The Google Pixel Fold finally debuted earlier this month and is set to go on sale in a matter of weeks. But, as we’ve known for a while, this wasn’t the only iteration of the Pixel Fold on the books, and now Google’s Ivy Ross is shedding some light on the matter.
in finale episode From the Made by Google podcast, “Pixel Perfect,” Google’s Ivy Ross, Isabelle Olsson, and Claude Zellweger comment on the design philosophy of the latest Pixel products. Included in that was an interesting thing (found around the 17 minute mark) about the Pixel Fold from Ivy Ross. Apparently, Google held off the launch of the first foldable version because the design wasn’t “good enough” and because the team wanted to release a product that was “better than what was already out there”.
I’m really proud of the team because there was another foldable model we built that we had the discipline to say, “No, it’s not good enough yet,” and really wait until we felt like we could do something good enough or better than what was already out there. So it’s really a testament to the fact that we can do that and recognize when something just isn’t good enough.
Ross’ comments don’t tell us anything particularly new. As we’ve reported extensively, there have already been two more iterations of the Pixel Fold before the one we have today. “Pipit” was in the works around the same time as Android 12L, with Google’s focus on the big screen making the perfect time to release the foldable device. The animation showed folding at similar proportions to the final product, and the original Tensor processor as well. In the end, though, the “Pipit” didn’t cross the finish line and was replaced by the Pixel Fold we know today, the “Felix.”
Before this model, there was the “Passport,” which we exclusively reported on in 2020. That device was never all we could see, at least from what we could see, which may be part of why Ross was ruled out because there are more iterations.
Anyway, the Pixel Fold that we know now looks promising and, despite the delay, is still a foldable that has a chance to help influence the market. With the Fold sold in the US, it’s the only book-style foldable sold in that market along with Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series, which has been reasonably stagnant for a few generations now.
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