The canceled Google Pixel Fold was shown live

The flexible Google Pixel Fold smartphone wasn't Google's first attempt at a foldable phone. In fact, Google had a prototype ready a year before the Pixel Fold was released, but it was rejected because it was deemed inadequate.

However, new pictures from “wild nature” have revealed the design and specs of this canceled folding Pixel, codenamed “pipit”. Design “pipit” strikingly similar to the released Pixel Fold, including the non-standard aspect ratio, frame, hinge and frosted glass on the back. The main difference is in the chamber strip: “pipit” has a seamless glass band similar to the Pixel 6, while the Pixel Fold has a smaller metal camera island similar to the Pixel 7 Pro.

This prototype “pipit” appeared in the market, where someone intended to sell it. A potential buyer found it strange and decided to turn to the Internet to find out what kind of device it was, and it was identified. So now we have an image (albeit of poor quality) of what might have been years ago.

About “pipit” not much is known, but the timing of its potential release may provide some clues as to the reasons for the cancellation. If it were released, “pipit” would launch alongside the Pixel 6a and the canceled Pixel Tablet at Google I/O 2022. That would make it one of the first devices to run Android 12L, a version of Android optimized for large screens.

Although the exact reason for the cancellation &ldquo ;pipit” remains unknown, its possible release at such a time could be related to technical or strategic challenges that arose during the development stage.

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“However, the launch of the Pixel 6 series and Android 12 was accompanied by bugs. Although Android 12L fixed some issues, it was still unstable and many features were delayed. Probably, Google decided to postpone the tablet and complex smartphone to ensure the stability of the software and make the necessary adjustments to the hardware.

Cancellation of the “pipit” was not a complete failure. Many Googlers reportedly used the prototypes as their daily devices, and the first-generation Pixel Fold is clearly built on the hardware and software developed for the “pipit”.

Having seen the Pixel 6's camera jaw on a foldable smartphone, I remembered my dreams for this form factor back then and increased my excitement for the upcoming Pixel Fold 2. Fortunately, we won't have to wait long, as August is just around the corner.”