Google’s rumored ‘Pixel Notepad’ foldable device to launch in late 2022

We’ve heard this before, haven’t we?

What you need to know

• Google is reportedly preparing to start producing Pixel foldable panels in the third quarter of 2022.
• The company could launch the device in the fourth quarter of this year, possibly after Samsung’s next foldable.
• Earlier rumors suggested that Google would launch a foldable device in late 2021 or early 2022.

While it has been said that Google has shelved its rumored Pixel foldable plans, it appears that everything is back on track for a late 2022 launch.

Ross Young, CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants (DCSS), tweet On Monday, Google will begin production of Pixel foldable panels in the third quarter of 2022, which could be anytime between July and September. Based on this, he expects the release time may be in the fourth quarter of October.

While leaker Jon Prosser insists the rumored device wasn’t canceled in the first place, Young says Google canceled its initial order for the device. He previously noted that Google is rethinking its approach to foldable devices because it doesn’t think it’s competitive enough to compete with Samsung’s best foldable phones.

Well, the parts order was canceled. But yes, it will launch 12 months later than expected.

— Ross Young (@DSCCRoss) February 14, 2022

Regardless of whether the device is actually canceled (Young and Prosser have a solid track record), analysts agree that Samsung has set a bar so high that it’s hard for Google to compete. That being said, subsequent rumors pointed to the device not only being smaller but also cheaper than Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 3, which could give Google a foothold.

Since the phone is expected to be available in the fourth quarter of this year, that would be in line with 9to5Google’s projected international release schedule, with our own sources pointing to a 2023 release. Either way, that would put it a full year behind the original expected release.

A Q4 release could also make it second only to Samsung’s next major foldable launch, which we expect could be around August if last year’s launch can continue. That said, Samsung is unlikely to rest on its laurels with the Galaxy Z Fold 4, so either way, Google could face an uphill battle.