For foldable devices in these early days, the companies making them appear to be willing to lower the quality of the camera systems they include, likely as a bit of a trade-off for the super cool foldable technologies they’ve prepared to “wow” the world with. I say that because the Galaxy Fold line from Samsung never quite matches the high-end camera systems used in devices like the Galaxy S Ultra range. Instead, as an example, Samsung has tossed in three solid 12MP shooters on the Fold 3 that can get the job done, just not on the level of a phone like the Galaxy S21 Ultra.
For Google’s upcoming Pixel foldable, they are reportedly taking a similar approach. According to 9to5Google, who dug deep into a Google Camera app, Google won’t match the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro’s camera systems and will instead use their famous 12MP camera that was featured in the Pixel 3 through the Pixel 5.
The files they dug into revealed a Pixel foldable codenamed “Pipit” that is expected to use that familiar Sony IMX363 sensor, as well as a Sony IMX386, which is an ultra-wide lens. That could mean a rear camera setup on the Pixel foldable that’s very similar to what we saw on the Pixel 5. Since that camera is absolutely capable, this isn’t the worst news.
There are other references to a Sony IMX355 camera being used in two places. Those two places should be on a front cover or “outer” display and on an internal or “inner” display, so we’re talking about 8MP selfie shooters here.
And finally, all of this fun camera info has been spotted alongside a reference of “isPixel2022Foldable.” In case you are having trouble reading that, this wording appears to confirm that Google will release a Pixel foldable in 2022. That shouldn’t surprise you knowing that they just announced Android 12L, a version of Android built for foldables, and plans to release Android 12L “early next year, in time for the next wave of Android 12 tablets and foldables.”
To recap, the Pixel foldable codenamed “Pipit” sure looks ready for a release in 2022, but don’t expect it to have the fancy camera system Google released with the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. Instead, expect a camera system closer to the Pixel 5.
Makes sense. The 6 setup is good enough.
They still can’t make a well made Pixel, so there’s no way in hell I would trust their foldable. And I’d also wager that the vast majority of people don’t want a foldable. They’re too fragile and expensive with too many trade offs. The slab is the best form for a phone. There’s no getting around that.
Why not make the foldable asymmetrical? Then use the “chin” to pack in the world’s BEST camera lens system? And on the other side, include the world’s best speaker. With double the height, it should be cheaper and easier than ever to include bigger and badder peripherals!
So, Google will release a flagship phone that lacks a flagship experience? What a shocker, huh?
Ok so I wonder which one does the Pixel 6a get…
Follow history and give it the same as the regular series or change it up in 2022 to mirror Pixel’s “passport”?
Everyone needs to relax and read through the marketing bs each company comes up with every product they drop. Have you seen camera comparisons between the 5a and the 6 Pro, the difference is almost non existent in photos except for the telephoto despite the fact that 6 pro has a huge sensor(bigger than S21U), but in video there is a big difference with the advantage to the 6 Pro. Based on most ppl here claiming not to care about video if the Pixel Fold has the same camera as 5a then it should be great.
So then what is the point?
Pass.
I’ve been a phone geek before it was even a thing.
I follow and get excited about every new hot android phone.
But foldables?
Zero interest.
May I ask why? I also am a phone geek and remember the first cell phone we ever got – it was the size of suitcase, and the “phone” part had a pig tail cord to it. I ask because I am interested in foldables, would be interesting to see an unfamiliar perspective. What would foldables have to do to excite you?
The fact that you can fold a big or regular sized screen into an almost 3×3 inch square is enough to get me excited. Because these phones are on their way to getting ridiculously too big again (in reference to the Motorola SCN2500 and all the versions of the Bag Phone)
Agreed. Foldables are nothing more than a solution in search of a problem.
imagine calling being able to fit a 7in tablet into almost any size pant pockets being a solution looking for a problem
I don’t need to imagine. I made the statement, and I stand by it. In almost twenty five years of cell phone ownership, not once have I ever wished my phone could unfurl itself into a 7 inch tablet.
I will pass then. A Pixel without the best camera system of its own line isn’t a Pixel.
Funny thing, I was waiting for this phone and DEFINITELY planned to purchase. While I don’t care if they utilize old camera tech, it is concerning that their most technologically advanced and most expensive device will have only two cameras ….
I need a telephoto, this device will be at least $1300/$1400, it needs a telephoto.
I will pass, but I really wanted this device.
That’s one of the big downsides to foldables, can’t fit great cameras in them. The fold3 cameras are AT BEST average, but strongly leaning towards not good. But, with Google’s software magic for cameras and the same hardware used in previous pixels they should be pretty good, just missing a good telephoto.
I do hope they add a telephoto. I use telephoto more often than my ultra-wide camera.
Me too. I care nothing about ultra wide. I’d actually use a telephoto.
It all just depends on the choices they make. Samsung said the same thing about the Galaxy S Ultra camera array and an internal S-Pen from the Note and in a couple months they will prove themselves wrong – probably by using a compact stacked mainboard config and a battery that is thicker but less wide/tall. Apple did the same thing with the iPhone 13, making the mainboard thicker and smaller to fit a larger battery at the expense of the phone being slightly thicker than the 12.