What rumours have to say about Google Pixel 2 and Pixel XL 2

The Google Pixel and its heftier cousin, the Pixel XL, were undoubtedly among the major success stories of the Android smartphone industry in 2016. Google's answer to the iPhone's magnificence earned it rave reviews — its almost Apple-like approach to providing a no-nonsense experience was born out of the seamless integration of high-end hardware, tailored to the strengths of the OS.  

These hugely popular phones came in two different display sizes and resolutions — 5-inch (1080p) for the Pixel and 5.5-inch (QHD) for the XL — with other major specs, except for the battery pack remaining identical. With a sturdy metal uni-body design, a 12.3-Megapixel primary camera with f/2.0 phase detection and an 8-Megapixel front camera, built around a Snapdragon 821 SoC, the devices represented the best that Android had to offer. 

But a year on, the charm of the Pixels has waned. Faced with increased competition, the line-up is being forgotten. However, Google is about to change that, and soon. 

On October 4, the tech giant is expected to unveil the successors of the flagship Android phones, which — if the rumour mills are to be believed — will come with some really impressive features. 

Ahead of the reported launch, let's take a look at what to expect from these phones:

Design and display

The Pixel 2 is expected to be crafted along the same lines as its predecessor, but the Pixel XL2 is reported to bring with it a fresh design scheme with a high body-to-screen ratio. If reports are to be believed, this almost bezeless front of the phone will provide a more edge-to-edge experience compared to not just the iPhone X, but also the Galaxy S8 that comes with a 84 per cent body-to-screen percentage. 

In terms of display, Google is planning on repeating last year's strategy, and equip the Pixel 2 with a Full HD display, while giving its cousin, the Pixel XL2 a Quad HD display OLED display. 

What's under the hood?

As far as the specifics go, the two phones will come with similar internals, with the top-of-the-line Qualcomm 835 Snapdragon and not a tweaked Snapdragon 836, firing up both the Pixel 2 and the Pixel 2 XL. The SoC is expected to be paired with 4GB RAM, though this number could even be bumped up to 6GB. 

Google is also increasing the internal storage on the new Pixels, with the entry-level models now getting 64GB of storage instead of 32GB on the original Pixel phones from last year. The other memory option, sadly, gets no boost, and the top variant again comes at 128GB.

The Pixel 2 XL will have a 3520 mAh battery (100 mAh) — larger than the Pixel XL — while the Pixel 2 will stick with the 2700 mAh capacity-battery of the original Pixel.

Dual Pixel Cameras

With an overall DxOMark Mobile score of 89, the two phones from the Pixel line-up were among the highest-rated camera smartphones last year. Software optimisations paired with an above par 12.3-Megapixel single lens shooter enabled the phone to click great pictures.

However, the camera was still not flawless. 

In the new phones, Google is reported to add Optical Image Stablisation tech on both the front and rear cameras, which will greatly improve the phone's picture-taking prowess. Dubbed the "Pixel Cameras", these sensors will work in tandem with Google’s own “Imaging Chip” (presumably "image signal processor"), which could very well make it the best camera module in the market. 

No headphone jack and new E-Sim slot

The two devices will also see a shift in philosphy in the form of Google doing away with the 3.5mm headphone jack in favour of a much sleeker design scheme. Rumours suggest Google might ship the phone with a pair of USB-C earphones to ease the transition, but considering how Google has ridiculed Apple in the past for the same move, it will be interesting to see how it justifies the decision at the launch. 

The phone could also bring with it another revolutionary change, one that may or may not go down well with the customers. Rumour has it that both Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL could come with an E-Sim, which can switch between networks. However, this move would depend on Google convincing carriers around the world to partner with it to bring in this new feature, which — to be honest — could be a bit tricky. 

U11 like 'sqeezebale frames' 

Called "active edge", the new phones may also get the HTC U11's popular gimmick that allows users to simply squeeze the body of the device to launch apps and decline/recieve calls. 

Unlimited Google Cloud storage

Another offering to sweeten the whole package could be to power the phones with unlimited Google Cloud storage. According to a report published in Android Authority, purchasing a Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL will enable the customers to get unlimited Google Cloud storage for the next 5 years. 

Currently, usage over 15GB with a new Google account is chargeable under multiple plan offerings that the tech giant provides. 

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