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Rumours of a folding Pixel have been around for many years now. Finally, however, those rumours have come to fruition with the launch of the Google Pixel Fold - the company's first folding phone, taking the Pixel in a new direction. It's also the company's most expensive phone, indeed the most expensive folding phone we've seen so far.Here's everything you need to know about the Pixel Fold.

Google Pixel Fold price and release date

The Google Pixel Fold was announced at Google I/O, following an official tease on 4 May that confirmed the date and revealed the design. The Pixel Fold is priced at $1800 in the US, while it costs £1750 in the UK. That's right, this is an expensive device, outstripping the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 when it comes to price.

The Google Pixel Fold is going on pre-order through the Google Store, in the US, UK, Germany and Japan initially, so you'll be able to claim your device - and for those pre-ordering in the US, that will include a free Pixel Watch.

The shipping date is still is going to be around late June or early July.

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Google Pixel Fold

Google Pixel Fold design

  • 139.7 x 79.5 x 12.1mm (folded); 139.7 x 158.7 x 5.8mm (unfolded), 283g
  • Book-like foldable design
  • Glass and aluminium, IPX8
  • Obsidian and Porcelain colours

The Google Pixel Fold is clearly an evolution of the Pixel 7 design, with a similar look to the frame. The camera on the rear sits in a raised section, similar to the camera bar on the Pixel 7 Pro, but it doesn't stretch right from edge to edge.

Google told us that the big problem with folding phones at the moment is how thick they are when folded, so the aim of the Pixel Fold design was to result in a slimmer device and to offer a more usable external display. At 5.8mm thick when unfolded, it's going to be slim in the hand - although it's not the slimmest out there, with the Huawei Mate X3 being just 5.3mm thick - and 11.08mm when folded, about a millimetre thinner than the Pixel Fold. However, the Pixel Fold is slimmer than Samsung's rival, which is 6.3mm thick unfolded, but up to 15.8mm thick folded because of the hinge design.

Google has used stainless steel for the hinge, with a polished aluminium frame and Gorilla Glass Victus for the cover and rear glass panels. The whole thing has an IPX8 rating, meaning it's water-resistant, but has no dust protection. The hinge will allow you to stand the phone at various angles, so you can use tabletop mode for taking photos for example, giving you loads of versatility.

There are two colours - Obsidian (black) and Porcelain (white ish) - and as we said, the frame and buttons look like the rest of the pixel family, as do the speaker grilles and everything else. There are stereo speakers supporting spatial audio.

The power button incorporates a fingerprint scanner for unlocking, with facial recognition also supported.

Pixel Fold display

  • Internal: 7.6in, OLED, 2208 x 1840 (380ppi), 120Hz, 1450 nits peak, HDR, 24-bit
  • Cover: 5.8in, OLED, 2092 x 1080 (408ppi), 120Hz, 1550 nits peak, HDR, 24-bit

There's a 7.6-inch internal display with a 2208 x 1840 pixel resolution resulting in 380ppi with a 6:5 aspect ratio. This means it's not quite square, but it is a big space. Google doesn't declare who the supplier of the folding panel is, but does say that it uses Ultra Thin Glass with a protective plastic layer, so it sounds like it's a Samsung display. There's an impressive 1450 nit peak brightness, so that should drive your HDR content really well and make everything look great.

The external display measures 5.8-inches and has a 2092 x 1080 pixel resolution meaning 408ppi and a 17.4:9 aspect ratio. It's not the largest display on the exterior of a folding phone, but it's wider than you'll get from the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4, so might prove a little more useful. There's a punch hole for the exterior camera. Again there's a 1550 nits peak brightness, and a 1200 nits normal brightness, so the external display should also be great in bright conditions outdoors.

What we don't really know is what sort of display crease there might be or how well it will withstand vigorous use.

Pixel fold on a table
Google

Pixel Fold hardware specs

  • Google Tensor G2, 12GB RAM, 256/512GB storage
  • 4821mAh, 30W wired, Qi standard wireless charging

The Pixel Fold is powered by Tensor G2. That's Google's in-house hardware found in the Pixel 7, which you can read more about in our explainer feature. This chipset might not match up to Snapdragon-powered rivals like the Galaxy Z Fold 4, but it's still powerful and enables a lot of neat features in the current Pixels. It's backed by 12GB RAM and 256 or 512GB storage - although there may be some regional variation here.

