Google Pixel Fold leak tips worse cameras than Pixel 6

Google Pixel Fold leak tips worse cameras than Pixel six

(Image credit: Waqar Khan)

The Google Pixel 6 and Google Pixel half dozen Pro are both amidst the best photographic camera phones, merely information technology seems that Google will be taking a step backwards for the rumored Pixel Fold.

Digging into the code of the Google Camera app, 9to5Google has found testify that the upcoming foldable's main camera will use the aforementioned IXM363 sensor that Google used in its phones from 2018's Pixel 3 to 2020's Pixel v. If right, that's a 12.2MP sensor — a big step downward from the 50MP GN1 camera found in the new Pixel 6 line.

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Simply it'southward not a complete backwards step. 9to5gGoogle'due south code investigation too found that the Pixel Fold volition likely include the aforementioned 12MP IMX386 ultrawide sensor every bit the new Pixels. And it's also tipped to come with two forepart-facing 8MP IMX355 sensors — which makes sense, equally you'd desire a selfie camera for both folded and unfolded states.

If truthful, Google's apparent retreat to a three-year-old master camera sensor might be a practical decision, as the Pixel 6'south camera bar would make a bulky foldable even more beefy. Alternatively, it may be a cost-saving decision: foldables are already expensive, and then any opportunity to relieve would exist welcome. Google can arguably get away with this more than than any other company: even older Pixel phones dial above their weight in the photographic stakes, thanks to its all-time-in-class prototype processing.

And information technology'south not like Google would be the commencement company to hold back on top-end cameras for its foldables, either. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold three has weaker photographic camera specs than the Galaxy S21 flagships, just commands a considerably higher toll overall.

The trick is ensuring that the other specifications become some way to justifying the high price of entry for foldables. Samsung has generally managed this, but Motorola missed the mark with its 2019 revival of the Razr, which sold for $1,500, despite using the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 710 processor found in phones that cost a fraction of the price — like Google's own $399 Pixel 3a.

It seems unlikely Google would make that error. Now that the visitor is making its own Tensor chips, y'all'd imagine the Pixel Fold will be the next destination for Google'due south silicon, and the chip is very much property upwards well confronting the competition.

While previous reports had indicated that the Pixel Fold could exist ane of a number of 2021 foldables, it appears that we're now looking at a 2022 release date. The fact that we didn't fifty-fifty go a teaser of Google'south foldable future at the Pixel 6 event pretty much confirms that the company's mobile ambitions for the yr are done, and 9to5Google's code analysis found references labelled "isPixel2022Foldable".

More: The best foldable phones you can buy correct now

Freelance contributor Alan has been writing about tech for over a decade, covering phones, drones and everything in between. Previously Deputy Editor of tech site Alphr, his words are found all over the web and in the occasional mag also. When not weighing upwards the pros and cons of the latest smartwatch, you'll probably find him tackling his ever-growing games backlog. Or, more likely, playing Spelunky for the millionth time.