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Google could add the Fold to its Pixel 9 lineup in 2024, say reports
Google Pixel 9 series is shaping up to be solid core set of products and the inclusion of a foldable will definitely get people excited this year.
Google Pixel 9 series is likely to be announced sometime in October this year and it seems the company has some big plans for the Pixel lineup in 2024. Latest reports suggest Google could have not three but four Pixel 9 models in the market, and more importantly, one of them could be a foldable device. That’s right, Google could rename the Pixel Fold 2 as Pixel 9 Pro Fold for buyers this year, as mentioned in a report here.
The new Fold is unlikely to make an appearance at the Google I/O 2024 next month, instead, it could be part of the launch lineup at the Pixel 9 series event around October. Having four Pixel 9 models is a big change for the company, which has mostly offered three models in the market, including the Pixel a-series variant.
But the addition of two new models will swell up its portfolio to five products for the 2024-25 timeline. Google will have to pull up its socks if it wants to cater to these many products, especially in the premium category where the competition will get tougher later this year. Having said that, Pixel Fold did not get a wide release last year, so it is possible that Google will limit its availability to some markets once again. The name Pixel 9 Pro Fold is not totally official yet, but for now, we can hope it is.
Google Pixel 9 Series Lineup: What Else Do We Know?
Pixel 9 Pro Fold is unlikely to be the lone entrant into the lineup later this year. Reports claim Google could be ready to bring the Pixel XL moniker back into the picture with the new Pixel 9 Pro XL model also in the pipeline. The XL part of the Pixel 9 Pro could mean that you get a large 6.7 or 6.8-inch screen which makes it as big as the iPhone Pro Max version.
The sales of the Pro Max clearly suggest there is a market out there and people who like big, unwieldy phones, but it is another matter if they would want something of that ilk from Google. The vanilla Pixel 9 is expected to feature a 6-inch display, while the Pixel 9 Pro could get a 6.1-inch screen.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL also gives Google the room to widen the pricing gap between all three models, which Samsung and Apple have done over many years. Having said that, Google’s pricing strategy has always raised eyebrows, so it is imperative that the Pixel 9 Pro XL and Pixel 9 Pro Fold pricing don’t make them inaccessible to most buyers.
