In a few months, Google will roll out the successors of the highly acclaimed Pixel and Pixel XL. Information about the upcoming devices has surfaced online in the past few months, so we already have an idea of what to expect.
In this post, we’re going to take a look at all the rumors and leaks we’ve seen about the Pixel 2 (codenamed Walleye) and Pixel 2 XL (codename Taimen) so far, so you can gain a better perspective on Google’s next-gen premium phones.
Design
The Pixel and Pixel XL are great devices, but they are by no means perfect. For example, the two products have been criticized for their generic look, but this year Google wants to remedy things. At least while the Pixel 2 XL is concerned.
According to a recent leak by the Android Police, the Pixel 2 XL will boast a design similar to the Samsung Galaxy S8 and LG G6. This means the product will be tall, narrow and feature an 18:9 aspect ratio, as well as really slim bezels all around. However, unlike the Galaxy S8, the Pixel 2 XL won’t feature a curved display but a flat one.
We’re also told the Pixel 2 XL will feature a 6-inch AMOLED display and an allegedly a squeezable frame just like the one implemented in the HTC U11. It will be manufactured by LG.
What about the standard Pixel 2? Unfortunately, according to what we heard so far, the Pixel 2 is going to look very much like last year’s device. The xda-developers reported a while back that the Pixel 2 will be “almost identical” to its predecessor arriving with a 5-inch display with 1080p resolution. Additionally, the phone is said to arrive sans the headphone jack, but with stereo speakers onboard. Like last year, the Pixel 2 is said to be manufactured by HTC.
27/07/2017 Update: Google Pixel 2 and Pixel XL 2 digital renders based on CAD designs leaked. A video in which they guest star has also been put together by MySmart Price. Notice how much larger the Pixel XL 2 seems compared to the Pixel 2. And that the two phones don’t feature a 3.5mm headphone jack.
And in accordance with recent leaks, the Pixel 2 sports chunkier bezels while the Pixel 2 XL enjoys more minimal ones.
02/08/2017 Update: Mobile Fun is now offering a series of Olixar protective cases for the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. Confirming latest reports, these case renders show that Google will be dropping the 3.5mm headphone jack this year.
However, according to the images the Pixel 2 will also feature a modern design with thin bezels akin to the Pixel 2 XL. Previous rumors have claimed the standard Pixel 2 will feature a design similar to this year’s Pixel.
08/16/2017 Update: The Google Pixel 2 was spotted passing through the FCC. The filing, which included screenshots of the phone’s setting menu, revealed some interesting details like the fact that the Pixel 2 (and Pixel 2 XL) will include a feature similar to the Edge Sense on the HTC U11. We heard this before, but now we get the much needed confirmation. The feat will be called “Active Edge” and will allow users to squeeze their phone to trigger the Google Assistant, among other things.
The FCC info also reveal the phone will come with Android 8.0.1 pre-installed (the current Android O Developer Preview is at 8.0) and will come with 64GB of native storage onboard. A detail which indicates that the base Pixel 2 model will feature 64GB of storage, not 32GB like this year. Oh and we also get confirmation the smaller Pixel 2 will be built by HTC.
08/16/2017 Update: Take a look at this very high-res renders of Google’s upcoming Pixel 2 which are based on CAD blueprints and leaked images. The color options are just speculative, so when Google announces the phone we might not see a Pixel 2 with a very bright red paint job.
18/09/2017 Update: The Google Pixel 2 is set to be unveiled during an official event on October 4 and will be the first handset to come incorporating Google Lens.
What is Google Lens? The feature which was unveiled at the Google I/O 2017 is a smart system which uses the phone’s camera to identify objects through the viewfinder. Lens can recognize things like artwork, barcodes, books, buildings, landmarks, media covers, movies, paintings, places, points of interest, statues or video games.
On top of that Google Lens can add contacts from a business card, do a language translation, look up product info, open web addressed in a browser, save dates to calendar from a poster. Pretty neat isn’t it?
Read more about Google Lens in our in-depth article here.
Specs
A recent report indicates the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL will be the first to carry the new Snapdragon 836 processor, just like the previous models were the first to include the Snapdragon 821.
The Snapdragon 836 is allegedly a revised version of the Snapdragon 835 optimized to offer 10% more speed, shoot better pictures and consume less power. It will also be a tad smaller than the current chipset.
Alongside the Snapdragon 836, the two Pixel 2s will probably also include at least 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. Although we might see additional variants with more RAM and storage too.
When it comes to cameras, it doesn’t seem Google will adhere to the dual camera trend this year (something which is visible in the Pixel 2 XL render). However, we expect the two Pixel 2s to include a magnificent camera. Last year’s models scored the highest DxOMark rating with 89 points, before being dethroned by the HTC U11.
Unlike the current Pixels, the next-generation models are expected to be water and dust resistant bearing either IP67 or IP68 certification.
As for software, the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL will be the first phones to make a debut with Android O onboard. By the way, Google just released the last Android O Developer Preview this week, signaling the public release is closing in fast.
09/08/2017 Update: 9to5Google recently published a report about the smaller Pixel 2, which seems to corroborate previous rumors we’ve heard about the phone. Google’s next flagship will indeed arrive with a design similar to last year’s Pixel, meaning it will still retain the chunky bezels. It will come with a 4.97-inch 1080p panel and won’t have a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Two independent sources have also confirmed for 9to5Google that both Pixel 2 models will come with improved water and dust resistance (probably IP68 rated).
We’re also told the Pixel 2 will have an always-on option for the ambient display. One source provided an image of the phone with the ambient display turned on but in order to protect the anonymity of the source most of the image had to be blurred out. But according to the textual description, there a new line sitting below the time and date, as well as an alarm (if one is set).
Furthermore, the report reveals Google Lens will make an official debut on the Pixel 2 which will most likely run Android 8.1 Oreo at launch.
And yeah, the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL will see the light of day on October 5, just as @evleaks originally tweeted.
Price
Last year, Google took the world by surprise when it announced how much the Pixels were going to cost. Unlike the affordable Nexus family, the Pixels were bound to break the piggy bank.
The Pixel with 32GB of storage launched with a $649 price tag, while the 128GB version sold for $749. The Pixel XL cost even more with 32GB model retailing for $769 and the 128GB version for a hefty $869.
While prices for the upcoming Pixel 2 devices haven’t leaked yet, we hope the two models will be priced more affordably. Or at least the standard Pixel 2.
When can we expect them?
Traditionally Google unveils new hardware products in the fall. The Pixel and Pixel XL debuted in October, so we can assume the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL will make an appearance around the same time period.
