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Google Pixel Foldable: More like an Oppo Find N than a Samsung Galaxy Fold?

Dominik Bärlocher
13.1.2022
Translation: machine translated

The beta of Android for large screens, Android 12L, reveals something new about the Google Pixel Foldable. The development name of the device appears in the code and animations could reveal the shape.

The guesswork about a foldable from Google continues. The tech giant is still keeping a low profile with official information, but there are many indications that the company is working on a foldable smartphone. The latest rumor is that the folded Google Pixel Fold will resemble the Oppo Find N and not the Samsung Galaxy Fold.

Das Oppo Find N und das Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 im Verhältnis
Das Oppo Find N und das Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 im Verhältnis

According to this, the folded Pixel Fold will be smaller than the smartphones that are currently considered "small" in the non-foldable market. The Oppo Find N measures 5.49 inches diagonally when folded, which is 13.94 centimeters. At least that is what the industry magazine 9to5Google reports.

Android code reveals name, animations the shape

The derivation of the rumor is exciting. The information comes from the second beta of Android 12L. The Android distribution is supposed to optimize Android for large displays and not just enlarge everything you see on the phone screen.

In Android 12 L Beta 2, new animations exist in the setup dialog that show how a SIM card can be inserted. "Big screen + SIM card" automatically leads to the thought "big smartphone" and then to "Foldable". Especially because the code uses the assumed codename of the Google Foldable: "Pipit".

Would Google simply build an operating system for foldable phones if nothing came of it? Even if there are rumors circulating that the order for the components has been canceled?

The SIM insertion animation shows a foldable that imitates the shape of a traditional smartphone in terms of format and does not rely on an extreme aspect ratio like the Samsung Galaxy Fold. In addition, there is supposed to be a large volume control on the left side.

Die Animation im Code des Android 12Ls soll das Pixel Foldable zeigen.
Die Animation im Code des Android 12Ls soll das Pixel Foldable zeigen.
Source: 9to5Google

A second animation shows the SIM card being inserted into the same device, but when it is unfolded.

Aufgeklappt soll der SIM-Karten-Slot da sein, wo er beim Oppo Find N ist.
Aufgeklappt soll der SIM-Karten-Slot da sein, wo er beim Oppo Find N ist.
Source: 9to5Google

9to5Google even goes a step further and makes an announcement about the size of the inner display. If the measurements and calculations of journalists Kyle Bradshaw and Dylan Roussel are correct, then the Google Pixel Fold will have an inner display with a diagonal of 7.6 inches.

Camera downgrade, but Tensor instead?

Kyle Bradshaw is not satisfied with the assumption about the form factor alone. He observes the development of the Fold very closely. He also thinks he knows that the Pixel Fold - which might not even be called that - will be equipped with Google's own Tensor chip.

Hopefully, that will be enough to offset the suspected camera downgrade with strong camera AI.

Finally, Kyle believes he knows that the Google Pixable Fold will hit the market in 2022.

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Journalist. Author. Hacker. A storyteller searching for boundaries, secrets and taboos – putting the world to paper. Not because I can but because I can’t not.


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