Google I/O 2023 Introduces Pixel Fold, Pixel 7A, and Pixel Tablet

Google I/O 2023 Introduces Pixel Fold, Pixel 7A, and Pixel Tablet

News by Roberto Orosa
Published: May 11, 2023

Google’s Pixel Fold finally made its much-anticipated debut in this year’s Google I/O keynote presentation, where it was revealed to be its “thinnest phone yet.” 

As it turns out, most of the leaks and rumors surrounding it were true: Google’s new flagship foldable phone will run on a Tensor G2 processor, can expand from a 5.8-inch screen phone to a 7.6-inch screen tablet, and retails for $1799. 

The premium smartphone also houses new AI and Android-powered features.  

One includes the “tabletop mode,” which allows users to place the Pixel Fold 90-degrees on a surface and make it an instant tripod when taking pictures or videos. As seen in the live demo, Tabletop mode also lets users watch videos on the top half, with the bottom half allocated for playback controls.  

The Pixel Fold also lets users switch between screens or use both at once. During the demo, the foldable phone was seen to seamlessly expand videos from a single screen into a full-screen view.  

In the full-screen display, users can also opt to use “Split Screen Mode” by dragging an icon from the Android taskbar into one side of the expanded screen. This lets them chat while watching videos, expand their keyboard, or view notifications and settings at the same time. 

When two people are chatting in real-life in different languages, the Pixel Fold also contains an AI-powered Dual Screen Interpreter Mode where translations of their conversations will be flashed on the screen in their native dialect.  

Get connected with the right AI companies for your project.
GET STARTED

Lastly, the Pixel Fold allows users to switch between viewfinders with the click of a button, so they can utilize the phone’s exterior camera and take high-quality selfies while being able to view how they would look like in the picture.  

Preorders for the foldable phone start today, May 10. Orders will be shipped next month alongside a complimentary Pixel Watch for its customers in the U.S., U.K., and Germany.  

Google Unveils New Pixel Tablet 

Alongside the Pixel Fold, Google also announced the Pixel Tablet – the company’s official entry into the tablet market, rivaling Apple’s iPad and Samsung’s Galaxy Tab.  

Based on its new features, the tablet is designed to function well on-hand or at home. Starting with the basics, the Pixel Tablet will run on a Tensor G2 processor with Titan M2, have three far-field optimized microphones, an 8-megapixel front and back camera, an 11-inch display with 2560x1600 resolution, and up to 12 hours of video streaming. 

While these features seem standard for today’s modern tablets, Google’s Pixel Tablet stands out with its “first-of-its-kind" charging speaker dock.  

When connected to the dock, the tablet can turn into a digital photo frame, a smart home controller, a voice- activated helper, and a shared entertainment device that plays its audio from the dock itself.  

The Pixel Tablet also leans towards being a shared family device rather than a personal tablet. 

With a new home panel feature, family members can easily switch between their different accounts on the tablet and access their own downloaded apps.  

As per the demo, family members can choose to set up passwords for their accounts – the company’s way of ensuring user privacy despite being a family-shared device.   

It’s also the first tablet to have Chromecast built into it, so users can access controls to the tablet straight from their smartphones. 

The Pixel Tablet will retail for $499, which compared to the latest iPad Pro, is cheaper by around $300.  Preorders start today, May 10, and will be shipped starting June 20.  

Google Continues ‘A’ Series with Pixel 7A 

(Source: Google I/O 2023)

During the I/O event, Google also unveiled the new Pixel 7A - the latest entry in its “A” series of Pixel phones. 

Similar to the Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet, Pixel 7A runs on the flagship Google Tensor G2 Chip paired with 8GB of RAM.  

One of its notable changes from its predecessor is its upgraded camera, with 13-megapixel ultrawide and selfie cameras, and a 72% bigger main camera sensor compared to Pixel 6A. “7A takes the crown from 6A as the highest-rated camera in its class,” the company explained during the event.  

While most of its other features appear similar to its predecessor, 7A’s $499 retail price makes it the affordable alternative to the Pixel Fold, marketed towards smartphone users just looking to have a phone that’s easy on their wallet. 

Share your thoughts with us on Twitter and LinkedIn!

Subscribe to Spotlight Newsletter
Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest industry news