long whispered, often on the run, and finally presented. Google had managed to keep the mystery about the existence of a folding smartphone in its range, the Californian giant lifted the veil last week in order to better prepare its conference with a distinguished guest. Taking advantage of the “4th of May” (special day for Star Wars fans) on May 4th, the company presented its future jewel with the message “May the Fold be with you”.
And, on Wednesday, with all eyes on him, Rick Osterloh, head of the products and services division, took advantage of Google I/O, the annual meeting of Android developers, to present the protagonist of the day. Between the Pixel 7a, the Pixel Tablet and many others, you had to push yourself on the stage of the Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View (California) to stand out.
Much like Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold, the Pixel Fold also has a screen that folds or unfolds in half horizontally to save space inside. We thus go from a 5.8-inch Oled FHD+ 120 Hz external screen to a large 7.6-inch internal screen, the latter with quite marked edges compared to the competition.
Everything is articulated by an internal hinge, promised durable to withstand many openings and closings. But it has no effect on the slab and the fold is visually very discreet.
Always a sensitive point with smartphones with a large folding screen: the adaptation of applications. Powered by the in-house Tensor G2 chip and Android 13, Google claims that around fifty Google apps are compatible with its first foldable smartphone. And to mention the main partner apps (Deezer, Spotify, Canva, Disney+, Adobe, TikTok, eBay, Zoom, Netflix, etc.), but also games like Diablo Immortal, Clash of Clans, LEGO EITHER Minecraft.
It is even possible to put the Pixel Fold in “Tabletop” mode, that is, make it autonomous by folding it 90° without holding it to use it by showing an application on top and a keyboard on the bottom. , while making video calls.
The two screens (internal and external) can also be used simultaneously to, for example, write a sentence on one side and see the translation in another language appear on the other, take photos and allow the photographed subject to see a preview of what delivered too.
Google’s smartphone is the thinnest when open (6mm and 12mm folded). Its photographic module in the back is not shown as discreet. The company led by Sundar Pichai has equipped the Pixel Fold with a triple camera module on the back with a 48 Mpix main sensor, an ultra-wide angle and a 5x zoom telephoto lens.
Everything is carried in a light or dark aluminum frame, depending on whether you opt for the smartphone in black or white. Once open, there’s also a 48MP sensor that’s also used for taking selfies when unfolding the smartphone, as well as a fifth sensor on the outer slab in the center punch that’s also used for facial recognition and unlocking the device.
Unsurprisingly, the Pixel Fold will rely heavily on its chip’s AI to deliver computational photography that will catch up with all your little bugs and beautify the rendering (eraser to erase annoying elements, photo tint correction , exposure, blur…).
The Pixel Fold is IPX8 certified to resist water. Google announces an autonomy that easily exceeds the day of use. As for storage, the smartphone is offered in either 256 or 512 GB.
The Pixel Fold is coming very soon, but not for everyone. Google is targeting it at the US, UK, Japanese and German markets. France is not yet in the crosshairs, as it is not considered “ripe” for foldable smartphones of this type. It must be said that the price is enough to make you dizzy: the Pixel Fold will be sold at 1899 euros. No specific availability has been given, but it should be soon.
Source: BFM TV
