A report from Digital Supply Chain Consultants claims that Google has confirmed to multiple supply chain sources that the company will not be going ahead with its plans to go ahead with a Pixel Fold device this year. It is not yet known whether the plans have been shelved indefinitely, or cancelled altogether.
The report states that Google did not think its device would be competitive in the foldable devices market, which is still niche section primarily in the US and Europe.
Google would have to compete with Samsung, who are well established in this market. Google did not think it would be able to introduce a phone that is priced lower than Samsung’s offerings, given the chip shortage that is currently underway.
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The Pixel Fold device was expected to be the same size as the Galaxy Z Fold 3, with an LTPO variable refresh rate display up to 120Hz. The cameras on the device were not expected to be as high-grade as the recently-launched Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro smartphones.
Rather, the Pixel Fold was expected to use IMX363 12.2MP main sensor, used in the Pixel 3, along with an IMX386 12MP ultra-wide camera. There were also two 8MP IMX355 sensors, which would likely have been used as the selfie camera on the inner and outer display.