The current Pixel lineup is bigger than ever, but Google is missing out by avoiding flip phones altogether.
In general, the company takes a “less is more” approach with its smartphones. The Pixel lineup began with a single device in 2016, and it took another seven years before we saw more than three handsets in the same calendar year.
But after the 2023 quartet (the 8 series plus 7a), Google has upped the ante this time. The Pixel 9 and 9 Pro were widely expected, as was a successor to the Pixel Fold (even if the new name Pixel 9 Pro Fold was a surprise).
Yet until the flood of leaks just before launch, few had predicted there would be a fourth model, the Pixel 9 Pro XL. That means we now have a range of flagship phones to suit different needs, as well as a foldable device for buyers who are up to speed on the latest in the market.
If you’re looking for something cheaper, the 2024 Pixel 8a is a worthy mid-range alternative. And while Google doesn’t make a budget phone itself, older models like the Pixel 7a are regularly discounted to under £300/$300.
This is a strong product lineup, but I’m convinced it would be even better with a flip phone.
Google is one of the few phone makers that hasn’t experimented with folding phones yet – Samsung is already on the 5th generation – and is undoubtedly the biggest on the Android side. Apple is also clearly waiting for the right time to launch foldable phones.
This is despite the fact that there are already two generations of book-style foldable devices that are still too experimental and too expensive (£1,749/$1,799 for the 9 Pro Fold) to find their way into the hands of regular consumers.
In contrast, many flip phones are priced at the same level as regular flagships, and there are some obvious reasons why people choose one of these phones over a non-foldable one.
Whether you want to take top-notch selfies, reduce screen time, or simply want a more compact design, a flip phone offers some real advantages over a regular mobile phone.
The two leading flip phones on the market – the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 and the Motorola Razr 50 Ultra/Razr+ (2024) – are both compelling options.
But both have significant flaws, be it Samsung’s slightly frustrating cover screen or Motorola’s camera compromises. And the lack of competition is really hurting consumers in the UK and US, with Chinese companies seemingly reluctant to launch flip phones outside of Asia.
I believe Google is the only company that could truly master the clamshell form factor.
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
At the same time, I believe Google is the only company that could truly master the clamshell form factor.
Pixel phones have some of the best cameras in the business, so it would be great to use them for selfies. Google’s hardware has come a long way in recent years, and I’m confident they can make a stylish yet durable folding phone. And as the maker of Android, Google could incentivize developers to create apps that are truly optimized for the cover display.
Together, a potential Pixel Flip could offer the best of both worlds: an exciting hybrid that doesn’t compromise on the fundamentals of a great smartphone. If that doesn’t make flip phones appealing to the mainstream, I don’t know what else will.
