Google's Pixel Fold could adopt a stubbier design than its main competition

Google released the latest Android 12L beta this week, bringing several UI tweaks to the table. However, one notable tidbit seemingly relates to Google’s foldable phone.

As spotted by 9to5Google, the new beta includes new animations that detail the setup of a foldable phone, including network setup and SIM insertion. Interestingly, they’re similar to the Pixel setup screen you’d see on modern Pixels.

So what can we glean from these moving images, then? The animation depicts a book-like foldable phone with an apparent hinge on the left, an external display alongside, and the SIM tray beneath that. Its right side houses an apparent volume rocker, too.

Google Pixel Fold: A compact foldable?

Another interesting detail is the phone’s apparent physical profile. 9to5Google surmises that they could hint at the Pixel Fold’s overall shape, which trends more towards the OPPO Find N than the taller, slender Galaxy Z Fold 3. When fully unfolded, the Pixel Fold’s screen in the animation has an approximate 7:8 ratio. Compared to the 8.4:9 OPPO or 22.5:18 Samsung, it suggests Google could be working on a phone design that fits between these two players.

9to5Google also believes the Pixel Fold will share Google’s Tensor SoC with the Pixel 6 series but may not harbor the same camera hardware.

We should mention that these design details are drawn from setup animations, not concrete images or details of the Pixel Fold itself. These animations could merely be placeholders within the OS and the actual design of the foldable could change. However, this isn’t the first time we’ve seen mention of the Pixel Fold in Android, and it probably won’t be the last.

For now, Google’s long-awaited foldable has reportedly been canceled, but it’s interesting to note that the development of the Pixel Fold might not be dead just yet. Perhaps we might see the phone’s long-awaited debut this year, but that remains far from confirmed.

How would you feel if the Pixel Fold adopted a more compact form factor? Do you prefer OPPO or Samsung’s foldable phone design? Be sure to vote in our poll above and drop a comment below.