The Google Pixel created quite a stir when it launched in 2016.
The phone was highly promoted and ugly its claim with an advanced camera. Sales have been steady but have posed no real threat to industry titans like Apple’s iPhone and Samsung Galaxy.
Some believe that the Pixel’s sales failed to challenge the bigger gamers due to an unremarkable design and rather high price tag of around $650.
Still, many in the industry believe that Google’s attempt to take over the Android market was a good first step and have high expectations that the tech giant will release a new and improved version sometime this year.
Pundits point to Apple and the hiccups and improvements it has made with each and every new phone release. They expect no less from Google.
What to expect? First think about waterproofing. This is becoming an industry standard, found in Samsung’s iPhone 7 and Galaxy S7. Many believe that the next version of the Pixel will be resistant to water and dust. The company didn’t include it in its first model, but it should be a feature when the “2” shows up.
Reports indicate that Google wants to improve the camera. Since it’s one of the best smartphone cameras available, the company may be focused on improving low-light performance and adding some new features.
Pixel fans may have to pay more. According to a report from 9to5Google, the price could be higher. Significant improvements would have to be necessary to justify a higher than market price.
Conversely, the same report says that Google is also testing lower-end Pixel devices, perhaps for a rollout to countries outside of North America. These would have fewer features and a lower price. However, it would make sense if a lower-end device was offered in the US that would allow Google to cover more of the market’s extremes.
More power could be on the way. A higher-powered Snapdragon chip could be used. A Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 was used in the first model. The company is rumored to be testing a Snapdragon 830 and/or 835 processor. Some Intel chips may also be considered.
Pixel has become the staple of all things Android and the first phone had the full release version of Android Nougat. The new version could have Android 0 (8.0) to continue on that path.
Phone size matters and little has been said about a Pixel XL 2. While many may have trouble locating an original Pixel XL, it sounds like Google would want to continue the model, especially with the success of Apple’s larger iPhone 7 Plus. with all its extended features.
When can you count on seeing the Pixel 2? Many believe it will arrive this fall, about a year after the original version was released.
It will be interesting to see how Google plays the launch card, as the new Apple iPhone 8, Samsung Galaxy S8, and LG G6 should all be ready for market at the same time.