Google’s Next Foldable Could Be Named ‘Pixel 9 Pro Fold’

Google has traditionally launched its flagship Pixel lineup with just two phones since the debut of the first-generation Pixels in 2016. However, it seems that the upcoming Pixel 9 lineup will see a change with the introduction of a smaller Pro device. Moreover, a new report suggests that Google might be adding a fourth device to the lineup, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, marking Google's second foldable phone.

Pixel 9 Naming Scheme According to information obtained by Android Authority from a Google insider, the Mountain View giant has adjusted its naming scheme for the late 2024 Pixel devices. The lineup is expected to be:

• Pixel 9 - codenamed "tokay"
• Pixel 9 Pro - codenamed "caiman"
• Pixel 9 Pro XL - codenamed "komodo"
• Pixel 9 Pro Fold - codenamed "comet"

These names have been corroborated by some of the software built for Google's 2024 devices. It's noteworthy that Google initially referred to the device codenamed "comet" as the "Pixel Fold 2." However, the "Pixel 9 Pro Fold" name is currently in use.

A Shift in Google's Foldable Strategy If Google integrates the Pixel 9 Pro Fold as a full-fledged member of the Pixel 9 series, it would signify a significant shift from its approach to the first-generation Pixel Fold. The original Pixel Fold, launched in 2023, was announced at Google I/O as a "midyear" device, suggesting it wasn't treated as a flagship release despite its high price of $1,799.

The Pixel Fold faced criticism for shipping with a nine-month-old processor, the Tensor G2, and offering only three years of Android version updates. Moreover, just three months after its release, Google unveiled the Pixel 8 series with a significantly improved Tensor G3 processor and seven years of Android updates.

Launch and Availability Previously, the Pixel Fold was expected to debut at Google I/O in May. However, the latest report suggests that the Pixel 9 Pro Fold could be unveiled at Google's annual hardware event in October, alongside the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL.

As we await the official launch, it will be interesting to see if the Pixel 9 Pro Fold lives up to its new name and whether Google's integrated approach to foldables proves successful.

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Image credits - Smartprix