During the Google I/O conference in Mountain View, California, Google made its entry into the foldable smartphone market with the launch of the Pixel Fold. Priced at $1,799, the device is now available for pre-order and will start shipping next month. Initially, the Pixel Fold will be released in Germany, Japan, the UK, and the US, with plans to expand to other markets in the future.
The Pixel Fold features Google’s Tensor G2 chip and offers a compact smartphone design when folded, but opens up to reveal a 19cm-wide screen. The company focused on maintaining both form and function, ensuring that the camera, battery, speakers, and haptic technology were all optimized for the thin design. The custom-built hinge not only contributes to the device’s slimness but also enhances its durability.
When closed, users can perform various tasks on the external display, such as responding to messages and browsing the internet. Once opened, the larger screen provides a tablet-like experience. The Pixel Fold boasts AI-powered camera features, including super-resolution zoom, real tone, night sight, and portrait photography. The exterior screen serves as a viewfinder, and the device’s 48-megapixel main camera enables clear selfies.
Foldable smartphones have gained attention in a smartphone market that experienced an overall decline of more than 11% in 2022, according to the International Data Corporation (IDC). The IDC predicts that foldable phone shipments will exceed 21.4 million units this year, representing a year-on-year increase of over 50%. By 2027, foldable phone shipments are projected to reach 48.1 million units, with a compound annual growth rate of 27.6% from 2022 to 2027.
The IDC expects the average selling prices of foldable phones to decrease, making them more accessible to a broader range of customers. This price decline, along with new vendors and models entering the market, is anticipated to drive significant growth in the foldable device market, making it a notable bright spot in 2023 with a projected growth rate of 50.5%, while the overall smartphone market is expected to contract by 1.1%.
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