Google Pixel Fold 2 reportedly to bag the Tensor G4 paired with 16GB RAM

Google joined the foldable party with the Pixel Fold, a book-style foldable powered by the company’s Tensor G2 chipset, launched in May 2023. This year’s Pixel lineup is expected to include the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 8a, and the successor to the Pixel Fold – the Pixel Fold 2. While details about the device have been pretty scarce, thanks to Android Authority, we now have some key information about the upcoming foldable.

According to an anonymous source, Google has been internally testing the Pixel Fold 2 for a couple of months. Initial prototypes sported the Tensor G3 (“zuma”) chipset, but recent ones have shifted to the rumored Tensor G4 (“zumapro”). This shift suggests Google might launch the Fold 2 with the G4, but it’s not confirmed. Notably, the Pixel Tablet was originally planned with the first-gen Tensor in mind but ended up with the G2 (“tangorpro” vs “tangor”). If anything, the Pixel Fold 2 (codenamed “comet”) could follow the same path.

A chipset change might impact the launch window. The Pixel Fold was announced at Google I/O in May 2023, so a similar timeline for the Fold 2 seems logical. However, Google usually unveils new Tensor chipsets at its fall hardware event. If the Fold 2 gets the G4, an I/O launch is less likely. Conversely, no Fold 2 announcement at I/O could hint at skipping the G3 and waiting for the G4.

The Fold 2 is reportedly in the early stages of Engineering Validation Testing (EVT), meaning it’s far from mass production (the process goes from prototype > EVT > DVT > PVT > MP). Considering this stage, a May 2024 I/O launch seems unlikely.

While full specs remain unknown, the Tensor G4 is expected to be a minor upgrade over the G3. It might feature Arm’s Cortex-X4, A720, and A520 CPU cores and be fabricated by Samsung. Google also might be ready to switch to TSMC for the Tensor G5. Given the fact that the Tensor G3 too was just a modest upgrade over the G2, if Google wants to charge a premium for its next foldable, it would make more sense to have the latest SoC.

Besides the chipset, the publication‘s source revealed that some prototypes boast 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 256GB of UFS 4.0 storage, compared to the Fold’s 12GB RAM and UFS 3.1 storage. This 16GB RAM would be a first for Google smartphones and aligns with reports of Google introducing more on-device AI features with its new “Pixie” assistant. The UFS 4.0 storage should offer faster loading times for apps and games. We might get more details about other storage options closer to launch.

While much remains to be confirmed, these leaks offer an exciting glimpse into the potential of the Google Pixel Fold 2. Stay tuned for further updates as the device gets closer to launch!