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Google confirms it’s developing a folding phone like Samsung’s postponed Galaxy Fold

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The excitement around the world’s first foldable smartphone was dampened when Samsung revealed its price and then doused altogether when the device’s release was postponed.

So it’s a great time for Google to sneak up behind its arch-rival and release the first must-have folding handset.

Last night at its I/O conference, Google unveiled new ‘affordable’ Pixel 3a phones as well as a new Nest Hub Max device.

But it also dropped a hint about future plans for phones which can unfold to reveal a large tablet screen.

‘We’re definitely prototyping the technology. We’ve been doing it for a long time,’ Mario Queiroz, Google’s Pixel development lead, told CNET.

However, Google did not confirm that the device was definitely going to be released.

‘I don’t think there’s a clear use case yet,’ Queiroz added. ‘Right now, you don’t need to have a foldable. It’s kind of a “nice-to-have”.’

Samsung delayed the release of its flagship £1,800 after review models dramatically broke down whilst being tested.

It took less than 24 hours with the futuristic device for it to start breaking, reviewers claimed, Samsung has responded to the issues with a curt statement saying it plans to ‘thoroughly’ inspect the busted review units.

‘A limited number of early Galaxy Fold samples were provided to media for review. We have received a few reports regarding the main display on the samples provided,’ the company said.

‘We will thoroughly inspect these units in person to determine the cause of the matter.’ Irrespective of the screen not working, several reviewers also peeled off a protective plastic layer that comes attached to the phone.

Apparently, you’re not supposed to do this.

It also includes six cameras – three on the rear, two on the inside and one on the front of the device. The Fold also appears to have space for more battery power.

It will contain a 4,380mAh battery – one of the largest available in a smartphone. ‘Separately, a few reviewers reported having removed the top layer of the display causing damage to the screen.

The main display on the Galaxy Fold features a top protective layer, which is part of the display structure designed to protect the screen from unintended scratches,’ Samsung continued. ‘Removing the protective layer or adding adhesives to the main display may cause damage.

We will ensure this information is clearly delivered to our customers.’ Aside from its broken screens, the Galaxy Fold contains features common in most flagship smartphones – including a fingerprint scanner in the side of the device.

 

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