More evidences are surfacing that indicate the Nexus handset brand is on the way out. On release date, the next Nexus will be known as the 5-inch Google Pixel and the 5.5-inch Pixel XL, and both will be powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 821 processing chip with 4GB of RAM, a new report said. Price will tentatively start at $649.
The price mark, however, will be for the phablet Pixel XL, BGR reported, pointing to Android Police's David Ruddock. There was no mention on the regular Pixel's basic price but the device was earlier rumored to sell beginning at $499.
The price bump (Nexus was traditionally affordable) was seemingly justified by the high-end specifications jammed inside both the Pixel handsets and the rumored premium build and design. The latter though remains a suspect as BGR pointed out that basing on leaked images and clips so far, the upcoming Google signature smartphones seem unlikely what were already seen with Apple's iPhone 7 and 7 Plus and Samsung's Galaxy S7, S7 Edge and Note 7.
For instance, leaked pictures of the Pixel phones showcased back plates that are at best unsightly. And a teaser video of HTC, maker of the devices, failed to elicit jaw-dropped reactions.
But as Ruddock has reported, the soon-to-come Pixel phones will reflect what Google hardware is all about no matter the lack of aesthetics. "Pixel phones will have exclusive Google support, exclusive software features, and exclusive financing options," Ruddock was reported by BGR as saying.
And with SD 821 as the handsets' mighty source of power, both Pixels will likely impress with incredible mobile computing power and speed. As the report noted, "the Pixels will by the first US devices with Snapdragon 821 by a long shot. No one else is using it."
Another thing going for the Pixel phones, formerly known as Nexus 2016, is the likelihood of a different build of Nougat running the show when the devices are finally unboxed. Reports said both mobile gadgets will rock Android 7.1 Nougat version out of the box and not only the Pixel phones will get a first taste of the Android build but also the devices will exclusive features of the mobile OS.
Leaks have indicated that the Pixel phones will have the Nexus Launcher and an animated Home key that will be the gateway to the enhanced features of Google Search and Now on Tap.
Google is rumored to introduce the Nexus 2016 or Pixel and Pixel XL in early October with the release date to happen in the following weeks.