Newsletter
It’s February, so it’s time for some juicy Google Pixel Fold 2 rumors. This one comes from Android Authority, which says that the Pixel Fold 2 could launch with the Tensor G4 chipset instead of the Tensor G3, and it also comes with even more RAM. We’re looking at up to 16GB of RAM this time around. That would be the most RAM ever shipped in a Pixel device.
Despite the lack of rumors and leaks regarding a Pixel Fold 2, many people speculated that it might not be launched this year, especially when compared to the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro. However, recent reports suggest that this speculation is untrue, and we might see a Pixel Fold 2 launching alongside the Pixel 9 series in the fall instead of a mid-year release at Google I/O, like last year.
According to Android Authority’s source, the Pixel Fold 2 was initially being tested with the Tensor G3 chipset, using the codename “zuma”. However, recently, prototypes have shifted to using the Tensor G4 chipset, with a new codename of “zumapro”. This suggests that Pixel Fold 2 could come with Tensor G4 instead of G3. This change has happened before, with the Pixel Tablet, which moved from “tangor” to “tangorpro”.
A fall release makes much more sense
Google released their foldable in May, only for a new chipset and better hardware to come out a few months later in October; it just didn’t make sense last year. What a way to make the early adopters who spent $1700 on your foldable feel obsolete in a few month’s time. Moving the launch to the fall makes more sense; however, this could overshadow the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro launches as well. It’s a tough decision for Google – and well, any OEM – to make.
Samsung, for instance, launched its flagship Galaxy S model of phones in January (it used to be March, then February). Then, it launched its foldables in August (July last year) with the same chipset. Now, if Google wants to change when it launches the Tensor G4, that would also make sense. Launch it at Google I/O with the Pixel Fold 2, then launch the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro in the fall like usual. However, then we have the issue of the Pixel 8a launching at the same time as the Pixel Fold 2. On the flip side, it is using the Pixel 8 moniker, so it could make sense to ship it with Tensor G3.
The best bet for Google would be Pixel 8a around February at Mobile World Congress. Then, launch the Tensor G4 at Google I/O with Pixel Tablet 2 and Pixel Fold 2. And finally, the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro will be in the fall. Though this is Google, so anything can happen.