Samsung’s rapid start to smartphones with a foldable display now apparently means that Google has pulled the emergency brake on its Google ” Pixel Fold “. Google reportedly halted the project over concerns about the competitiveness of its model.
As the analysts at Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC) around Ross Young report , Google has apparently put its plans on hold to launch its first smartphone with a foldable display in 2021 or early 2022. It relies on the information provided by people who work in the supply chain, i.e. work for companies that serve as suppliers for Google.
Neither in the further course of 2021 nor in the first half of 2022 is the introduction of the Pixel Fold to be expected. Although the device has been well developed, Google recently decided against launching it. The reason for this is apparently the strong dominance of Samsung, as the Korean manufacturer has occupied the still relatively small market for smartphones with foldable displays with great success with its third generation of devices.
Samsung is probably unassailable for the time being
Samsung can lure you with attractive prices thanks to the in-house production of the displays for the Galaxy Z series and the production of relatively large quantities, so that, for example, the Galaxy Z Flip3 with a starting price of 999 US dollars is not more expensive than it is, especially in the USA a current high-end smartphone with a regular form factor in “bar type” style.
Google, on the other hand, could probably not achieve such low costs for the Pixel Fold, so that the device would most likely be significantly more expensive than the Samsung products. In addition, there would probably have been compromises in terms of hardware equipment, especially in the area of the cameras. This is especially true in comparison to the new Pixel 6 models , because the Pixel Fold should still get a Sony IMX363 camera sensor. Google had used the same chip since the Pixel 3, but recently replaced it with much more powerful hardware.
Even with the display, Google allegedly could not have offered the same advanced hardware as is now used in the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 . Although the Pixel Fold is said to have the same size panel with a maximum refresh rate of 120 Hertz based on LTPO, the under-screen camera is missing here, as is the latest technology used by Samsung for improved color display using “Color on Capsulation”.
