Google Pixel foldable phone may come in 2021, but don’t expect it to replace Pixel 6

Expect many more foldable phones this year

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CouldGooglebe the next big name infoldable phones? According to a new report, the company is working on a bending device and it may be ready for markets before the end of 2021.

The report comes from a Korean source calledThe Electhat says Oppo, Xiaomi and Google are all making orders withSamsungDisplay - that’s a separate company to the one that makes consumer technology likeSamsung phones- to buy foldable screen tech.

This isn’t the first time we’ve heard the Google name in the foldable phone conversation, but the report says the company is planning to purchase 7.6-inch screens for an upcoming phone.

The Elec report says that smartphones using this display technology are set to be revealed this year, but it’s not entirely clear whether we’ll see devices from all three manufacturers or just one or two of the names.

We can’t yet determine if this Google handset will be a clamshell foldable, or something that more resembles theHuawei Mate X2or theSamsung Galaxy Z Fold 2.

What about Xiaomi and Oppo?

According to the report, Oppo is looking for a clamshell-appropriate 7.7-inch screen while Xiaomi’s order includes an 8.03-inch that would be used for the inside of a phone that folds out like a book.

It’s thought this foldable Pixel would be available as an alternative to theGoogle Pixel 6, so this is unlikely to be a replacement for the company’s flagship handset. We don’t yet know when the Google Pixel 6 is set to land, but we’re expecting it to be toward the end of 2021.

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Take this with a pinch of salt as Google may change its plans for a closing phone in the coming months, but this is our best sign yet that the company is experimenting with a foldable Pixel.

We’ve heard in the last few days that Google may be resurrecting itsGoogle Pixel XL linefor its next smartphones, as well as a leak around theGoogle Pixel 5athatshows a remarkably similardevice to 2020’s handsets.

ViaBGR

James is the Editor-in-Chief at Android Police. Previously, he was Senior Phones Editor for TechRadar, and he has covered smartphones and the mobile space for the best part of a decade bringing you news on all the big announcements from top manufacturers making mobile phones and other portable gadgets. James is often testing out and reviewing the latest and greatest mobile phones, smartwatches, tablets, virtual reality headsets, fitness trackers and more. He once fell over.

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