When it comes to Google’s future Pixel foldable smartphone, the company has practically spilled the beans. Since the business began incorporating foldable display characteristics with the latest version of Android and Android development for the near future, this product looked inevitable. However, codes found in the most recent version of the official Google camera app suggest that the device is in development and will be released in 2022.
According to an APK file study by 9to5Google, the latest Google Camera app displays the Pixel foldable smart gadget with a few crucial characteristics ready for delivery next year. First, this device is connected to a pair of cameras that suggest using the same main camera sensor* as the remarkably thin-bodied Google Pixel 5, allowing the entire device to avoid the enormous bump that comes with the Pixel 6.
The Google Pixel 5’s camera system is still more than adequate for most users, especially as Google improves the smart camera software that interacts with the device’s unique collection of cameras and sensors. However, given its arguably more crucial foldable display panel inside – coupled with a pair of front-facing cameras – the Google Pixel foldable is expected to draw attention away from the back-facing camera.
According to the code, the Google Pixel foldable will have two front-facing cameras that are similar. This almost probably means that one will be on the outside when folded closed, and when folded open, another will be on the inside.
The front-facing cameras use the same 8-megapixel IMX355 sensors found on the Google Pixel 6’s front. The Google Pixel 6 Pro has a somewhat more advanced camera. Still, the Pixel 6’s front-facing camera is more than adequate for the ordinary user (as is the case with Pixel device cameras).
*The Google camera app’s Pixel foldable code also indicates a second camera sensor on the device’s back: the Sony IMX386. The Nokia 9 PureView, Huawei Mate 10 Pro, Xiaomi Mi Max 2, and Motorola Moto Z2 Force use this 12MP camera sensor. This is a 6.20 mm (1/2.9′′) RGB/Monochrome camera with 1.25 m size pixels (unit cell size) released around the same time as a very similar IMX sensor incorporated with the first Google Pixel.
It’s very likely that this camera will be utilized as an ultrawide camera, as Sony intended, and that it will be marketed as a “folded” camera. That means the user will take images with the Pixel while it is folded closed, utilizing the non-foldable front display as a viewfinder. It’s almost a guarantee that if Google introduces a Pixel foldable with a camera constraint (folded only), customers will immediately flip their lids, looking for methods to use the camera in both folded and unfolded positions.
The Google Pixel foldable will likely be available in the first half of 2022. Google is currently working on Android 12L, which is slated to be released in March 2022. Take a look at Android 12L and observe the release schedule – work is now underway, with a final public release scheduled in February or March 2022.
Does now seem like a good time for Google to deliver their first Pixel foldable, just in time to take advantage of the software they’ve revealed for a smartphone with a large and folding display? Given what we know about Google’s release timeline and prior Pixel reveal dates, we predict a March 22 reveal, followed by a March 25, 2022 sale date (barring any supply concerns) – we’ll see!
Source: 9to5google
