It is form of exhausting to consider that Google determined to stay with the foldable type issue for greater than only a yr. Particularly after seeing how the Pixel Fold fell wanting just about each different foldable cellphone in 2023.
Fortunately, a few of that appears to be rectified because the Pixel 9 Professional Fold adopts a way more fashionable design. It additionally helps that Google’s newest foldable shares the identical chipset as the remainder of the Pixel 9, that means that it will not miss out on options just like the Pixel Fold did when the Pixel 8 launched.
That being stated, we’re at all times occupied with what may come subsequent, and that development continues with the discharge of a possible Pixel 10 Professional Fold.
Google Pixel 10 Professional Fold: Launch date
Plainly Google wanted a yr to get its cellphone lineup correctly aligned. Historically, the most recent Pixel telephones have been introduced in September earlier than being launched someday in October. Nevertheless, the Pixel Fold arrived in June 2023, simply 4 months earlier than the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional made their solution to the market.
In 2024, Google opted for a unique strategy, because the Pixel 9 Professional Fold was introduced alongside the three different gadgets within the Pixel 9 lineup. Nevertheless, the one distinction this time is that Google determined to proceed with a staggered launch, with the Pixel 9 and 9 Professional XL coming first, with the 9 Professional and 9 Professional Fold being launched in early September.
Supplied that that is the “new norm” for Google, this might set the Pixel 10 Professional Fold to be launched in early September of 2025. Nevertheless, we additionally would not be shocked if the Pixel 10 lineup is pushed again into October.
Google Pixel 10 Professional Fold: Specs
Seeing as we’re simply now getting the Pixel 9 Professional Fold, there’s actually not a lot to go on relating to specs for its successor. Nevertheless, we have now already seen fairly just a few leaks and rumors in the case of Google’s Tensor G5 chip.
Going from the Tensor G3 to the G4 wasn’t precisely the generational leap we’d have hoped for. Google put extra of a spotlight in enhancing the AI efficiency, which is smart given the enhancements made to Gemini. If the rumors are to be believed, the Tensor G5 is shaping as much as be extra performant, and thrilling.
For one, rumors recommend that Google might be counting on TSMC, as an alternative of Samsung, for manufacturing of the G5. This may come as a shock on condition that Google and Samsung co-developed the Tensor platform.
One of many major complaints about Google’s Tensor processors has been associated to overheating whereas nonetheless lagging behind the likes of Apple and Qualcomm. TSMC seemingly has managed to offer some reduction right here, because the Tensor G5 is rumored to make use of TSMC’s 3nm course of.
Together with offering higher efficiency and effectivity, it will additionally put Google in keeping with Apple’s A17 Professional SoC. Apple was the primary to utilize a 3nm cellphone processor, whereas Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 remains to be made on the 4nm course of.
Google Pixel 10 Professional Fold: Wishlist
From a design standpoint, Google launched fairly a dramatic change with the Pixel 9 Professional Fold in comparison with the unique Pixel Fold. It is now extra in keeping with most of the finest foldable telephones, ditching the passport-like design in favor of one thing that appears extra fashionable. That being stated, the Pixel 9 Professional Fold nonetheless falls brief in just a few areas, so let’s check out just a few issues we might prefer to see within the Pixel 10 Professional Fold.
Cameras worthy of the value tag
Whenever you pay greater than $1,000 for a smartphone, you’ll count on it to supply a no-compromise flagship expertise. Nevertheless, foldable telephones launched in North America typically fall fairly a bit wanting their slab counterparts. We’re prepared to offer Google a little bit of leeway right here, as the corporate’s machine studying helps to provide beautiful pictures from outdated digicam {hardware}.
Even with that in thoughts, we’re not precisely speaking in regards to the days of the Pixel 4 and 4 XL. The Pixel 9 Professional Fold begins at $1,799 however does not supply the identical degree of high quality supplied by the Pixel 9 Professional and 9 Professional XL, two telephones which are a lot inexpensive.
Google prioritized the design over the cameras with the Pixel 9 Professional Fold, as the corporate targeted on a thinner cellphone than the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and OnePlus Open. At a naked minimal, we might hope that the Pixel 10 Professional Fold gives the identical cameras because the Pixel 10 Professional, if not higher.
Stylus assist
It took Samsung three generations to implement stylus assist with its foldable cellphone. We have been quietly hoping that Google’s second try would deliver stylus assist, however that might’ve doubtless resulted in a thicker system as a result of further display screen layer required.
So long as Google sticks to the book-style foldable, we’d love for the flexibility to write down down notes. It is grow to be a little bit of an missed characteristic of the Galaxy Z Fold collection, however having this functionality cannot be understated if you want (or need) it.
PWM-friendly screens
You in all probability may have guessed that this part can be right here, as it appears that evidently most firms apart from Honor do not actually care about PWM charges. Nevertheless, it is moderately unlucky that these firms are unwilling to cater to all potential clients.
Though it is estimated that about 10% of persons are affected by show flickering and PWM charges, that is nonetheless no excuse for these to really feel as if they’re being ignored. Nick Sutrich, Android Central Senior Content material Producer, has been affected by these issues for greater than a yr. Due to that cause, he is unable to benefit from the spoils of utilizing a plethora of gadgets.
Maybe it is time for Google to take a web page out of Honor’s playbook, implementing shows just like the Honor 200 Professional that supply PWM-friendly shows. In any other case, it is both choosing a unique cellphone fully or being relegated to rooting the cellphone, supplied {that a} appropriate kernel is on the market that means that you can manually alter the PWM ranges.
Is it time for a Pixel Flip?
With two iterations of foldable telephones beneath its belt, it is perhaps time for Google to increase its lineup of Pixel telephones even additional. E book-style foldables just like the Galaxy Z Fold, OnePlus Open, and Pixel 9 Professional Fold are arguably extra versatile, however gross sales numbers recommend foldable flip telephones are extra fashionable.
Not everybody wants or needs a cellphone that doubles as a foldable pill of their bag or pocket. As a substitute, there are a lot of preferring having a slab cellphone that folds in half. That is very true as firms like Samsung, Motorola, and others work out other ways to enhance the usability of the outer cowl display screen.
Google introducing a Pixel Flip would assist to squash any potential issues in regards to the firm being dedicated to the foldable area. Whereas on the identical, offering one other choice to compete with the likes of Samsung and Motorola. We simply hope {that a} potential Pixel Flip would not imply the tip of the Pixel Fold.