Google Cancels Second Foldable Phone Project: What Went Wrong?

Google recently confirmed that it was working on a second foldable phone but decided to cancel the project due to concerns about the device’s quality. The company’s first foldable phone, the Pixel Fold, was unveiled at Google I/O 2023. This device has many good reviews for its design and features. However, the cancellation of the second foldable phone project raises questions about Google’s commitment to the market.

Google’s Second Foldable Phone

Google’s head of design for hardware products, Ivy Ross, confirmed on an episode of the official Made By Google podcast that the company was working on a second foldable phone. Ross said that the team decided to cancel the project because the device wasn’t good enough. The team wants to create something truly great so it had to cancel. This decision shows Google’s dedication to the folding screen phone market and its desire to offer high – quality products.

On the podcast, Ross said

I’m really proud of the team because there was another foldable model that we had created, that we had the discipline to hold back and say ‘nope, it’s not good enough yet,’ and really wait until we felt like we could do something that was good enough or better than what was out there already.

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The Pixel Fold: Google’s First Foldable Phone

The Pixel Fold was launched at Google I/O 2023 and is available for pre-order, with shipping starting in June. The device features a 5.8-inch exterior display and a 7.6-inch internal display. This device has a thinner profile than any other foldable phone on the market. The Pixel Fold is powered by Google’s Tensor G2 chip and offers five years of software support. It has also been praised for its seamless hardware and software integration. Of course, the device comes with a robust stainless steel hinge which is also another plus. 

Challenges in the Foldable Phone Market

The foldable phone market is dominated by Samsung at the moment, It has devices like the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy Z Flip 4 with good reviews and strong sales. Google’s entry into the market with the Pixel Fold is an attempt to challenge Samsung’s dominance. However, the cancellation of its second project suggests that Google may be struggling to compete in this market.

One of the issues Google faces is the high cost of foldable phones, which makes them very expensive for many buyers. Also, they still occupy a relatively small segment of the mobile phone market. It remains to be seen whether they will gain widespread adoption.

Final Words

Google’s decision to cancel its second foldable phone project highlights the issues it faces. It shows that the company is still trying to get things right with folding screen phones. If it must compete with the likes of Samsung, then it has to be near perfect. However, its first try has been getting loads of positive reviews. This is a big plus for Google and it should spur the company to do more.