That is the canceled Pixel Fold that wasn’t ok for Google

The Google Pixel Fold launched comparatively late in comparison with first-gen foldables from different producers. By the point it was lastly launched in mid-2023, Samsung had simply launched the fifth iteration of its book-style tackle the foldable cellphone (and debuted a re-assessment with the extra common Galaxy Z Flip sequence), and several other different corporations had additionally made their debuts. This case might’ve been vastly completely different, although — Google really had one other prototype prepared a 12 months earlier than the unique Pixel Fold however determined to scrap it as a result of it wasn’t “ok,” as revealed by Google’s head of design for {hardware} merchandise, Ivy Ross, in a 2023 episode of the Made by Google podcast.

Whereas the existence of this canceled smartphone is a fairly well-known truth, we’ve by no means really seen it in photographs or discovered the total specs, however that adjustments at this time. Pictures of what gave the impression to be a thriller Pixel Fold-like gadget first emerged in a quiet XDA discussion board thread (the unique photographs at the moment are gone, sadly, however we’ve bought copies), prompting muted hypothesis it was both a faux or an early prototype. Because of an nameless supply inside Google, Android Authority can affirm that that is really our first have a look at the canceled Pixel foldable codename “pipit” and its specs.

Earlier than we begin, it’s value mentioning that the units codenamed “pipit” and “passport,” each rumored to have been canceled Pixel foldables, are literally the identical gadget. Whereas they have been completely different initiatives in some unspecified time in the future, they finally converged right into a single gadget that continued to be referred to as “pipit.”

The canceled Pixel Fold has an eerily acquainted look; the one characteristic clearly distinguishing it from the ultimate model is a (principally) seamless glass bar working all through the complete width of the gadget, intently resembling a Pixel 6. The launched Pixel Fold has a smaller digicam island manufactured from polished metallic, matching the look of the Pixel 7 Professional.

Aside from that, the shape issue has not modified a lot. The bizarre side ratio is similar, the body and the hinge look about the identical, and even the matte again glass was already there (the carbon texture on the highest of the gadget is solely a pores and skin added on by the vendor).

(We apologize for the picture high quality of the photographs beneath. That is the very best we’ve managed to salvage from the deleted photographs within the thread.)

Sadly, the unit being mentioned within the thread has a damaged internal display screen, so we are able to’t evaluate it to the first-generation Pixel Fold. Nonetheless, it’s honest to imagine it regarded related, if not an identical.

Unremarkable specs

If “pipit” have been to be launched, it will’ve come just a few months after the Pixel 6 sequence, so clearly, its specs are a technology behind in comparison with the first-gen Pixel Fold, which constructed on the essential configuration of the Pixel 7. As a substitute of a Tensor G2 with Exynos Modem 5300, the gadget got here with the first-generation Tensor and Exynos Modem 5123, which was notable for what number of points it had.

Equally, the gadget had an older digicam setup. Whereas the first-gen Pixel Fold extra intently resembled a Pixel 7a with its upgraded cameras, “pipit” had a a lot older setup with a moderately historical Sony IMX363, which debuted on the Pixel 3 again in 2018! The opposite sensors are equally downgraded, and the telephoto lens is totally absent. I’ve put collectively a comparability of digicam specs beneath.

One other space the place “pipit” differed from the launched Pixel Fold was the outer show. The gadget had an ever-so-slightly smaller show at 66 x 128mm in comparison with 67 x 130mm on the Pixel Fold. The decision additionally differed barely at 1,080 x 2,100 pixels in comparison with 1,080 x 2,092.

One factor that surprisingly remained the identical, nonetheless, is the internal show — it remained a very unchanged panel. What’s fascinating, nonetheless, is that Google has developed a prototype model of the gadget with assist for stylus enter. Whereas it appears the concept was finally scrapped — the final prototype together with this idea was “PIPIT EVT 1.0 Stylus,” whereas the opposite variations of the gadget made it via to the a lot later DVT stage — it’s nonetheless fascinating to see Google was exploring one thing like this.

Whereas the Pixel Fold that ended up on retailer cabinets is an improve over “pipit,” it appears moderately incremental, which raises a query: What went fallacious? Why was “pipit” not ok?

In fact, that is purely hypothesis, however we are able to make a very good guess by trying on the wider context during which it will’ve been launched. “Pipit” would’ve been introduced at Google I/O 2022, proper with the canceled Pixel Pill with first-gen Tensor (codename “tangor”; the gadget that ended up delivery is “tangorpro”) and the Pixel 6a. This could even have made it one of many first units to run Google’s giant screen-optimized model of Android — 12L. It actually couldn’t have been a greater match, so why didn’t it occur?

The launch of the Pixel 6 sequence was a multitude. A great a part of that was the buggy launch of Android 12. Whereas the discharge of Android 12L fastened some issues, it was nonetheless nowhere near being steady. Not solely that however quite a lot of the options have been additionally postponed, making 12L lower than what it was speculated to be.

It’s possible Google determined to push each its pill and foldable a 12 months again to verify the software program was prepared and tweak the {hardware} the place obligatory. What ended up delivery was nonetheless on no account excellent, but it surely’s possible higher than what we might’ve seen if Google had gone ahead with “pipit.”

Even canceled, “pipit” was a type of success: our sources inform us that quite a lot of Googlers used prototype models as their each day units, and the first-gen Pixel Fold undoubtedly constructed upon the {hardware} and software program created for the canceled prototype. Hopefully the upcoming Pixel 9 Professional Fold will proceed this generational enchancment.