There's a 4821mAh battery, which is said to support Google's 30W charger for faster recharging, while also offering Qi wireless charging. Google says that you'll get over 24 hours of battery from the Pixel Fold.

As to the actual performance, we don't yet know exactly what the experience will be like. Google has redesigned a lot of Google apps to make better use of the screen space available for a better tablet-like experience. Until we review the Pixel Fold, however, we won't know exactly how smooth the experience is. Having used Pixel Tensor G2 devices in the past, we have no doubt it will be nice and fast.

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Google

Pixel Fold cameras

  • External (triple camera system):
    • Main: 48MP, 1/2in sensor, 0.8µm, f/1.7, OIS
    • Ultrawide: 10.8MP, 1/3in sensor, 1.25µm, f/2.2, 121.1°
    • Telephoto: 10.8MP, 1/3.1in sensor, 1.22µm, f/3.05, 5x optical, 20x Super Res Zoom
    • Front: 9.5MP, 1.22µm, f/2.2, fixed focus
  • Internal:
    • 8MP, 1.12µm, f/2.0, fixed focus

There's no shortage of cameras on the Pixel Fol; because there's more sides and ways to hold and use cameras, you end up with effectively two "front" cameras, one on the external display and one on the internal display. Such is the way with this style of folding phone. It's also inescapable that the main camera on the rear can be used as a selfie camera too, because you can just open the whole thing up, using the external display as a viewfinder. That means that Google can say this is the highest quality selfie camera it has put on a Pixel phone, because it's referring to that main rear camera.

We've covered the full specs above so we won't repeat everything here, but what's interesting is that this isn't just a duplication of what we find on the Pixel 7 Pro. It's a different camera system, even if the software that underpins it - and the features that it offers - are going to be basically the same. As we said, there are things like tabletop mode, so you can have a little more diversity when composing photos. That's going to include tent mode, so you can prop the phone up for astrophotography without the need for a tripod.

Worth noting is the 5x periscope optical zoom and combined hybrid Super Res Zoom out to 20x, as well as the ultrawide, so there's a full system of cameras to play with here. We suspect that the internal camera is going to be the weakest performer, but it's also generally the most fiddly to use on a folding phone. We can't assess the full performance of these cameras until we review the Pixel Fold, but given that much of the performance is driven by Google's computational algorithms, we are expecting great performance. You'll get all the fun features like Night Sight, Magic Eraser and more.

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Google

Pixel Fold software

  • Android 13
  • 5 years of updates

Google is keen to point out that a lot of work has been done to improve the software experience for the Pixel Fold. It runs Android 4 and will have 5 years of Pixel Updates, which we suspect will equate to four OS version updates and 5 years of security updates. The modifications made for the larger display include adapting over 50 Google apps and working with partners to create better big screen experiences - that includes apps like Minecraft, Candy Crush, Evernote, Deezer, Kobo, TikTok, Spotify, Disney+ and more.

One of the native elements will be a split screen experience, drag and drop and with that tabletop mode supporting apps like Netflix and youTube. We've seen similar from Samsung, but it's going to be great to see Google offering this natively.

On top of this you'll get the clean experience that Pixel is known for, avoiding the pre-installs, duplication and bloat that some rivals will push on you. The other side of this benefit is that we'd expect the Pixel Fold to be front of the queue when it comes to updates. That's on top of the smart functions that Google enables via AI, such as the transcribing recorder, dual screen live translation and a whole lot more.

Google Pixel Fold: What happened before launch?

Here's everything that's happened prior to the launch of the Pixel Fold.

5 May 2023: Google officially shows off the Pixel Fold and doesn't it look slim?

Google has teased the new folding phone not only on social media, but it even has a page on the Google Store for it, inviting people to sign up for more information.

24 April 2023: Here's the Google Pixel Fold and don't let those bezels put you off

Is this our best look at the Google Pixel Fold yet?

19 April 2023: Google Pixel Fold leak brings disappointing news, but there's a silver lining

The Pixel Fold isn't going to be a cheap option, but there's at least a silver lining to this cloud.

