Google to launch a foldable Pixel smartphone next year

Google is reportedly planning to launch three Pixel smartphones in the fall next year. While two are believed to be Pixel 6 series smartphone, the third one is expected to be the foldable Pixel smartphone.

The document also mentions the Google Pixel 5a, which is codenamed Barbette. (REUTERS)

Google recently revealed its budget Pixel 4a smartphone while confirming that Pixel 4a 5G and the Pixel 5 smartphones will arrive in fall this year. Then today, the company accidentally revealed the launch date for the Pixel 4a 5G and the Pixel 5 smartphones. Now, a report says that Google will launch a foldable Pixel smartphone in 2021.

A new document reviewed by 9To5Google talks about the Pixel smartphones that Google is planning to launch next year. The document, that lists the builds of the Android mobile operating system that Google has used since the Pixel 2, not only includes details about the Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a 5G and the Pixel 5 smartphones but it also contains details about the unannounced Pixel smartphones.

As per the report by the publication, the document mentions the Google Pixel 5a, which is codenamed Barbette. In addition to that, the document also mentions three other devices with their codenames, which includes Raven, Oriole and Passport. While Raven and Oriole are believed to be the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 XL smartphones, Passport in the document is explicitly being referred to as being ‘foldable'. Additionally, the document says that the three phones will arrive in Q4 of 2021.

Notably, this is not the first time that we have been hearing reports of Google working on a foldable display smartphone. The reports of Google working on a foldable Pixel smartphone first surfaced last year. At the time, Pixel head at the time, Mario Queiroz in a statement to CNET has said that the company was prototyping a model. However, it didn't see a clear use case at the time. However, in light of the recent developments, it is safe to assume that Google sees a use case now and hence it is working towards launching a foldable Pixel phone next year.