Pixel Fold: Google's US$1,799 foldable sports camera hardware from as far back as 2017

Google debuted the Pixel Fold last month. The first-gen foldable has received mostly positive reviews, bar the odd incident. While it's not positioned as a camera-centric device, the Pixel Fold still delivers solid camera performance, seemingly in spite of its camera hardware, details of which have now been revealed.

As revealed by Max Weinbach, citing Kamila Wojciechowska, the Pixel Fold sports Sony's IMX787 as its main camera. The IMX787 is a 64 MP camera also used on the new Pixel 7a but is listed at 48 MP on the Pixel Fold, hinting at cropping. The telephoto sensor on the Fold is listed as the S5K3J1, a 10 MP 1/3.24" sensor that also saw use beneath the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra's zoom lenses. The S5K3J1 also doubles up as the Pixel Fold's outer screen selfie camera.

Beneath the Pixel Fold's ultra-wide-angle lens sits a Sony IMX386, a rather ancient 12 MP sensor used on devices like Xiaomi's Mi Mix 2 and Mi 6. Lastly, an IMX355 takes up the role of the inner screen's selfie shooter. For some perspective, it debuted back in 2018 as the Pixel 3 and 3 XL's selfie camera.

Considering the Pixel Fold's huge US$1,799 MSRP, enthusiasts may find the camera hardware present a tad...disappointing. The main camera looks to be the only competitive sensor onboard, with the CMOS sensors on the foldable being rather outdated. That's become something of a trend with Google's smartphones, however.

Pre-order the Google Pixel Fold on Amazon.