Google Pixel Notepad, first foldable pixel smartphone, will reportedly go into production in the third quarter of 2022. According to a post by tipster TheGalox_, “Pixel Notepad will start production in the third quarter of 2022. Their target price is $1399, we’ll see if they can hit that price.” Rumours around the first foldable Google Pixel smartphone have been in circulation for quite a while. We also saw reports claiming that the company has cancelled the foldable device but the latest claim suggests otherwise.
As per a report by NotebookCheck, Google Pixel Notepad may launch around October alongside the Google Pixel 7 series. The report also suggests that foldable Google Pixel Notepad, codenamed “pipit” is said to be powered by the next-generation Tensor chipset that will also support the Google Pixel 7 series. For those who don’t know, Tensor is Google’s in-house chipset that made its debut with the Google Pixel 6 series.
Similar timeline was also shared by Ross Young, analyst and CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC). As per a previous tweet by Young, Google’s foldable Pixel will start panel production in Q3 of 2022. He also mentioned that the tech giant will launch the device in Q4 of 2022.
When it comes to the specs of the smartphone, Young claims that the device will feature a display with refresh rate of 120Hz, similar to the foldable smartphones by Samsung. He also believes that Google’s upcoming foldable smartphone may be smaller than the current generation Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3.
As per previous reports, Google is reportedly planning to add a pair of under-display selfie cameras along with a few sensors under the screen. As per patent application discovered by LetsGoDigital, the tech giant is planning to incorporate Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 like under-display camera on its smartphone. Although the patent does not reveal the exact technology that the company is planning to use, it is rumoured that Google will pair an emissive display with a small non-emissive selfie camera cut-out that will allow light to reach the camera sensor.
Google also filed a patent for an under-display camera technology back in May 2021. But that technology is quite expensive and would have raised the price of the smartphones significantly. However, the technology in the latest patent application is expected to be cost-effective for Google.