Let’s start with everything Pixel Fold, because I think this round of rumors might be the most exciting of the bunch. After months and months of hearing about Google’s entry into the foldable market, this week we learned the most likely launch window for the device: June, following an announcement at Google I/O. What’s even better, of course, were the pricing rumors that followed later this week, potentially cementing the Pixel Fold as a cheaper alternative to Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 5 later this year. While a $1,300-$1,500 range doesn’t cement it as a “budget” device, it’s still a step in the right direction.
This week’s Pixel 7a rumors followed a similar path: an official reveal at I/O, followed by a June launch window with prices set somewhere between $450 and $500. We also saw two devices leaked in the wild – one in an early hands-on that showed every conceivable angle of the device, the other as an eBay listing when a prototype went up for sale. Google was quick to shut the latter down, but collectively we have a pretty good idea of what the Pixel 7 is shaping up to be.
But the fun didn’t stop there. We also got our first look at renders for the Pixel 8 Pro, which revealed a big surprise for a phone that otherwise looks like a fairly iterative update: a flat screen. Google has finally listened to calls on social media, forums and this very website and has seemingly done away with the curved screens of the previous Pro-series devices. The Pixel 8 also leaked, better highlighting the rounded corners on both phones.
It’s hard to believe we learned all that in just a single week, but with Google I/O less than two months away now, I don’t expect the leaks to slow down anytime soon. After all, we’ve yet to see the Fold in person, aside from a potential train sighting posted to Reddit. Meanwhile, the Pixel Tablet — which Google announced during its Pixel 7 event last fall — remains without a release date even as we approach April.
Still, this week felt like a turning point for Google’s 2023 lineup, giving us our clearest picture yet of the company’s future plans. So I’m curious: Which device is most exciting to you? Is the Pixel 7a the cheaper Pixel 7 you’ve been waiting for? Does the Fold’s pricing make it a must-buy foldable? Or are you content to wait for Google’s next flagship series this fall? Feel free to chime in with your thoughts in the comments – this was a busy news week and I’m curious to hear what everyone thought of it all.