Leaked Sources point to Google Pixel 5a, a foldable Pixel

NEW MEMBER IN PIXEL SERIES

The leak of a new member in Google’s 2020 Pixel lineup. According to the indoor Android document reviewed by 9to5Google gives us our first glimpse of what to expect next year from Google. If considering the source of the document, Google is developing Android builds for Pixel 5a, a foldable Pixel, and a minimum of two other first-party devices.

CODENAMES FOR NEW MEMBERS

The document lists build of Google’s mobile OS for all publicly-launched Pixels since Pixel 2, including Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a 5G, Pixel 5, the as-yet-unannounced Google Pixel 5a (seemingly codenamed barbette), and three other in-development devices with codenames “raven,” “oriole,” and “passport.” (The document also notes that these codenames may differ from those utilized in AOSP, which Android fans know are generally named after fish.)

It’s possible that “raven” and “oriole” might be “Pixel 6” models (the document doesn’t specify), but the third device, “passport” is explicitly mentioned as being a “foldable.” All three are labeled as “Q4 2021,” which might be an early indication that a Pixel foldable smartphone is advancing toward becoming a retail product.

Was Under Watch Before too

Back in 2019 CNET, the leader in technological review, stated that Google is working on a foldable Pixel. But on the other hand Pixel’s head at the time Mario Queiroz only explicitly confirmed that the corporate was “prototyping the technology,” adding at the time that Google had been doing that “for an extended time”. At the time he said he didn’t think “there’s a transparent use case yet,” adding, “Right now, you don’t get to have a foldable. It’s quite a ‘nice-to-have.’”

According to the document Pixel, 4a (5G), and Pixel 5 are set for reveal in October. Adding Google’s notable Pixel 4a delay. Not ending in this, there is explicit mention by name of the Pixel 5a and an associated launch timeframe of Q2 2021. That device — which recently appeared in AOSP for the primary time — is additionally further described as a “lower end midyear device.”

Can we Expect all Products of the Document?

While this internal document do point on the future Pixel launches and also have mentions of the future works. Its primary purpose is for Android development. As a result, it’s going to not mirror the concrete plans of Google’s hardware team. Inside of document, taking an example of codenamed “muskie” (an axed Pixel 2 XL prototype), making clear that not all devices on the list make it to production at all. Though Google said it doesn’t discuss rumors or speculation.