Google Nexus phones are eagerly awaited by users, but it turns out Google may actually be working on two new Pixel phones: the Pixel X and Pixel XL slated got Oct. 4. Google has never released a 'Pixel' phone before and this makes users wonder what the hell a 'Google Pixel' is, though the name was used for last year's Pixel C tablet. Following the tradition, Google releases Nexus phones every autumn, but rumors has it that 'Nexus' has seemingly been binned this year.
In either way, Google lovers should expect two smartphones this autumn, the Pixel and Pixel XL, from Google this year. Both devices are reportedly built by Taiwan's HTC, and will feature the brand new Android 7.0 Nougat Operating System. It is also guaranteed they will feature some of the best components around as from the below highlights:
Latest Google Pixel News:
All rumors point that Google will be launching the new Pixel and Pixel XL on Oct. 4, 2016, during a dedicated press conference. Google is also expected to put the phone on shelves on that same day.
The launch timing is not surprising as last year's Google Nexus phones were launched just days earlier, on Sept. 29, 2015. It is likely Google wants to let the waves settle after top-bill releases from Samsung with the Galaxy Note 7 (Aug. 2) and Apple's iPhone 7 (Sept. 7).
According to Ausdroid, the most recent release date rumor pointed that Australian carrier Telstra plans to begin offering the Google Pixel phones for pre-order starting on Oct. 4, with a proper release date set for Oct. 20. A UK release is expected to follow suit if Australia gets.
The Pixel XL has been rumored to retail at $649, which could make it Google's most expensive phone yet.
What happened to the new Nexus phones?
Google is apparently binning 'Nexus' this year, and instead, opting for 'Pixel'.
'Pixel' was first heard in Google's mobile line-up last year, when the tech giant released its tablet-hybrid: the Pixel C.
It now seems the company plans to roll out the branding across its smartphone devices too, probably in a move to reduce confusion for consumers.
The two phones debuting in 2016 are called 'Pixel' and 'Pixel XL'. But users are more likely to have heard them been called by their codenames: "Marlin" and "Sailfish." The Pixel will be a sequel to the Nexus 5X, and the Pixel XL will follow the more high-end Nexus 6P.
On Aug. 22, Android Nougat was released but Google did not announce new Nexus phones alongside it. According to its official Android blog, the now-confirmed LG V20 was highlighted and it will be the first device to ship with Nougat out of the box.
There are also two possibilities about the much rumored Nexus-devices. One, the devices never existed in the first place, and could end to be other non-Nexus devices HTC is working on.
Multiple HTC Devices such as; the HTC Desire Pro and HTC Desire Lifestyle have been rumored to tipping up at IFA, so, probably Marlin and Sailfish could be HTC Desires rather than Nexus phones.
The two possibility is the devices just were not ready yet. Maybe Google is holding them for a great and proper launch in the coming weeks.
The latter appears to be true, but while users are all waiting for two new Nexus phones, Google is instead working on two new Pixel phones: the Pixel X and Pixel X, PC Advisor reported.
According to The Telegraph, Google will be manufacturing its own phone this year. This means that, just like Apple, the company will have complete control over both the hardware and software, no need to depend on a hardware partner. The same approach was followed with the 2015 Pixel C.
Nexus 2016 | New Nexus rumors: Nexus 2016 UK release date
Pixel X, Pixel XL release date: 4 October 2016 (TBC).
Google launches a new Nexus smartphone every year (in 2015 it unveiled two), which it uses as the launch platform for its annual Android update. On Aug. 22 users saw the release of the final version of Android Nougat. But there was no any new Nexus phones, despite Google confirming that the LG V20 would be the first phone to run N out of the box.
No surprises as tradition sees the new OS Developer Preview unveiled at Google I/O in early summer, and then launched on the new Nexus 5 and/or new Nexus 6 phone around October time. For instance, the Nexus 5X and 6P were revealed at the end of September 2015, and the Nexus 6 before it in October 2014.
The latest rumor, from Australia, notes that local mobile operator Telstra will start shipping the new Google phones on Oct. 20. This will be around three weeks after the expected launch on Oct. 4.
Nexus 2016 price: How much will the new Nexus phones cost?
Currently, the Nexus 5X costs from £299 and the Nexus 6P from £449, the Nexus Blog reports that "The 32GB version of Nexus Marlin will retail at $599 while the same storage option for the Sailfish will be priced at $449."
The Pixel phones could however, turn out to be even more expensive and in fact they could be Google's most expensive phones yet.
David Ruddock, Android Police managing editor tweeted that the Pixel XL will cost $649, though it is not clear if he is talking about a 32 or 128GB version.
Nexus 2016 | New Nexus rumors: Who will make the new Nexus phones for 2016?
Rumors that HTC is developing the two new Nexus phones for 2016 went into overdrive at the end of April 2016 following a tip from serial leaker @evleaks on Twitter.
Huawei has since allegedly confirmed that it is responsible for at least one of the new Nexus devices for 2016. Huawei general manager for consumer business in South Africa said: "We are doing the Nexus again this year, by the way."
Huawei was already claimed to be making the updated Nexus 6P by Pan Jiutang, Chinese electronics industry analyst via Weibo.com, yet others have claimed HTC is responsible for both.
Nexus 2016 | New Nexus rumors: Nexus 2016 specification rumors - Nexus 2016 new feature rumors
Both phones are rumored to be very powerful, which is good news for everyone.
The Google Pixel is rumored to feature Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 chip, which is the same processor that features on the LG G5, the Galaxy S7 and the HTC 10. It is efficient, powerful and supports super-fast download speeds.
Pixel X is also tipped to feature a 2,770mAh battery and 4GB of RAM, which should be fine for a 5-inch phone.
Meanwhile, the Pixel XL is said to be getting a few additional perks. To begin with, it is expected to ship with Qualcomm's brand new Snapdragon 821 chip. This is a spin-off from the 820, and offers a 10% boost to processor performance. In addition, it is also expected to be the first Daydream VR, ready chip.
Other Pixel XL features rumored include a hefty 3,450mAh battery, 4GB of RAM, two cameras (12- and 8-megapixel), and 32GB/128GB storage options.
Such features marks Pixel Xl as a seriously high-end device that should be able to compete with powerful phones like the Samsung Galaxy Note 7.
Android Police has leaked images of what is said to be the Nexus Sailfish, a metal and glass device with a very 'HTC". The Marlin is expected to be the same, but larger.
Watch a video on the render and leaked information, Tech Configurations made a 3D video rendering of what the phone might look like: