I’ve been monitoring Pixel Fold leaks since earlier than Google first “delayed” the long-rumored foldable in late 2021, watching as leakers known as it a Galaxy Z Fold 3 clone, then a Z Fold 4 twin, and now an Oppo Find N lookalike. At the second, leaked proof factors to a thick, squarish foldable with Google’s signature Pixel digicam bar and Tensor {hardware}. In principle, it is a recipe for fulfillment.Generally talking, we’re huge Pixel followers on the Android Central workforce. I actually like my Pixel 6 and am fairly jealous of my Pixel 7 Pro-owning colleagues. The thought of getting Google’s foldable take is an interesting one.”So what’s the problem?” you would possibly ask. In reality, once you take an entire take a look at the Pixel Fold’s manufacturing course of, {hardware}, and worth, I’d argue there’s purpose to be involved. And I’m beginning to marvel if we should always hope for yet one more Pixel Fold delay, to make 100% certain it is able to go.What we “know” concerning the Pixel Fold(Image credit score: Frontpagetech)You can learn our full Pixel Fold rumor information for a extra in-depth breakdown of each leak. But stick round right here and I’ll break down the core (unconfirmed) particulars you need to know:The Pixel Fold will both launch this spring round Google I/O 2023 or this fall alongside the Pixel 8.Depending on the discharge date, it will both use final yr’s Tensor G2 or this fall’s Tensor G3. Old rumors steered a $1,400 worth, however the latest leak claimed $1,800, the identical because the Galaxy Z Fold 4.It’ll pack 50MP predominant, 12MP UW, and 10MP telephoto lenses, housed in Google’s trademark digicam bar, plus an 8MP “ultra-micro-hole” selfie digicam.Its 7.6-inch show can have a wealthy 1840 × 2208 decision and (possible) 120Hz refresh charge, in addition to noticeable high and backside bezels.While Samsung will manufacture the show, it will be wider and extra sq. formed than the Z Fold 4 — nearer in measurement to the OPPO Find N — and even weigh greater than the 263g Fold 4.All of this might change if Google decides to not launch the Pixel Fold this yr. It could not even name it the Pixel Fold; Pixel Notepad is one other rumored title we have heard. But we’ll function below the idea that Google actually plans to launch it this yr in its present leaked kind.Should it?Samsung would possibly let Google downAnother Pixel Fold mockup of what it may seem like (Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)Earlier this month, complaints surrounding 2021’s Galaxy Z Fold 3 got here to a head. This Digital Trends (opens in new tab) piece outlines the numerous, many situations of the favored foldable cellphone’s show breaking effectively earlier than its 200,000-fold estimate. Cracks and darkish blots seem alongside the crease, slowly increasing till the cellphone wants an costly restore to proceed working. Samsung strengthened the glass on the Z Fold 4, and now we have completely no proof that the Pixel Fold show can have any producer’s failings. But the Z Fold 3 took lower than two years earlier than displaying its metaphorical (and literal) cracks. Foldable followers could hesitate to purchase one other Samsung-made creased show consequently.Samsung will allegedly make the Z Fold 5 creaseless with a waterdrop hinge — and has even developed a show that folds each inwards and outwards — whereas the Pixel Fold’s inward-folding show reveals a crease within the leaked renders we have seen.Google itself does not have the perfect manufacturing observe document. Our Pixel 6 Pro reviewer famous “slight gaps where the glass back meets the camera bar” and “slight raised edges” between the digicam bar and steel edges. More not too long ago, the amount rocker fell off lots of Pixel 7 Pro models, together with two AC workforce members’ Pixels.Add in 9to5Google’s (opens in new tab) newest rumor that the Pixel Fold will weigh greater than the Z Fold 4 to pack in a bigger battery, and it is truthful to side-eye the Pixel Fold design as a possible weak level to its success.Tensor would possibly allow us to down(Image credit score: Google)Then you have got Google Tensor G2, the Samsung LSI-produced chip. When the Pixel 7 Pro launched final yr, we famous that it did not present a lot of a efficiency acquire over the 6 Pro. This did not strictly matter, as a result of the AI increase for its cameras gave us new options like Photo Unblur, and it nonetheless carried out admirably for day-to-day duties. Compared to the overheating Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, it wasn’t a nasty different in any respect.The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 has modified the dialog. It’s considerably sooner for each day by day duties and gaming than any Android chip that has come earlier than it, giving telephones just like the Galaxy S23 and S23 Ultra a very large benchmarking increase. Comparing Future Labs benchmarks for the S23 Ultra and Pixel 7 Pro, the previous crushes the latter with the identical quantity of RAM:Swipe to scroll horizontallyBenchmarkGoogle Pixel 7 ProSamsung Galaxy S23 UltraGeekbench 5 Single-Core10601578Geekbench 5 Multi-Core30465081Crossmark (Overall)89413223DMark Wild Life Original Limitless6725146113DMark Wild Life Extreme Limitless18053788For the Pixel 7 Pro vs. S23 Ultra, this seems like a good struggle as a result of the Pixel 7 Pro prices $300 much less and has some perks like higher motion pictures and sooner updates to lend it credibility. And its efficiency definitely is not unhealthy. The drawback is that the Pixel Fold will both price $1,400 or $1,800, if the rumors are to be believed. And at that worth, something lower than cutting-edge efficiency will flip away the hardcore Android customers keen to spend that a lot. It takes away Google’s typical inexpensive benefit as a result of foldable parts are simply that costly. If the Pixel Fold arrives this spring alongside the Pixel 7a, it is almost 100% assured to make use of the Tensor G2, with all of the drawbacks that entail. If Google does delay it to the autumn, it will use Tensor G3, which WinFuture claims is predicated off of Samsung’s in-house Exynos 2300 processor. That leak solely referenced two Pixel telephones, nevertheless — possible the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro. With Samsung abandoning Exynos for its personal Galaxy telephones, Google counting on an Exynos-spinoff design for the Tensor G3 feels riskier. It should not be as huge of a priority for the inexpensive Pixel 8, however the Pixel Fold and even the 8 Pro may fall behind different 2023 Android flagships in efficiency, sufficient that buyers take be aware.No doubt the Pixel Fold can have spectacular AI energy. But folks do not sometimes purchase foldables for cameras and intangibles. And the truth that the Pixel Fold allegedly bulked up to slot in a giant battery tells us that it possible will not be as environment friendly as this yr’s Galaxy Z Fold 5, which is able to use the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 or Gen 2+.Did Google miss its window, or ought to it wait even longer?(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)Google spent years delaying the Pixel Watch, ready for the fitting second. It did finally show to be a wonderful wearable with a trendy design that we love; nevertheless it additionally needed to follow a years-old Exynos chipset to protect that design, then pack in additional RAM to compensate.With the Pixel Fold, it is not really easy to beat the issues of its older design, as Samsung and different manufacturers proceed to iterate and seek for the perfect foldable kind. If Google delays the Pixel Fold launch date for a sooner Tensor G3 chip, that might make the design look extra dated; but when it rushes it out forward of the Z Fold 5, Android fans would possibly balk on the price-to-performance ratio. Basically, by delaying previous its authentic deliberate launch dates of 2021 and 2022, Google has discovered itself in a little bit of a pickle with its Pixel Fold. I’m unsure whether or not additional delays or speeding it out is the answer, nevertheless it’ll all rely upon whether or not the Tensor G3 can shut the hole — or if Android customers will purchase the Fold with a Tensor G2 chip.