Various reports suggested that Google will launch its first foldable smartphone, the Pixel Fold, in April/May 2023. It will compete with the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and then with the Galaxy Z Fold 5 later this year. Today, we have more specific details on the launch of Google’s first foldable smartphone, thanks to Jon Prosser.
Unlike foldable smartphones from most Chinese brands, the Pixel Fold will be a bigger deal as it will be sold in most major markets, including Europe and the US. So, it could test Samsung's strength.
Google Pixel Fold could be pricier than Galaxy Z Fold 5
According to Jon Prosser, Google will reveal the Pixel Fold on May 10, 2023. That's the same day Google I/O is scheduled to kick off. He claims that the Pixel Fold will be made available for pre-order from Google Store on the same day, whereas it will go on pre-order from partners and carriers on May 30, 2023. The phone will hit shelves almost a month later, on June 27.
In one of the comments, Jon also says that the Pixel Fold will cost $1,799, which is in line with previous reports and higher than what the Galaxy Z Fold 4 costs. It could also be pricier than the Galaxy Z Fold 5.
Apart from Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold series, there have been a few other side-by-side foldable smartphones in the market, such as the Oppo Find N, Vivo Fold X, and Xiaomi Mix Fold. However, foldable phones from Chinese manufacturers haven’t been a real threat to the ones from Samsung. That’s because those devices not only lack the software fineness that the Galaxy Z Fold devices offer, but they are also not available to purchase globally.
Google Pixel Fold will test Samsung's strength in the foldable segment in western markets
Google Pixel Fold, however, will be available to purchase in the American markets, and that’s one of the reasons it will be a real threat to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold smartphones. And, since this is Google we are talking about, which has recently been launching some very polished smartphones, the Pixel Fold might offer the same level of sophistication as Samsung’s foldable devices, making it more of a threat to the Galaxy Z Fold series.
With all that said, we’ll be able to tell if the Pixel Fold is a real threat to the Galaxy Z Fold 4 only once it hits the market. Plus, we need to keep in mind that Galaxy Z Fold 5 is on the way, and it will arrive only a couple of months after the Pixel Fold hits the market. And it will feature a lot more powerful and efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, which should give it a big edge over the Pixel Fold.
