Google ’s very first creation of its own range of smartphones, the Google Pixel and Pixel XL took the tech industry by storm and rightly so. Ever since the launch the user reviews and reports have been satisfactory and both of it are considered as great devices. The HTC manufactured high-end smartphones have been praised for the incredible camera, great build quality and Android software. Simultaneously, it has also been criticised in areas of generic design and water resistance which people hoped Google ’s very first creation of its own range of smartphones, the Google would address in their forthcoming devices.
Rumours started surfacing around that Google will launch the new set of Pixel phones later this year which was followed by the confirmation from Rick Osterioh, Senior Vice President of Google’s hardware that there will be a launch of a new Pixel this year. Though he did not go to any further details other than the said information.
It was not long enough that multiple rumours started doing rounds among the masses regarding Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL and we decided to have a look on them as a whole –
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Dateline
As of now, there have not been many speculations about the date of the launch but going by the dateline of Google Pixel and Pixel XL which happens to be October 2016, a 2017 October launch of the new Google phones can be roughly expected.
How Many?
Initially rumours claimed, Google just like last year will come up two Pixel devices this year. The smaller device was codenamed “Walleye” and the larger XL went with “Muskie moniker” as well as there was reports about a third device (code) namely “Taimen” which happens to be even more larger than Pixel XL having a 5.99 inch-screen. Although, if the latest leaks are to be trusted, Google have cancelled the three devices plan and will only produce two smartphones. According to “Android Police” the Muskie device has been scrapped.
Design and Display
There is yet to be any particular design for the Pixel 2 but the very first look of the Pixel XL 2 showcased a design almost similar to Pixel XL with a complete metal and glass back but having a smaller glass window and the fingerprint scanner located on the metal along with smaller bezels. But the very recent leak contradicts the previous rumours and says that the front bezels are not much thinner than seen on the current Google Pixel phones. It is so believed that both the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel XL 2 are similar in quite a few ways, both possessing a rear-facing fingerprint scanner with a 3.5mm headphone port. Now, other news that come from sources which claims to have final designs, holds, that the headphone port has been completely done away with. There were also rumours about a waterproof design for the new devices as a Senior Editor at 9to5Google claimed that a source mentioned, the devices will be dunkable.
Screen
Multiple rumours and news surrounded around the ideas of the screen. One such said, Google Pixel 2 may have a curved display. There is news about Google ordering curved OLED screens with the LG Display Company which suggests that Google might actually introduce the curve screens. A latest rumour even goes on to saying that LG might even be the maker behind one of the phones. Few benchmarks appeared on the Web shows one of the Pixel phones having a 5.6-inch 18:9 screen and a 2,560 x 1,312 resolution. The aspect ratio would actually make the screen super wide and the resolution might help in Google Daydream. Another source opines that the Pixel 2 will have the 4.97 inch-screen and that the larger device will have a 5.99 inch-screen. Some other news suggests it will have the AMOLED screen supplied by LG. Other heard rumours says the screen might have an always-on function, so the time and notification can be looked up at a glance and it will come with customizable settings which will include a “Vivid Colors” mode.
Specs and OS
It is a no-brainer that just like their forerunner the Pixel 2 and Pixel XL 2 will offer high-end specs. Latest rumours has it that they will be the first phones to have a Snapdragon 836 chipset which will provide 10% increase of performance than Snapdragon 835 and will have an even more improved battery life. About the storage factor, Pixel 2’s FCC filling surfaced and probably confirmed that the phone will mostly have a 64GB storage but there are reports about improvements so we can see expect to see larger options. It will also have 4GB RAM and few benchmarks specs that have appeared on the web also talks about the usage of Android O as well as having a 128GB storage. But we have to take all of this with a grain of salt currently till there are official confirmations. It is also rumoured the phones will be dust and water resistant and is presumed to be either IP67 or IP68 rated, or to be clear, it can be submerged 1 to 1.5 metres of water for 30 minutes which is much better than the current Pixel which is rated IP53.
Camera
Yet another source claims that the new Pixel phones will come up with a much better battery. Google might not follow the footsteps of its contemporaries like LG, OnePlus etc and may deviate from the dual-camera setup at the back. Few images have surfaced which showed the Pixel 2 and Pixel XL 2 having two different camera cut-outs hence the two phones might have different cameras. One of this models show a 12MP rear camera with a 4K video capacity and a 7MP rear camera.
Battery Life
The battery life going by all the news and rumours are expected to be better and if the Snapdragon 836 update is true it surely will be that way. Other than this the battery has not been that talked about but it is like to be around 2,770 mAh in Pixel 2 and 3,450 mAh in Pixel XL 2.
Pricing
The last two Google’s launches with the Pixel being $649 (32GB) and $749 (128GB) while the Pixel XL was retailed for $769 (32GB) and $869 (128GB). A lot of people considered the high pricing as a con and expected the new set of phones to be affordable than the last ones but the Pixel 2 and Pixel XL2 is most likely to carry a premium price tag and will have a almost same or more price tag.
Additional Features
The XDA-Developers, holds the opinion that Pixel 2 and Pixel XL 2 might come up with an Always On Ambient Display Mode.
The Pixel 2 will also have the squeeze-friendly frame or “Active Edge” and the Pixel XL 2 will come with the squeezable sides feature much like the HTC UC11 if the FCC regulatory filing is news is authentic. These features would allow the user to launch the Google Assistant regardless of the screen being on or off and can also be used for various other features.
Even with all the news, rumours, updates, speculations floating around all over the place everything is yet to be confirmed.
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