Not everybody could also be on board with foldable telephones, however there isn’t any denying that the shape issue is right here to remain. The foldable market has grown considerably over time, with gamers rising left and proper and loads of fashions to select from. Google is already on its third foldable iteration with the fairly spectacular however iterative Pixel 10 Professional Fold, however it’s nonetheless ignoring a fairly vital kind issue: the flip cellphone.
Since utilizing flip telephones just like the Motorola Razr and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip over the previous few years, I’ve typically stated that Google must throw its personal flip cellphone into the combo. Google apparently disagrees, and the corporate appears to have little interest in producing a flip cellphone, however I imagine Pixel Flip might be an important complement to Google’s smartphone lineup and leverage the rising reputation of the Pixel household in a number of ways in which would safe its success.
Extra choices for everybody
One of many predominant causes I need a Pixel Flip is that, regardless of the rising foldable smartphone market, choices for flip telephones are fairly slim. In North America, Motorola and Samsung are the one choices, whereas Chinese language OEMs supply extra fashions abroad however are nonetheless overshadowed by book-style foldables. For instance, the OPPO Discover N3 Flip from 2023 was a powerful flip cellphone, however the firm hasn’t launched a follow-up since, though it has produced two flagship book-style foldables previously couple of years.
It is turning into clear that corporations are a lot extra centered on bigger book-style foldables, and it isn’t arduous to see why. Corporations could make way more from these telephones, attributable to their larger common promoting value. That is probably why we see Google specializing in the bigger kind issue; it might probably get extra money again from every unit offered.
Nonetheless, in North America, the place there are just a few related names within the smartphone market, having extra alternative among the many accessible gamers is an effective factor. Not everyone seems to be keen to spend $1,800 on a smartphone, and a Pixel Flip would permit Google to nonetheless promote a smartphone at a extra accessible flagship value whereas offering a 3rd main flip cellphone possibility from a well-liked model, alongside the Razr and Galaxy Z Flip.
Google can leverage the rising reputation of the Razr and Pixel lineups
Fairly a bit has modified within the few years since I final made the case for a Pixel Flip. Each Motorola and Google have develop into greater gamers within the smartphone market, because of the Razr and Pixel.
In response to Counterpoint Analysis, Motorola “emerged as one of many standout performers globally” within the foldable market throughout Q3 2025, after “increasing its foldable base via aggressive pricing, robust channel partnerships and favorable product usability evaluations.” The corporate has seen spectacular development because of its profitable advertising and marketing of the Razr collection, which gives a variety of value factors and engaging reductions.
IDC estimates that the foldable market will develop by almost 30% in 2026, whereas non-foldables will really see a decline. With the launch of the Motorola Razr Fold later this yr, Motorola is poised to reap the advantages of this surge by providing two totally different foldable kind components, one thing Google can and will contemplate.
It additionally exhibits why Google (and shoppers) should not sleep on flip telephones. Since Q1 2024, Motorola has maintained double-digit market share within the U.S., remaining the third-largest smartphone model by shipments, behind Apple and Samsung.
And whereas Motorola needs to be sufficient of a motivator, Google want solely have a look at its personal Pixel lineup to persuade itself why a Pixel Flip may nonetheless work. These AI telephones have gotten more and more standard amongst shoppers, with Pixel shipments breaking into the highest 5 in Q2 2025, and the Pixel 10 launch leading to a huge surge in gross sales.
It is clear that the Pixel is successful, and whereas Google at the moment gives 4 Pixel 10 fashions, a Pixel Flip may simply slot amongst its higher-end fashions. Assuming Google retains its smartphone costs the identical and costs a Pixel Flip much like the Galaxy Z Flip 7, the lineup may look one thing like this:
- Google Pixel 11: $799
- Google Pixel 11 Professional: $999
- Google Pixel Flip: $1,099
- Google Pixel 11 Professional XL: $1,199
- Google Pixel 11 Professional Fold: $1,799
This is able to place the Pixel Flip as a premium providing, permitting Google to compete with different high-end flip telephones whereas attracting extra customers who might want the novelty of a foldable cellphone with out the upper value level of the 10 Professional Fold or its successor.
What I need to see in a Pixel Flip
If Google determined to offer us a Pixel Flip, it would not be too troublesome to think about what this could be like. The design may resemble the present Pixel lineup with a principally flat matte body and shiny glass again, much like the bottom Pixel 10, plus a variety of coloration choices. The quilt display screen would develop throughout the highest panel, as on the Razr Extremely 2025 and Galaxy Z Flip 7, with cameras protruding from the underside nook of the exterior display screen.
The Pixel can take after the Razr to let customers use almost any app on the quilt display screen out of the field, one thing most flip telephones nonetheless do not permit. We have seen Google optimize the Android OS and apps for book-style foldables, and this might immediate Google to work with builders to raised optimize apps for flip cellphone cowl screens, similar to continuity, resizing sure UI parts, devoted widgets/panels, and extra.
In fact, the Pixel Flip would leverage Google’s glorious software program/AI and digicam capabilities. Motorola has Look & Discuss on the Razr, which helps you to look on the cellphone whereas folded in tent or stand mode to activate Moto AI. Google may use one thing related with Gemini Stay, leveraging what it is realized from Elevate to Discuss with the Pixel Watch 4 to let customers leap straight right into a dialog with its AI chatbot.
Google would additionally make the strongest case for retaining a dual-camera setup on a flip cellphone. Pixel telephones have confirmed to deal with digital zooming higher than most different telephones, and whereas many want to see telephoto lenses on flip telephones, a Pixel Flip would not want it.
Principally, Google may supply the most effective of each worlds between the Motorola Razr and the Galaxy Z Flip, with a mature UI, robust software program help, a purposeful cover-screen expertise, versatile cameras, and extra. Now that Google appears to have discovered its stride with the Fold collection, it ought to shift a few of that focus to creating the most effective flip cellphone it might probably.
