9to5Google
By Andrew Romero & Kyle Bradshaw
Over the course of the past year, we've tracked the development of Google's first foldable phone. In that time, it's gone through a couple of different names: "Passport" and "Pipit." For simplicity's sake, we'll refer to it as the "Google Pixel Fold."
We've been able to dig up a couple of things already. First, the Fold will use the same Google Tensor chip found in the Pixel 6 series. Second, it may have a downgraded camera in comparison to that same line. Even though initial reports had indicated the Pixel Fold was canceled, we have good reason to believe the project is still very much alive.
With the release of the large-screen focused Android 12L Beta 2, our APK insight team was able to uncover a couple more interesting details about the very-much-alive Pixel Fold. Internally, there are a couple of animations of what we believe to be the Pixel Fold hidden in the Android 12L Beta 2. These animations depict a SIM card tutorial, as well as an indication the Pixel Fold will support eSIM.
As a disclaimer, these are animations in a pre-release version of Android. This means that anything depicted in these animations is absolutely subject to change before the official release of the Pixel Fold. That being said, let's dive in.
The first animation shows a somewhat stout folded device with a volume rocker on the right side. On the left is the hinge whereas the SIM tray is mounted at the bottom of the device. We believe this to be the Pixel Fold's smaller, outer display.
The second animation depicts the same device in its unfolded state. This means that the SIM card tray is located on the same half as the outer display, still in the center. This is oddly reminiscent of the Oppo Find N.
In fact, everything about it feels very similar to the Oppo Find N. This includes the sizing in general of the device. Whereas it was thought the Pixel Fold would house a design similar to the Galaxy Fold in size and shape with a 22.5:18 aspect ratio, the Pixel Fold seems to abide by similar dimensions of the Oppo Find N coming in at an 8.4:9 aspect ratio.
Our team carefully measured and figured the Pixel Fold's aspect ratio to be roughly 7:8. From what we can tell in these animations, the Pixel Fold would house a shorter and wider overall design, much like the Oppo Find N, which may not be such a bad thing since the Find N found a home with a lot of apps that immediately recognized it's size and scaled appropriately. If you want to stay up to date with all of the latest Google news, head over to 9to5Google using the link below. The Pixel Fold is drawing ever nearer, so stay in the loop.