10 April 2023: Google Pixel Fold tipped for mysterious display upgrade over Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 5

Google could be about to use an upgraded display in its much-rumoured Pixel Fold.

15 March 2023: Google Pixel Fold and Pixel 7a prices revealed by known tipster

The Google Pixel Fold and Pixel 7a release dates have already been leaked, now we have pricing details.

14 March 2023: Google Pixel Fold tipped for June launch along with pricing

According to WinFuture and 9to5Google, the listings have revealed the foldable device's price, color options, and expected launch window.

11 March 2023: Android 14 DP2 readies new features for Pixel Fold

Google is preparing more features for the upcoming Pixel Fold with Android 14. The second Android 14 preview includes desktop mode improvements, details about Face Unlock only working when the Pixel Fold is folded, lockscreen notes, and a possible new feature called "dual_shade" for the notification shad

1 March 2023: Pixel Fold could be revealed soon, shows up at the FCC

A new Pixel phone is with the FCC for testing, but it's unclear if it's the Pixel Fold or Pixel 7a.

9 March 2023: Pixel Fold in the wild?

One Reddit user also claims to have seen the Pixel Fold in use on the New York Subway, although the images they shared weren't too revealing.

8 March 2023: Google I/O 2023 is set

Google has set a date for the annual Google I/O 2023 conference, where the Pixel Fold could be unveiled.

20 February 2023: Google’s Pixel Fold has a larger battery

A source tells 9to5Google that the Pixel Fold will be quite a heavy device, but will make it up with the largest battery to date in a foldable.

17 January 2023: First physical Google Pixel Fold leak promises a small display crease and more

YouTuber Dave2D published a video taking a look at the Pixel Fold and trying to figure out what it might offer.

3 January 2023: Google Pixel Fold likely pushed to Q4 2023 with smaller displays

According to a report from The Elec, mass production won't kick into gear until the third quarter of 2023 for the Pixel Fold, suggesting that we won't see an official announcement or release until the fourth quarter.

23 December 2022: Leaked roadmap reveals plans for Google Pixel Fold, Pixel 7a, Pixel 8 and beyond

A roadmap - published by Android Authority with information from unnamed sources - suggests that Google will launch the Pixel Fold and the Pixel 7a around April or May 2023, when we expect Google I/O to take place.

8 December 2022: This Google Pixel Fold leak has all the specs and renders you need

Google's expected to launch a foldable phone of its very own next year and a leak has given us a great look at what the Pixel Fold will have to offer.

6 December 2022: Google Pixel Fold allegedly hits GeekBench

While the brand is yet to officially acknowledge the device, it may have already appeared on the popular cross-platform benchmarking database, GeekBench.

11 November 2022: Google Pixel Fold first look

Front Page Tech has leaked images, colors, price, and release date of Google's unannounced Pixel Fold. The colors available are Chalk and Obsidian, with a price of $1,799 and expected release in May 2023. The leak did not reveal other specifications, but sources said to expect the usual Pixel performance and camera treatment.

The Pixel Fold is also said to be really heavy.

14 November 2022: This is Google's Pixel Fold ... probably

Leaker Jon Prosser claims to have seen photos of the device, with renders created to help protect his source.

17 October 2022: Pixel Fold display leak offers more bendy phone info

A new leak might have just given us our clearest information yet as to what the Pixel Fold's displays will offer come an expected Q1 2023 launch.

14 October 2022: Google Pixel Fold display specifications revealed

Google Pixel Fold's display specifications have been leaked. The phone will feature Samsung-made displays both internally and externally, with a resolution of 1840x2208, and a peak brightness of 1200 nits. The internal folding screen will support a high refresh rate up to 120Hz. The Pixel Fold is expected to launch in March 2023 and will feature a triple rear camera system.

7 October 2022: Google's foldable Pixel now rumoured for a Q1 2023 release

The rumoured foldable Google Pixel phone could arrive in the first three months of 2023, according to a tweet by analyst Ross Young.

12 September 2022: Pixel foldable phone details found in Android 13

Android 13, which has started its rollout, reveals details of Google's planned folding smartphone

26 August 2022: Patent reveals Galaxy Fold-like design

A patent - first filed in 2021 - reveals how Google was intending to design the hinge and incorporate a selfie camera into the bezel of its folding screen.

