Google has announced its first foldable phone, the Pixel Fold, which it will present during the Google I/O 2023 event next week, May 10th. Although Google has not yet disclosed any specifications, a brief teaser video shows a full-size outer display on a phone that opens similarly to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold devices.
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According to CNBC, the Pixel Fold will fold out from a 5.8-inch phone to a 7.6-inch tablet and will feature a Google Tensor G2 processor, weigh 283 grams, and have “the most durable hinge on a foldable”. The device is expected to cost over $1,700, making it more expensive than Samsung’s latest foldable, the Z Fold 4, which was launched at $1,799.
Although the Pixel Fold was expected to be launched last year, it did not make the cut for I/O in 2022. Rumors about its launch have persisted over the past year. Google has been focusing on teaching Android developers how to make their apps work on foldable devices and larger screens, which may pay off next week with the launch of the Pixel Fold and the new Pixel Tablet.
Google I/O 2023 will begin with a keynote from CEO Sundar Pichai, followed by on-demand developer sessions that will be available to watch on YouTube and the I/O website. This year, there will be a lot at stake at I/O 2023, and it is likely that Google will spend a significant portion of the event showcasing its latest AI advances and innovations. This is particularly important given the recent announcement of Bard, which did not go according to plan after the chatbot shared incorrect information about the James Webb Space Telescope. Google needs to show that it won’t be outdone by rivals such as OpenAI.
A page on the Google Store allows interested parties to sign up for more information once the Pixel Fold is officially revealed on May 10th. With this announcement, Google is joining other tech giants such as Samsung, Microsoft, and Huawei in the foldable phone market.
