Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL) officially announced the release of the Google Pixel 2. Google’s Senior Vice President of hardware, Rick Osterloh, attended the Mobile World Congress last week and confirmed the upcoming flagship will release later this year.
The company’s hardware department revealed that the Pixel 2 is under development, although it is not clear when the handset would hit the shelves of if Google is using the same partners at Huawei to produce the smartphone.
“You can count on a successor this year, even if you don’t hear a date from me now,” said Osterlohto Android Pit during the conference, hinting that the release date will follow the typical rhythm of the smartphone industry.
Google launched last years’ Pixel and Pixel XL flagship handsets in October. If the tech giant follows the expected 12-month release cycle then the Pixel 2 could hit the stores in October 2017, seven months from now.
Google Pixel 2 concept. Source: Benjamin Gaskin
The pixel stays premium
The Google Pixel handset will not follow a similar direction as the Nexus line, which combined high-end features with an affordable price range. Instead, the Pixel line will remain premium and expensive as Osterloh confirmed that “Pixel stays premium.”
The Pixel and Pixel XL are in the same price category as Apple’s iPhone 7 Plus and Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge range. More so, with the expected price rises of the iPhone 8 and Galaxy S8 coming out in 2017, the Pixel 2 and the reported Pixel 2 XL will be even more expensive than last year.
The price tag replaces the affordable Nexus line-up, but while Nexus models had several compromises, the Pixel phones offer only top-notch pieces and technologies.
Pixel is Android truly a premium model, and it is capable of taking the battle to Apple, Samsung, and come out ahead. Particularly, the Pixel’s cameras were praised as the best smartphone cameras of all time.
What we know so far
The Pixel XL might be the first phone to come out with the upcoming Android 8.0 Oreo. However, the new version of Google’s mobile OS is yet to be confirmed.
While Osterloh did not reveal the specs of the Pixel 2, rumors suggest Google is working with Qualcomm and Intel to decide upon CPU. Furthermore, Intel is including a special technology in the Pixel 2, but details about the addition are yet to come.
2016’s Pixel devices reached the high-end market and matched flagships from the likes of LG, Huawei, Apple, and Samsung. The 2017 version will receive improvements in storage, RAM, processor, and camera. Google should also slim down the Pixel’s top and bottom bezels.
The Pixel 2 should also address the shortcomings of the first version. The success of tits predecessor came with extended periods of shortages that consumers and retailers hope Google will grip this year.