Hidden icon found in Google Camera update suggests foldable Pixel is back in play

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The on-again-off-again saga of the Google Pixel Fold/Notepad (either name is possible) seems to be back thanks to a clue spotted in the recent Google Camera 8.6 update. This update consisted mostly of tweaks from Material You to the UI which placed some of the round buttons in the Fashions tab inside a large gray rectangular box. The buttons now change color to match the main tint of the wallpaper used by the user, as part of the Dynamic Color feature.
But the guys from 9to5Google dug into the update and discovered a new mode with the code name “Jupiter”. This mode will have a button to the left of the Switch Camera button which is used when a Pixel user wants to switch from taking photos and videos with the rear camera array to using the front camera for photos and videos. videos.

Hidden icon in Google Camera update points to possibility a foldable Pixel is in development

But the big news here is the icon for this feature which shows what appears to be a foldable phone (fold on the dotted line) with an arrow indicating the movement that would be required to close the device. What else could we be thinking here other than seeing this as a sign that the Pixel Fold or Notepad is still alive?

Nothing 9to5Google has found reveals what the “Jupiter” button does other than hide the Switch Camera button when pressed. This would seem to indicate that the “Jupiter” mode is the one that only works with the rear-facing cameras or the front-facing camera, since it covers the possibility of changing the camera used. Another possibility is that the mode displays previews from both cameras at the same time.

The Pixel Fold/Notepad could be back in play. The phone was expected to be powered by Google’s Tensor chipset and sport a 5.85-inch internal display. As a result, the foldable Pixel might look like the foldable Oppo Find N with its smaller internal display rather than the Galaxy Z Fold 4 which might feature a much larger 7.6-inch screen. We don’t want to forget that the Pixel Fold/Notepad’s rear camera array was supposed to include the same 12.2MP main camera and 16MP ultra-wide camera used on the Pixel 5 flagship.

Will Google unveil the Pixel Fold/Notepad with the Pixel 7 series in October?

The most popular foldables in the US include Samsung’s two foldable models and the Motorola RAZR. The Galaxy Z Fold opens like a book turning a 6.2-inch smartphone into a 7.6-inch tablet. The Galaxy Z Flip is a pocket-sized device that opens up to become a 6.7-inch smartphone. The RAZR has a form factor similar to the Galaxy Z Flip. Interestingly, 70% of Samsung’s Galaxy Z sales last year were generated by the Galaxy Z Flip 3.

Before the Pixel Fold/Notepad was rumored to be “off again” in May, the device was reportedly scheduled for mass production in the third quarter. Assuming Google has started working on the device again, there’s no reason not to expect that production schedule to remain the same. Seeking to undermine Samsung, Google was rumored to have decided earlier this year on an MSRP of $1,399 for the first foldable Pixel.

So will we have an October surprise? Will be Google pull a rabbit out of its hat by unveiling the Pixel 7 series? If you’re hoping for a foldable Pixel, cross your fingers.

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