Google raises the temperature of Samsung with its future phones

Details about all of Google’s upcoming Pixel smartphones have been leaked, thanks to a new report from Google Android Authority. The company’s smartphone launch strategy for 2023, 2024 and 2025 has been revealed. According to the publication, Google may launch as many as fifteen smartphones over the next three years.

Interestingly, Google is planning to launch foldable devices as well, including a side-by-side foldable and foldable clamshell, which will go directly against the Galaxy Z Flip series and Galaxy Z Fold series. This means that Samsung will not only have to compete with Google on the non-foldable smartphone front but also in the world of foldable smartphones in the coming years.

Google plans to launch a Galaxy Z Fold competitor in H1 2023

Google plans to release two smartphones in April/May 2023. One of them will be the Pixel 7A, codenamed “Lynx”. This phone, as you might have guessed, will be a more affordable alternative to the Pixel 7. According to the report, the Pixel 7A will have the same price as the Pixel 6A: $449.

The second device will be the Pixel Fold, a side-by-side foldable smartphone similar to the Galaxy Z Fold 4. This device is codenamed “Felix,” and according to the report, it will be priced at $1,799, which would put it in direct competition with the Galaxy Z Fold lineup. Unfortunately, details about its specifications are scarce at the moment.

Pixel 8 series is coming in H2 2023

In fall 2023, Google plans to release the Pixel 8 lineup. Similar to this year’s Pixels, the Pixel 8 will have two devices, the Pixel 8, codenamed “Shiba,” and the Pixel 8 Pro, codenamed “Husky.”

While the Pixel 8 Pro will have the same screen size and dimensions as the Pixel 7 Pro, Google will reportedly shrink the screen size and overall form factor of the Pixel 8, which means it could clash directly with the Galaxy S23. Both Pixel 8 series phones are said to have a chipset codenamed “Puma,” and you can expect Google to market this SoC as the Tensor G3.

Google may or may not launch the Pixel 8A in H1 2024

In the first half of 2024, we could see the launch of the Pixel 8A, codenamed ‘Akita’. However, Google may only release this smartphone if it notices good success with the Pixel 7A. Else, the company may cancel the plan to launch the device.

Apparently, Google is also considering launching its Pixel A-series smartphones once every two years instead of launching one every year. If the brand launches the Pixel 8A, it will be priced at $499, which would be $50 more expensive than its predecessor.

The Pixel 9 series could arrive in H2 2024 with three phones

It is said that the Pixel 9 series will arrive in the fall of 2024, and interestingly, it will contain three phones, and this group will look like the iPhone series of phones from Apple.

There will be the Pixel 9, which will be similar to the iPhone 14. Then there will be the Pixel 9 Pro — codenamed “Caiman” — as the iPhone 14 Pro. The third device – codenamed “Komodo” – will be in the league of iPhone 14 Pro Max. All three phones will come with a “Redondo” chipset, and Google will likely call it the Tensor G4.

Besides, Google could also launch a successor to the Pixel Fold. Reportedly, it will only talk about the second-generation foldable after seeing consumer response to the Felix.

Google’s Galaxy Z Flip competitor could come in 2025

Google’s 2025 smartphone lineup could be greatly affected by the success or failure of its 2023 and 2024 devices. But more importantly, Google is planning to launch a clamshell foldable smartphone in 2025, which could directly conflict with the Galaxy Z Flip series.

Google’s foldable phone is likely to launch alongside the Pixel 10 lineup, which will have three devices. The first will be the Pixel 10, which will be the primary variant in the lineup. There will be two Pixel 10 Pro models, one with a smaller screen size and one with a larger screen size.

However, Google may also abandon its plan to launch a clamshell Pixel phone, and in this case, the company could launch four non-foldable Pixel phones, which will include the Pixel 10 in small and large sizes and the Pixel 10 Pro in small and large sizes. This strategy, again, will be similar to Apple’s.

Therefore, it seems that the Google smartphones that will be launched in 2023, 2024 and 2025 will be heavily influenced by the current lineup of flagship devices from Apple and Samsung. Most importantly, Google will be competing with Samsung on many fronts in the near future, and if Samsung wants to be ahead in the race, it must definitely up its game.