The fourth Pixel 9
- Pixel 9 – codename “tokay”
- Pixel 9 Pro – codename “caiman”
- Pixel 9 Pro XL – codename “komodo”
- Pixel 9 Pro Fold – codename “comet”
These names have also been confirmed by some of the software built for Google’s 2024 devices.
It’s worth mentioning that Google referred to the device codename “comet” as the “Pixel Fold 2” until a relatively recent point in development. It’s entirely possible that the “Pixel 9 Pro Fold” name isn’t final, either. However, it is what Google is using at the moment.
Is a Pixel 9 Pro Fold rename is a good move for Google?
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Will Google treat the Pixel 9 Pro Fold like a proper flagship?
If Google follows through and releases the next-generation foldable as a full-fledged member of the Pixel 9 series, it would mark a complete 180 from the first-generation Pixel Fold.
The first Pixel Fold (2023) was an unfortunate device: it was announced at Google I/O, on May 10th, 2023, making it what Google internally calls a “midyear” device. That was probably the first sign that Google, perhaps, wasn’t treating the Fold as a proper flagship release, like it undoubtedly should have, given the eye-watering price of $1,799. Google typically releases Pixel products at two major events each year: the fall event, where flagship Pixel phones are the headline, and Google I/O in spring, where we typically see less high-profile handsets, such as the Pixel A series.
The Pixel Fold felt like a late spin-off of the Pixel 7. Fine for something like the Pixel 7a, but inexcusable for a $1,800 flagship.
Ryan Haines / Android Authority
If Google decides to go forward with the new name, it could mean it wants to more closely integrate the next Fold into its flagship tier, rather than leaving it as a separate, niche, and overpriced device that has felt like a bit of an afterthought compared to other devices in Google’s lineup.
We’ve already seen one way in which Google is doing just this. As revealed before by Android Authority, the second-gen Pixel Fold will skip the Tensor G3 and use a new Tensor G4 chip instead. That alone addresses one of the major issues with the original Pixel Fold. Additionally, the leaked renders show that the design of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is closer to that of other Pixel 9 devices, unlike the original Pixel Fold, which looked more like the Pixel 7 than the Pixel 8.
Interestingly, a move like this would also make Google the only manufacturer to integrate its foldable devices into the “main” family of devices. Other brands make completely separate lineups of foldable smartphones, such as Samsung’s Galaxy Z or Motorola’s Razr. It would show Google’s dedication by making its foldable an option when buying a flagship Pixel, rather than a separate choice that feels like a different device.
The next Pixel Fold has a lot to prove
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