Quick Links
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 onpre-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.
Google Pixel Fold
The Pixel Fold takes Google’s phones in a new direction, embracing the next-gen screen tech and presenting a premium Pixel option. It’s a great quality phone, but it’s clear there’s still work to be done on app optimisation to enhance the experience.
Google Pixel Fold design
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 onthe 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, withthe Huawei Mate X3being just 5.3mm thick - and 11.08mm when folded, about a millimetre thinner than the Pixel Fold. However, the Pixel Fold is slimmer thanSamsung’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 hasan 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’re able to 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
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 hardware specs
The Pixel Fold is powered by Tensor G2. That’s Google’s in-house hardware found in the Pixel 7, which you canread 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 supportGoogle’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.
Pixel Fold cameras
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 likeNight Sight,Magic Eraserand more.
Pixel Fold software
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.
21 June 2025: Google officially shows off the Pixel Fold and doesn’t it look slim?
25 June 2025: Here’s the Google Pixel Fold and don’t let those bezels put you off
Is this ourbest lookat the Google Pixel Fold yet?
23 August 2025: 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 leasta silver liningto this cloud.
06 June 2025: Google Pixel Fold tipped for mysterious display upgrade over Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 5
Google could be about to usean upgraded displayin its much-rumoured Pixel Fold.
10 July 2025: 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.
23 August 2025: Google Pixel Fold tipped for June launch along with pricing
According toWinFutureand9to5Google, the listings have revealed the foldable device’s price, color options, and expected launch window.
10 July 2025: 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 previewincludes 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
22 August 2025: Pixel Fold could be revealed soon, shows up at the FCC
A newPixel phone is with the FCCfor testing, but it’s unclear if it’s the Pixel Fold or Pixel 7a.
01 June 2025: Pixel Fold in the wild?
One Reddit user also claims to haveseen the Pixel Fold in use on the New York Subway, although the images they shared weren’t too revealing.
03 August 2025: Google I/O 2023 is set
Google has set a date for the annualGoogle I/O 2023conference, where the Pixel Fold could be unveiled.
08 June 2025: Google’s Pixel Fold has a larger battery
A source tells9to5Googlethat the Pixel Fold will be quite a heavy device, but will make it up with the largest battery to date in a foldable.
04 July 2025: First physical Google Pixel Fold leak promises a small display crease and more
YouTuber Dave2D publisheda video taking a look at the Pixel Fold and trying to figure out what it might offer.
09 June 2025: 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.
09 August 2025: 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.
17 August 2025: 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 anda leakhas given us a great look at what the Pixel Fold will have to offer.
22 June 2025: Google Pixel Fold allegedly hits GeekBench
While the brand is yet to officially acknowledge the device, it may have alreadyappeared on the popular cross-platform benchmarking database, GeekBench.
01 June 2025: Google Pixel Fold first look
Front Page Techhas 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.
12 August 2025: This is Google’s Pixel Fold … probably
Leaker Jon Prosser claims to have seen photos of the device, withrenders createdto help protect his source.
02 June 2025: Pixel Fold display leak offers more bendy phone info
Anew leakmight have just given us our clearest information yet as to what the Pixel Fold’s displays will offer come an expected Q1 2023 launch.
29 June 2025: Google Pixel Fold display specifications revealed
Google Pixel Fold’s display specificationshave 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.
25 August 2025: Google’s foldable Pixel now rumoured for a Q1 2023 release
The rumoured foldable Google Pixel phonecould arrive in the first three months of 2023, according to a tweet by analyst Ross Young.
16 July 2025: Pixel foldable phone details found in Android 13
Android 13, which has started its rollout,reveals detailsof Google’s planned folding smartphone
23 August 2025: Patent reveals Galaxy Fold-like design
A patent - first filed in 2021 - reveals how Google wasintending to designthe hinge and incorporate a selfie camera into the bezel of its folding screen.
05 August 2025: Google folding Pixel delayed, again
The Elec reportedthat people familiar with the matter have claimed the folding Pixel phone has been postponed again as Google not happy yet.
23 July 2025: Google’s foldable phone will have similar internal display size to Z Fold 4
Ross Young claimsthe folding Pixel will have around the same internal display as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4, but a smaller cover display.
31 May 2025: Is Google’s folding Pixel back on track for a 2022 launch?
Ross Young tweetedclaiming 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.
22 June 2025: Google’s upcoming foldable phone is expected to be called the Pixel Notepad
A source told9to5Googlethat the upcoming device will be called thePixel Notepadand that it is expected to cost less than the Galaxy Z Fold 3.
17 July 2025: Google’s folding Pipit phone reportedly passes through Geekbench, leaving a trail of specs to consider
A phone has passed through Geekbenchclaiming to be the Pipit, the reported codename for Google’s folding phone.
23 July 2025: Is the Google Pixel Fold cancelled?
It’sclaimedthat Google decided not to launch the folding phone because of strong market competition.
04 August 2025: Google’s foldable Pixel expected 2022, with Pixel 5 main camera
Google is rumoured to be working on a foldable Pixel smartphone called Pipit anda report from 9to5Googleclaims it will be arriving in 2022 and feature the Pixel 5’s main camera.
28 June 2025: Will this be what the foldable Pixel phone looks like?
Taking Google’s Pixel 6 as inspiration, some creative types haveenvisioned what a folding Pixel might look like.
29 July 2025: Google’s folding phone, codename Passport, still on track for 2021 launch
Reliable leaker Evan Blass claimedthat a trusted source has confirmed that the Passport - Google’s folding Pixel - will launch in 2021.
07 July 2025: Potential foldable Pixel codenamed Jumbojack pops up in code
A report from 9to5Googlereferences a device codenamed Jumbojack which appeared in details for future Android versions, suggesting Google could be working on a second foldable device.
27 July 2025: The foldable Pixel is probably going to be delayed after all
A new report indicatesthat 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.
24 June 2025: 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 fromdirectly 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.
08 July 2025: Major leak claims Samsung 120Hz LTPO display will drive most 2021 foldable phones
Ross Young, AKA @DSCCRoss, claimedthat the foldable from Google would feature a LTPO120Hz refresh rate displayfrom Samsung Display.
31 May 2025: Google Pixel foldable to use Samsung display tech and start production in October
Samsung Display is reportedly working with Googleto 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.
20 August 2025: Twitter leaker claims Pixel fold is real
Jon Prosser has added his ¢2, claiming the folding Pixel is real.
06 July 2025: Google could launch a folding Pixel in 2021
Sourcestalking to The Elec in Koreaclaim that Samsung Display will be supplying Google with a 7.6-inch folding panel for a future product
03 June 2025: 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.
10 July 2025: Leaked Android documents suggest foldable Pixel
Documentsunearthed by 9to5Googlereveal a device called Passport, said to be a foldable, set to launch in Q4 2021.
20 June 2025: Google is working on a folding Pixel
Mario Queiroz, former VP of product management at Google,commented to CNETthat Google was “prototyping the technology” when talking about folding phones.
