Google Pixel 2: Release date, rumours and everything you need to know

by John_A

We’re into the cycle where all the phones of the year get updated – Samsung, LG, Sony and Huawei all launched new devices at Mobile World Congress or around it. Nokia also rejoined this list and HTC has revealed its latest.

Heading toward the end of 2017 we’ll see the update to the iPhone 8, the Galaxy Note 8 and Google’s new phone, which we’ll call the Pixel 2.

Rumours have already suggested that the Pixel 2 codenames might be Muskie, Walleye and Taimen, although the latest information suggests that one of these models – Muskie – has been dropped, leaving us with two new potential Pixel handsets for 2017.

Google Pixel 2: Design

Taimen = Pixel 2 XL; Walleye = Pixel 2
Could be HTC manufacture
LG might also be involved
Waterproofing likely to be included

Design is the thing that has probably divided people the most when it comes to the Pixel. Although the body is a high quality design, the top glass section has drawn a lot of criticism. It makes the phone a little different, making it distinctive so it sits apart from the iPhone and all of Android’s metal phones.

It was confirmed by Rick Osterloh, senior vice president of hardware at Google, that the Pixel 2 will still be a premium offering in 2017, providing the first bit of information on the new phones.

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Prior to the launch of the Pixel, it was rumoured that HTC had signed up to manufacture multiple devices across the next 3 years, so they might be the hardware partner once again. We’ve also recently seen a report that claims that some codenames were lurking in the HTC U11’s files which might point to HTC’s involvement with the new Pixel devices.

Reports coming from “sources familiar with the matter” talking to XDA suggest that the Taimen, the larger device, will keep the two-tone glass and metal design of the Pixel, although it won’t now house the fingerprint scanner. There’s no mention of where that might move to.

There is also talk of LG having something to do with the “Taimen” codenamed device, which is thought to be the new Pixel XL. This could be about build, but it might simply be that LG Display is providing the OLED display for the phone. At the moment it’s not clear if LG is building one and HTC the other, or exactly what the position is.

The fundamental failing of the Pixel is the lack of waterproofing: with many competitors offering protection, for the price that Google is asking the Pixel 2 needs to step up with a solid IP rating. That’s something that HTC added to the U11, so as a build partner, they now appear to have all the skills.

Waterproofing wsa apparently something that was attempted for the Pixel, but eventually dropped, but there’s an unconfirmed rumour that’s been mentioned to 9to5Google, shared via Twitter.

Little tidbit we were told in October last year that I forgot about: “Waterproofing definitely coming with next Pixel device.”

— Stephen Hall (@hallstephenj) January 25, 2017

Google Pixel 2: Display

Potential shift to 18:9 display
4.97 and 5.99-inch displays rumoured

With two Pixel models on offer giving you the choice of 5.0 or 5.5-inches, we’re not really looking for a huge change. We also wouldn’t expect a shift in resolution. The 2560 x 1440 pixels offered gives you the detail when magnified in a Daydream headset, it’s crisp and sharp in all things.

There are rumours of changing the display aspect, however, very much in the style of LG and Samsung’s 2017 flagships. The information is limited with a reported benchmark result suggesting a 5.6-inch screen with a 2560 x 1312 pixel resolution. However, this report isn’t corroborated anywhere, so it’s difficult to believe.

Taimen

However, the report from XDA suggests that the new Pixel XL 2 will have a 5.99-inch display, but only mentions a 1440p resolution. That could see a shift back to Nexus 6 sizes, or a be a shift in aspect: the Galaxy S8+ is 6.2-inch in 18.5:9, but has 2960 x 1440 pixels. Until we hear more, it’s difficult to discern the aspect. It’s either a huge phone, or jumping on the latest trend.

There is a little more information which is that the bezels are going to be smaller.

Walleye

The smaller phone is reported to have a 4.97-inch display. This is likely to come out as a 5-inch display meaning no great shift from the Pixel. In this case, the XDA report mentions that it’s “Full HD”, or 1920 x 1080 pixels, suggesting that this handset would be a regular 16:9 aspect, at least.

Google Pixel 2: Specs and hardware

Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 suggested

When it comes to power, the 2016 Pixel devices opted for a new chip – Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 – a step-up over most of 2016’s flagship phones. Qualcomm doesn’t stand still and the Snapdragon 835 is rolling out.

We’d expect the Snapdragon 835 to feature in the Pixel 2, supported by at least 4GB of RAM. With some companies pushing to 6GB, that may be a suggestion, although we’re yet to see any real demand for that sort of increase. That said, there has been talk of Google testing a couple of different chipsets from Qualcomm, Intel and even a custom chip. Rumour has it there may also be a Pixel 2B handset, which will apparently be cheaper with less powerful hardware.

The use of Snapdragon 835 is again reported by XDA from a source, so at the moment it seems the most likely.

We’d expect storage options to start at 32GB as they currently do and as Google has avoided microSD card support, we don’t think there will be any luck there.

We’d expect USB Type-C as the standard moving forward, as well as a fingerprint scanner, likely on the rear, unless there are serious moves to embrace a scanner under the glass on the front. This is a technology that’s already been demonstrated by Qualcomm, so it’s not impossible.

There’s no telling what the battery capacity might be, but with 3500mAh offering the performance many want, we’d expect that sort of battery size to be crammed into the frame.

Google Pixel 2: Audio and speakers

3.5mm headphone socket could go
Dual front speakers on the Walleye

A new piece of information has suggested that the Pixel 2 (Walleye, the smaller device), might feature dual front firing speakers and lose the 3.5mm headphone socket. As HTC is suggest as the build partner for the phone, this sounds very much like HTC of old. BoomSound in a Pixel? It looks like that might happen.

The loss of the 3.5mm headphone socket might set alarm bells ringing for some though as that suggests we’re looking at USB Type-C audio for the Pixel 2. At the moment it’s not clear whether this will apply to both sizes of phone or just one.

Pocket-lint

Google Pixel 2: Cameras

Perhaps the biggest movement in cameras at the moment is dual-lens cameras. While LG, Huawei and Apple have all embraced this trend in 2016, we’re yet to see if the likes of Samsung will adopt the format too. From a competitive point of view, Google may choose to use a dual-lens camera to add customer appeal.

It has been claimed the Pixel 2 will have a much improved camera, though it apparently won’t be all about megapixels and more about extra features instead. The Pixel is coming from a strong place for photography, unlike the previous Nexus handsets, so we hope that continues.

Dual lens smartphone cameras: The history running up to iPhone 7 Plus

Google Pixel 2: Software

The Pixel launched with Android 7 Nougat and a selection of exclusive features, like Google Assistant, Pixel Launcher and the Pixel camera. That unique software position is being chipped away as features appear elsewhere, but we’d expect the Pixel 2 to debut Google’s new software version with a few unique features again.

Android O is currently in development, it was launched as a dev beta, showcasing a number of new features. There’s rumours that the current Pixel handsets will have Android O in August, suggesting that it’s further ahead in development than in previous years. Android O looks to boost a lot in the background, increasing speed and security and add features like picture-in-picture.

Android O: Features, release date and everything you need to know