It seems that the release of the next Google smartphone is finally set in stone, with the Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL, NASDAQ:GOOG) Google Pixel 2 launch event reportedly set for October 5. VentureBeat’s Evan Blass is responsible for providing this information, with the notorious leaker also suggesting that the smartphone will benefit from the brand new Qualcomm Snapdragon 836 processor.
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Google Pixel 2 launch event revealed
Blass revealed the information on Twitter, noting that “Google’s second-generation Pixel handsets, powered by Snapdragon 836 SoC’s, will be unveiled on October 5th.”
While Google cannot lay claim to performing as well in the hardware marketplace as the likes of Apple and Samsung, the last twelve months have been positive for the mega-corporation. The Google hardware division has produced Google Home, Google Wi-Fi, Daydream VR, a 4K Chromecast, and the previous generation Google Pixel phones in the last year, and is at least beginning to gain a foothold in hardware.
Android Police believes that the Google Pixel 2 launch event will also herald the release of a new Chromebook and a smaller version of the Google Home system. Some analysts have also suggested that the corporation may even reveal a a few other devices at the conference as well.
Superior processor
With Blass specifically mentioning a Qualcomm, Inc. (NASDAQ:QCOM) Snapdragon 836, it seems that Google will aim for superior performance with the next generation Google Pixel 2. This is actually a similar decision to 2016, when the manufacturer announced the Snapdragon 821 would drive the first Google Pixel release. At the time, the 820 was more common, and it thus seems that Google has similarly committed itself to delivering the most advanced processor technology possible in each Pixel release.
When the October 5 date of the Google Pixel 2 launch event rolls round, it is likely that the developer will announce two separate smartphones. There have been some rumors that three models of the Google Pixel 2 could be released in 2017, but this now seems wide of the mark. Instead, the standard Google Pixel 2 smartphone will be accompanied by the Google Pixel 2 XL this year, as the strategy of the company remains very much centered on a simple smartphone and phablet format.
Two models
Although Google hasn’t officially announced any of the spces for either of the Google Pixel 2 devices, leaks have indicated that the larger device will feature a 5.99-inch, 1440p OLED display. The smaller smartphone version will benefit from a 4.97-inch 1080p OLED screen, while there will also be design differences between the two handsets.
It is believed that the larger Pixel XL 2 will benefit from the sort of slimmed down bezels that have become extremely fashionable in the industry. However, the smaller Pixel 2, which is being produced by HTC, has larger top and bottom bezels, perhaps intended to reduce production costs.
With HTC being involved with the manufacturing of the device, a feature from at the HTC U11 is expected to migrate to the next generation Google handset when the Google Pixel 2 launch event occurs. It is believed that this handset will feature squeezable sides that will enable users of the smartphone to access various functionality more conveniently.
By squeezing the sides of the phone, Google Pixel 2 users will be able to perform an array of simple tasks. Referred to as Active Edge, the new functionality could assist consumers with taking photographs, while the Google Assistant software is also expected to be accessible via this new innovation.
Google Assistant features
With Google having announced the new Android Oreo software, it is expected that the new smartphone will benefit from the system. Another report suggested that the Google Pixel 2 will launch with Assistant headphones as part of its portfolio. This new peripheral will enable users to access the Google Assistant voice technology without touching the smartphone itself, potentially providing two avenues to achieve this alongside the squeezable frame.
An APK breakdown conducted by 9to5Google discovered the code strings for this feature in Android Oreo, suggesting that it could debut in the Google Pixel 2 generation. Whether this accessory would be bundled with the Pixel 2 as a matter of course remains to be seen, but it does sound like an interesting feature.
And when the Google Pixel 2 launch event reveals the next generation handset, it is widely anticipated that the 3.5mm headphone jack will have been removed. This has already been carried out by Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) with its iPhone 7 release, and Google is strongly expected to follow suit with the Google Pixel 2 generation.
While this was not received with universal acclaim by iPhone 7 users, it is generally thought that the smartphone industry is heading towards more wireless music playback.
Higher price
A source close to Google has also suggested that the Pixel 2 will attract a higher recommended retail price than previous releases. The last generation smartphone was available at launch for $649 in the United States, with the XL version costing $120 more than this. This suggests that the Google Pixel 2 will be released in the $699 to $749 ballpark.
The general consensus of analysts is that the camera in the Google Pixel 2 will remain a single-lens units. This may be a slight disappointment, but because of the outstanding photographic capabilities of the first Pixel release this shouldn’t necessarily be viewed as a disaster. There are rumors that Google has been working diligently to ensure that the Google Pixel 2 snap captures superior images in darker conditions as well.
Other specs
4GB of RAM is anticipated for the Google Pixel 2, putting the smartphone on a par with the existing Galaxy S8. Google is also expected to offer Pixel 2 consumers either 64 or 128GB of native storage, although the developer will once again ignore micro SD.
With the Google Pixel 2 launch event pencilled in for October 5, we don’t have too much longer to wait in order to find out what Google has in store for smartphone fans.
