with these foldables. Google’s legendary hardware quality indicates that theirs will have even more issues.

I’m not saying a foldable phone is something that’s impossible to get right or that no one wants, but I hope Apple takes their time as usual and waits until the tech is actually ready.

 

[bmot]

Coworker of mine tried the latest Samsung foldable and an expensive Android smart watch for a few months. He went back to Apple because both devices where too limited for him.

 

[4odomi]

What google needs to do is bend the truth like Apple and convince people they invented the folding phone. Do that, and everyone will attribute the technology to Google and create false dominance.

Apple convinced everyone they invented the smartphone and multi-touch. They did neither.

Oooooooo, very bitter 🤣
Now for a bit of soothing reality;
When Apple do something, they do it properly, that's why they're the market leaders 😊

 

[izzle22]

What google needs to do is bend the truth like Apple and convince people they invented the folding phone. Do that, and everyone will attribute the technology to Google and create false dominance.

Apple convinced everyone they invented the smartphone and multi-touch. They did neither.

Apple never claimed to invent either. Only to make them better to which they did.

 

[4odomi]

Google in June plans to join Samsung in the foldable smartphone market with the launch of the Pixel Fold, reports CNBC. The device is expected to be priced around $1,700, which is in line with Samsung's pricing.

Render of Pixel Fold from OnLeaks, based on leaked rumors​

The Pixel Fold will be introduced at Google I/O in May, and Google plans to market it as a device with the "most durable hinge" on a foldable smartphone. When opened, the Google Fold will feature a 7.6-inch display (the same as the Galaxy Z Fold 4), and it will open up like a book. It will be water-resistant, sized to fit easily in a pocket when folded, and it will have a battery that is able to last for up to 24 hours.

Most of Google's Pixel devices are relatively affordable, but the Pixel Fold will have a high price tag due to the cost of the display and the hinge. Google has already been adapting Android for foldable devices, and CNBC says that the Pixel Fold will allow it to better demonstrate what a Google-made foldable phone experience is like.

With the Pixel Fold coming in June, Google will beat Apple to foldable smartphones. There are rumors that Apple has been experimenting with foldable iPhones, but the company could actually introduce the technology in the iPad first.

At the current time, there is no solid word on just when Apple might introduce its first foldable iPhone, but analysts have suggested it won't come until 2025 at the earliest.

Article Link: Google Plans to Launch $1,700 Foldable Smartphone in June

Looks like the Microsoft Book with a camera module stuck on 🤣, I have no interest in the novelty of folding phones, so good luck to them

 

[Zc456]

And it'll be gone in two years.

 

[flyingember]

The major problem with foldable phones is they think people want thicker phones. Once you fold it the thickness doubles.

They don't take standard cases, so some part of the phone isn't protected whole folded.

You can fold something into the screen, damaging it.

50% of the population isn't a good customer, have they seen how small women's pockets are?

I predict foldable screens get their biggest use for curved surfaces like signs, not for phones.

 

[daneoni]

I've bought MacBook Pro's for 1700!

A phone for 1700?!

Even an iPad Pro is cheaper than that

 

[macsplusmacs]

Would rather buy 1700 taco bell tacos.

Would be a better experience.

File under things that are never used anymore since google will abandon it in no time.

 

[klasma]

Clearly Apple is above the fold.

I mean, the fold is beneath them.

Not sure I’m communicating this right…

 

[gpat]

Breaking news, Apple plans to launch $1700 non-foldable smartphone in September.

 

[corinthos]

Sorry Google and Samsung, but your devices won't be new and innovative ideas until Apple comes out with it in 5 years!

 

[klasma]

Would rather but 1700 taco bell tacos.

Would be a better experience.

tacOS > macOS

 

[jdawgnoonan]

What google needs to do is bend the truth like Apple and convince people they invented the folding phone. Do that, and everyone will attribute the technology to Google and create false dominance.

Apple convinced everyone they invented the smartphone and multi-touch. They did neither.

I don't remember Apple making either of those claims. However, they did develop and release the first enormously successful smartphone that supported multi-touch, which did result in Google redeveloping Android to compete with iPhone instead of with Blackberry.

 

[jdawgnoonan]

I would love a truly durable folding phone. I had the Z Fold 3 and I loved the device until one drop from about two feet on carpet caused the exterior screen to stop functioning. It was a great device to have on hand as an e-reader and resulted in my spending less downtime uselessly scrolling through social media and instead I was reading books.

 

[coffeemilktea]

Considering that the main appeal of folding phones is the hardware, and Google's Pixel line consistently has far less impressive hardware than Samsung (or most OEMs for that matter), I can't imagine this will go well. 😅

(especially not for that ridiculous price)

 

[Kierkegaarden]

If this actually does happen, it could be a challenge for them. Their customer is most likely someone who already prefers the Pixel devices. With the smartphone market in a decline cycle, uncertain economy, an expensive phone from a brand that doesn’t have mass appeal could be a problem.

 

[ghanwani]

I like the form factor of the Oppo Find N2.

The Oppo Find N2 is amazing — here's 5 ways it beats Galaxy Z Fold 4

This just became my favorite foldable phone

www.tomsguide.com

 

[imnotkleenex]

I had a Galaxy Z Flip 3 phone for 18 months before it cracked. Had screen protector and case all day, I never dropped it and was careful not to open it up too many times for no reason. Still, crack after a year and a half and Samsung doesn’t cover it, so imo while it’s a really cool concept and I did really enjoy the form factor, fact is the tech isn’t there yet. I think something along the lines of the Surface Duo but trying to make it so the screens actually appear as one when opened up would be a better design as you have less risks of breaking it.