The Google Pixel foldable phone is scheduled to be released in the fourth quarter of 2022, other foldable devices from Oppo, Vivo and Xiaomi are also in development.

The popularity of foldable phones is steadily growing, but they are not yet in widespread use. Now, Ross Young, chief executive of industry organization Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC), has shared the takeaway from the firm’s upcoming report, which outlines a range of activities in the foldable space. Among the key takeaways is Google’s long-awaited foldable phone, which Yang says is now in active development and could be launched by the end of 2022.

Google Pixel Fold and more: what to expect

Production of the Google Pixel foldable phones will begin in the third quarter of 2022, with a potential launch by the end of the year, according to Yang. Other industry reports corroborate similar information, suggesting that Google is preparing to add more features to bring Android to foldable devices. Back at I/O 2018, the company said it would be working on enabling support for foldable smartphones in Android, and recent reports suggested the presence of such code in the Android 13 developer beta.

The Pixel foldable phone is speculated to cost around $1,400. While this is far from the affordable prices that could bring the devices to the mass market, they are still cheaper than Samsung’s flagship smartphone, the Galaxy Z Fold. It could also mean that more foldable phones at lower prices could come out next year, with the Pixel Fold serving as a benchmark of sorts.

DSCC’s Yang also stated that other foldable smartphones to be released this year could include a second such device from Oppo, two foldable phones from Vivo and a new one from Xiaomi. Oppo recently unveiled its Find N, which aims to make the hinges of foldable phones stronger and the creases along the fold less noticeable. However, while critics hailed it for its premium feel, the chunky chunky build didn’t exactly make it a big upgrade in terms of actual use.

Young also stated that the upcoming DSCC report on foldable devices could provide details on what Apple thinks about foldable phones. Previous reports, including predictions made by Yang himself, have suggested that the foldable iPhone may hit the market as early as 2023, and more realistically as early as 2024. It will be interesting to see if the upcoming DSCC report holds any other surprise.