Following last week's launch of the Android O public beta, we're
edging ever closer to the new operating system's final release. And that
means one thing: Google needs a cool new device on which to showcase
it.
Actually, there could be three devices: two phones and a tablet. Three codenames have been thrown around - 'Walleye', 'Muskie' and 'Taimen' - with the latter thought to be the tablet.
The upcoming Pixel 2 is thought to be a Snapdragon 835-powered smartphone(s) with a curved screen. It could look something like this:
Rick Osterloh, Google's Senior Vice President of Hardware, has also confirmed that the Pixel will get a successor in 2017.
Early rumours suggest HTC is once again in position to make the phones, but we'll update this article when we know more.
We now know that Google I/O will be held 17-19 May 2017, during which time it will more than likely unveil a developer preview of its forthcoming Android operating system, Android O. This is important because the company has always used its annual phone releases as the launch vehicles for the final version of its latest operating system.
Allowing for a good few months of Android O betas prior to the final release, Google phones are traditionally unveiled in late-September/early-October. The current Pixel and Pixel XL were announced at a special event on 5 October 2016, and went on sale on 20 October. We'd expect a similar time frame for the Google Pixel 2.
When it switched its phone line branding from Nexus to Pixel in 2016, Google moved away from high-value devices and toward more premium phones. The cheapest Pixel today costs £599, while the cheapest Pixel XL costs £719.
9to5Google suggests we should expect at least a $50 increase on this due to improvements it is making to the camera and adding waterproofing.
However, the same source also suggests Google is experimenting with a cheaper, lower-specified Pixel 2B that it hopes to launch at the same time or shortly after the Pixel 2 in emerging markets. If it goes ahead there is no guarantee we will see this cheaper Pixel in the UK.
Actually, there could be three devices: two phones and a tablet. Three codenames have been thrown around - 'Walleye', 'Muskie' and 'Taimen' - with the latter thought to be the tablet.
The upcoming Pixel 2 is thought to be a Snapdragon 835-powered smartphone(s) with a curved screen. It could look something like this:
Will the 2017 Google phone be a Nexus or a Pixel?
Hiroshi Lockheimer, Google's head of Android, told Bloomberg last October that while the company wasn't closing the door completely on Nexus it didn't currently have plans for any Nexus devices. Based on this alone we would suggest the next Google phone is a Pixel rather than a Nexus.Rick Osterloh, Google's Senior Vice President of Hardware, has also confirmed that the Pixel will get a successor in 2017.
Who will make the Pixel 2?
It's too early to know who will be making the Google Pixel 2. In the past we've seen Google phones manufactured by LG, HTC, Huawei, Samsung and Motorola. The maker of the new Google phone could be any of these partners, but equally it could be a brand-new hardware partner.Early rumours suggest HTC is once again in position to make the phones, but we'll update this article when we know more.
When is the Pixel 2 release date?
Google Senior Vice President of Hardware, Rick Osterloh, has confirmed that a Pixel 2 will arrive in 2017. "There is an annual rhythm in the industry. So, you can count on us to follow it," Osterloh said. "You can count on a successor this year, even if you don't hear a date from me now," Osterloh told Android Pit. Osterloh also said the Pixel 2 would retain its premium price.
We now know that Google I/O will be held 17-19 May 2017, during which time it will more than likely unveil a developer preview of its forthcoming Android operating system, Android O. This is important because the company has always used its annual phone releases as the launch vehicles for the final version of its latest operating system.
Allowing for a good few months of Android O betas prior to the final release, Google phones are traditionally unveiled in late-September/early-October. The current Pixel and Pixel XL were announced at a special event on 5 October 2016, and went on sale on 20 October. We'd expect a similar time frame for the Google Pixel 2.
How much will the new Google phone cost ?
Rick Osterloh has confirmed that Pixel will retain its premium pricing in 2017.When it switched its phone line branding from Nexus to Pixel in 2016, Google moved away from high-value devices and toward more premium phones. The cheapest Pixel today costs £599, while the cheapest Pixel XL costs £719.
9to5Google suggests we should expect at least a $50 increase on this due to improvements it is making to the camera and adding waterproofing.
However, the same source also suggests Google is experimenting with a cheaper, lower-specified Pixel 2B that it hopes to launch at the same time or shortly after the Pixel 2 in emerging markets. If it goes ahead there is no guarantee we will see this cheaper Pixel in the UK.
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