Google’s “Jumbojack” prototype goes on sale, taking us back to Pixel Fold’s roots،
The cover image shows the Pixel folding
When the Pixel Fold leaks began, rumors swirled about two internal Google prototypes for foldable phones: “Passport” and “Jumbojack.” This week, the “Jumbojack” foldable Pixel, which was spotted in 2021, reportedly resurfaced, and someone put it on sale. Leaker Mishaal Rahman (via Android Font) posted images on X from an online listing of what is claimed to be the “Jumbojack” prototype. The images feature large frames with a distinctive-looking selfie camera cutout.
This would be a “jumbojack”, a prototype used by Google to test the Android software experience on foldables before having working Pixel Fold prototypes. The hardware is Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 2 while the software is Android 12L.
Someone bad put this up for sale online pic.twitter.com/9GbTWj1CU4
– Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) February 14, 2024
Rahman points out that this device appears to be a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 with thicker bezels at the top and bottom of the screen. This design gives the foldable a resemblance to the Pixel folding, which was finally released two years later, with a particularly thick upper and lower border. It seems Google had a vision of how its foldable would look during this time and adjusted Samsung's hardware for its testing. Interestingly, the listed phone runs Android 12L, Google's half-step version designed specifically for foldable and larger-screen devices.
Rahman does not specify the sale location of the leaked Galaxy Z Fold 2 Pixel folding hybrid prototype, but it is advisable not to make the purchase anyway. Google can probably shut down these devices remotely and go with an officially released version Pixel folding with Android 14 software would probably be a better choice.
This is the second Pixel folding-related leak in recent days. While one takes us to the past, the other looks to the future. Just recently, a purported photo of the Pixel Fold 2 surfaced, revealing a redesigned camera module, a narrower cover screen, and a more square-shaped internal display.
However, if you are looking forward to the Pixel Fold 2, you may have to wait a little longer. The latest rumor suggests that Google delayed its release to integrate the new Tensor G4 chip.
