It is known that Google is preparing to take its place in the foldable smartphone market with the ‘Pixel Fold’. After the introduction of the Android 12L operating system, which was developed specifically for large-screen and foldable devices, the eyes were turned to Pixel Fold. It was estimated that this phone could debut in March 2022 along with Android 12L.
However, it turned out that Google shelved the foldable phone project. According to Ross Young of the Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC) team, obtained from supply chain sources, the US company has canceled orders for the hardware parts necessary to manufacture the Pixel Fold.
Pixel Fold wouldn’t be competitive, according to Google
According to the news of Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC), Google did not believe that the Pixel Fold model could compete with strong competitors such as the Samsung Galaxy Z series. He thought the phone had no chance against Samsung. Worried about whether it could be competitive with the Pixel Fold, the company ultimately decided to cancel it.
Samsung dominates the foldable smartphone market. Chinese rival Huawei is also in the market with its Mate X series; but while Huawei has been silent for a long time, Samsung has moved on to the third generation. To compete with Samsung, Google needed to offer a solid alternative that was much cheaper and more appealing. It has been claimed that he has not yet found a method to achieve this.
The Google Pixel Fold model was expected to be the same size as the Galaxy Z Fold 3 with LTPO display technology and to offer a variable refresh rate up to 120Hz. The biggest difference with the Z Fold 3; It didn’t support the under-screen camera.
There were also rumors that the cameras would not be cutting edge. It was claimed that the camera system to be used in the Pixel Fold model would be lower than the Pixel 6 series. Naturally, this would put the phone in trouble against the Galaxy Z Flip 3.
Of course, Google’s cancellation of the Pixel Fold does not mean that it has given up on the foldable phone. Perhaps we can hear rumors that the company is preparing to introduce a more competitive model next year.