Google’s foldable “Jumbo Jack” apparently was the Galaxy Z Fold 2

The path leading up to Google’s launch of the first Pixel Fold last year was long and complicated, but as time goes on, things are slowly becoming clearer. This week saw the purported arrival of his 2021 “Jumbo Jack” Pixel foldable device, but it turned out to be a little different than expected.

In 2021, we reported that a new Pixel codename “Jumbo Jack” was added to the beta version of Android, which was later released as Android 12L. At the time, our Kyle Bradshaw reported that the device was being used to test foldable software. This includes Android’s native ability to detect the “position” of the foldable, such as when the foldable is half-open.

Documents we looked at showed Google explicitly calling the Pixel device a “jumbo jack,” but even at the time it was possible that this was simply a foldable software testing device. I believed it was sexual. And as it turns out, that’s probably exactly what happened.

It seems that “Jumbo Jack” has appeared on online sales sites. Mishal Rahman posted on Twitter/X. Although the actual listing is not shown, images of the device show the codename “Jumbo Jack” in the settings menu for Android 12L builds. This doesn’t fully confirm that this is actually the device Google was testing in 2021, but it seems unlikely to be counterfeit.

Assuming this is that device, it’s actually quite interesting to see the hardware since this isn’t a custom prototype. The placement of the camera cutout, hinge hardware, and some of the color peeking out from the side (see header) makes it clear that this is a repurposed Galaxy Z Fold 2. The foldable device that Samsung released in 2020 is a device that was available to Google back when “jumbo jacks” were in use (just a few weeks before the code name Galaxy Z Fold appeared) 3 has been released).

The device runs the “stock” version of Android 12L used by the Pixel, with apps like Recorder and Safety installed. This also seems to be an earlier version, where the notification drawer is not split into two panels like in the final Android 12L release. “Stock” is not Technically That term is appropriate because Google has made changes to the Pixel’s software that aren’t in AOSP, but generally speaking, the experience on Pixel phones is as “stock” as today’s major smartphone releases. considered to be close.

One notable adjustment here seems to be to the bezel. The device appears to simulate larger bezels than what the Fold 2 actually had. The reason for this is unknown, but it’s possible that it was in preparation for the later release of the Pixel Fold that we got. The Pixel Fold has bezels on the inner display and has rounded corners compared to the Fold 2.

This isn’t the first time a Pixel prototype has been shown after several years. For example, back in 2021, his Pixel 2 XL prototype “Musky” made by HTC appeared on his eBay. But this time, the test device that Google codenamed as if it were a Pixel was actually just a repurposed Samsung phone, especially since the days of the Nexus are long gone. It’s quite surprising when you think about it.

Pixel fold details:

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