26 May 2022: Google folding Pixel delayed, again

The Elec reported that people familiar with the matter have claimed the folding Pixel phone has been postponed again as Google not happy yet.

4 May 2022: Google's foldable phone will have similar internal display size to Z Fold 4

Ross Young claims the folding Pixel will have around the same internal display as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4, but a smaller cover display.

15 February 2022: Is Google's folding Pixel back on track for a 2022 launch?

Ross Young tweeted claiming the folding Pixel display panel was due to go into production in Q3 of 2022 for a launch in Q4 of 2022. He then claimed in the replies to the tweet that it would likely be an October launch and the display will be smaller than that of the Galaxy Z Fold 3.

17 January 2021: Google's upcoming foldable phone is expected to be called the Pixel Notepad

A source told 9to5Google that the upcoming device will be called the Pixel Notepad and that it is expected to cost less than the Galaxy Z Fold 3.

7 January 2021: Google's folding Pipit phone reportedly passes through Geekbench, leaving a trail of specs to consider

A phone has passed through Geekbench claiming to be the Pipit, the reported codename for Google's folding phone.

16 November 2021: Is the Google Pixel Fold cancelled?

It's claimed that Google decided not to launch the folding phone because of strong market competition.

5 November 2021: Google's foldable Pixel expected 2022, with Pixel 5 main camera

Google is rumoured to be working on a foldable Pixel smartphone called Pipit and a report from 9to5Google claims it will be arriving in 2022 and feature the Pixel 5's main camera.

5 October 2021: Will this be what the foldable Pixel phone looks like?

Taking Google's Pixel 6 as inspiration, some creative types have envisioned what a folding Pixel might look like.

20 September 2021: Google's folding phone, codename Passport, still on track for 2021 launch

Reliable leaker Evan Blass claimed that a trusted source has confirmed that the Passport - Google's folding Pixel - will launch in 2021.

20 September 2021: Potential foldable Pixel codenamed Jumbojack pops up in code

A report from 9to5Google references a device codenamed Jumbojack which appeared in details for future Android versions, suggesting Google could be working on a second foldable device.

19 August 2021: The foldable Pixel is probably going to be delayed after all

A new report indicates that Google will most likely be pushing the release date of its folding Pixel until sometime in 2022.

The leaker does state that this doesn't rule out the possibility of Google at least previewing the phone during the official Pixel 6 series reveal in October, however.

13 August 2021: Google looks to surprise with foldable Pixel phone launching this year

Perhaps the most damning evidence to corroborate the existence of the Pixel Fold comes from directly within Android 12, as references within the code seem to mention a device with a codename dubbed "Passport", something many in the Google community believe to be a moniker for a foldable Pixel.

19 July 2021: Major leak claims Samsung 120Hz LTPO display will drive most 2021 foldable phones

Ross Young, AKA @DSCCRoss, claimed that the foldable from Google would feature a LTPO 120Hz refresh rate display from Samsung Display.

9 June 2021: Google Pixel foldable to use Samsung display tech and start production in October

Samsung Display is reportedly working with Google to supply its ultra-thin glass (UTG) and flexible OLED panel for a forthcoming foldable Pixel phone.

It is said that the parts will enter production in October 2021, and be supplied to Google fully constructed for a possible phone launch by the end of the year.

25 February 2021: Twitter leaker claims Pixel fold is real

Jon Prosser has added his ¢2, claiming the folding Pixel is real.

23 February 2021: Google could launch a folding Pixel in 2021

Sources talking to The Elec in Korea claim that Samsung Display will be supplying Google with a 7.6-inch folding panel for a future product

10 December 2020: Twitter source reveals H2 2021 folding phone from Google

Ross Young from DSCC mentioned a folding phone from Google due in the second half of 2021.

5 August 2020: Leaked Android documents suggest foldable Pixel

Documents unearthed by 9to5Google reveal a device called Passport, said to be a foldable, set to launch in Q4 2021.

7 May 2019: Google is working on a folding Pixel

Mario Queiroz, former VP of product management at Google, commented to CNET that Google was "prototyping the technology" when talking about folding phones.