Trusted Reviews is supported by its audience. If you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.Learn more.
Fast Charge: Google teasing the Pixel Fold makes me very excited for I/O
In This Article
OPINION: Google is set to take the stage at its annual Google I/O event next week, and while it’s usually focused on new software for Android smartphones and the occasional smart home update, this year’s event is gearing up to be one of the most exciting in years.
Why? Because Google is rumoured to launch a flurry of new hardware at its annual Google I/O event next week. This includes the long-awaited full reveal ofAndroid 14, as well as a new budget Pixel smartphone, a Pixel-branded tablet, and the long-awaited Google Pixel Fold, which Google confirmed on Twitter just days ago.
✨May The Fold Be With You✨https://t.co/g6NUd1DcOJ#GoogleIO#PixelFoldMay 10pic.twitter.com/K8Gk21nmo8
ThePixel Foldhas been a bit of an enigma over the past few years; rumours have pointed towards Google working on a foldable phone for at least three years, with release initially rumoured for 2021 before being pushed back to 2022 and, finally, 2023. It seems the wait is finally over with Google’s not-so-subtle teaser posted on Twitter on Thursday evening.
Though just a short animation of the Fold opening and revealing a large inner display, it confirms that it’s a) a book-style foldable like theGalaxy Z Fold 4and b) it’ll look like the flagshipPixel 7. It also seems to show off a gapless fold, something that Samsung’s foldable isn’t capable of.
Considering Samsung has had a bit of a monopoly on the foldable market – particularly the book-style foldable design – over the past few years, I can’t wait for some genuine competition from Google.
Google could also bethecompany to fix some of the biggest problems with big foldables in general, namely in terms of software and app support. The company has already confirmed thatAndroid 14will make it easier for developers to implement support for the boxy aspect ratio, and if any company can drum up support from developers, it’s the company that literally develops the OS the phones run.
I/O isn’t just about the Pixel Fold though; the long-rumouredPixel Tabletis said to make its debut following several official teasers from Google over the past year. Officially, we know that it’s a big-screen tablet with an almost ceramic-esque finish and that it’ll be compatible with a magnetic speaker dock that essentially turns it into a smart display when not in active use.
Again, as with foldables, Google could be the company to get developers to start developing more tablet-specific apps. This is the one area where Android tablets can’t quite compete with the competition from iPads right now. But, if Google’s tablet is a popular one, it could inspire iOS-only devs to make the shift to Android. Here’s hoping, anyway.
Then there’s the prospect of theGoogle Pixel 7amaking an appearance at the show – something that has been heavily leaked and rumoured in the weeks running up to I/O, with some leakers believing that the budget-focused phone will go on sale immediately after the announcement next week.
£30 per month for the Google Pixel 7 and 100GB of data
The Pixel 7 is one of the best phones we’ve reviewed this year, especially for the price. Now you can get it for an incredible price that includes 100GB of data on the Three network for just £30 per month, making it even more affordable. If you’re a keen mobile photographer, it’s an ideal handset for you.
While we don’t know much officially, rumours suggest big updates are on the way for the budget Pixel range including, arguably most importantly, a jump from 60Hz to 90Hz. The 60Hz panel has been a long-time pain point for the Pixel A models, so while it might not be the super fast 120Hz like some rivals, it’s a step in the right direction.
Of course, there’s also the full reveal of Android 14 to look forward to. Google has already seeded early beta updates to keen Android developers but these lack the key new features set to be announced at next week’s showcase.
While it’ll be a while before the update will appear on your phone – Pixel devices are usually first around September or October – it’ll give you a good idea of what to expect from the yearly smartphone update.
So, rather than just being a software-led show, this year’s Google I/O is going to be a special one packed with exciting new hardware and a number of firsts from the company. I, for one, can’t wait for the products themselves and the effect they could have on the larger foldable andAndroid tabletmarkets. What are you most looking forward to? Let us know onTwitter.
You might like…
Lewis is the Mobile Editor of Trusted Reviews with plenty of phone experience, from the Nokia 3210 to the iPhone 14 Pro Max. He has been in the tech industry writing about phones, headphones, tablets,…
Founded in 2003, Trusted Reviews exists to give our readers thorough, unbiased and independent advice on what to buy.
Today, we have millions of users a month from around the world, and assess more than 1,000 products a year.
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Why trust our journalism?
Founded in 2003, Trusted Reviews exists to give our readers thorough, unbiased and independent advice on what to buy.
Today, we have millions of users a month from around the world, and assess more than 1,000 products a year.
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
