With the Google Pixel 2 expected to be announced imminently, it appears that at least one of the models in the series will be driven by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 836 processor. A new report from Fudzilla asserts that the forthcoming Google handsets will be the first to benefit from the next-generation chipsets.
Qualcomm Snapdragon 836 announcement
Qualcomm has yet to even officially announce the Snapdragon 836 generation, but the report suggests that this will be revealed in due course. It would be something of a surprise were the Google Pixel 2 to include the Qualcomm Snapdragon 836, as it was expected that the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 would be the first mobile to benefit from this technology. Nonetheless, if true it will certainly be a real boost for fans of Google phones.
It is definitely early days for any concrete information to have emerged regarding the Qualcomm Snapdragon 836, but it is believed that the performance of the unit will outstrip the Snapdragon 835. This predecessor was utilized in such premium offerings as the Galaxy S8, meaning that the Google Pixel 2 could be an extremely nifty performer.
Nonetheless, it is believed that the Snapdragon 836 will feature the same GPU and CPU setup as the previous generation, with performance instead being improved by the higher clock speeds involved. However, we shouldn’t necessarily expect the Qualcomm Snapdragon 836 to massively outperform the 835.
Already the Snapdragon 835 can be considered a sophisticated piece of technology. When it was announced, it instantly became the first ever chipset to be manufactured via the 10nm FinFET process. While there have been no public remarks on the 836 generation, Qualcomm has already claimed that these predecessor improve augmented reality and virtual reality experience, enhance the battery life of smartphones, and deliver particularly speedy Internet connectivity.
It will be interesting to see what new claims are made regarding the Qualcomm Snapdragon 836, but it seems that this processor will represent a tweak to the performance of the unit, rather than a full-blown revolution.
October release date
The Google Pixel 2 to is expected to be released in October, with the announcement of the smartphone probably arriving in the coming weeks. This is certainly a mobile that faces significant challenges in 2017, with Samsung looking to reinvigorate its Galaxy Note range with the release of the Galaxy Note 8, and Apple producing an outstanding iPhone 8 release in order to acknowledge the tenth anniversary of its iconic flagship smartphone.
Google has yet to really establish itself as a major player in the smartphone marketplace, and certainly not a name on par with the likes of the market-leading Apple and Samsung. But if 2017 is to be the year that the Pixel range makes a big splash, it seems that the Google Pixel 2 must be an outstanding smartphone performer. It is probably this market reality that has motivated the mega-corporation to enlist the Qualcomm Snapdragon 836 for its new handset.
Aside from the souped up processor, the Google Pixel 2 will also offer numerous improvements over its predecessor. The larger variant of the Pixel 2 generation is expected to have a six-inch (well, 5.99-inch to be precise!) Quad HD bezel-less display. In this sense, the Google Pixel 2 will very much build on the trends of the industry, with wraparound displays and slimmed down surrounds becoming increasingly popular.
There is some debate over whether Google will include a dual-camera in the Pixel 2 generation, with the majority of reports now suggesting that the search engine giant will instead opt for a single-lens units. This would enable the manufacturer to keep costs down, which will be essential considering the relatively affordable price tag of the handset. But dual-cameras are becoming common, and a single-lens unit would be a minor disappointment.
It is believed that the Google Pixel 2 will cost in the range of $699, making it far cheaper than either the Galaxy Note 8 or iPhone 8. Reports have perpetually insisted that the Apple device will break through the psychologically important $1,000 barrier in 2017, possibly even retailing at a hefty price tag of $1,200. Meanwhile, reports have also suggested that the Galaxy Note 8 could release in this financial ballpark as well.
Google’s strategy for the Pixel 2 seems to be to release the the device as a mid-range unit, but with a premium Pixel XL 2 version also accompanying the main model. This will enable the company to establish the Pixel 2 as a mainstream unit, while also emphasizing that the Pixel XL 2 is more of a premium handset, and still significantly undercutting both Apple and Samsung.
Other specs
Other specs associated with the Google Pixel 2 include an 8-megapixel selfie-capturing camera that will also fulfil the cultural zeitgeist. It is becoming increasingly important for smartphone manufacturers to include a decent front-facing camera, as social media continues its unrelenting march.
RAM capacity is expected to be 4GB, while Google will offer a version of the Pixel 2 with 128GB of storage. It is expected that the Google Pixel 2 will run Android O out of the box, although there are question marks regarding whether this will apply to every version of the handset. But both Pixel 2 smartphones are expected to be based on a metal and glass design, with rumors indicating recently that Google will remove the 3.5mm headphone jack from the device; in common with the iPhone range.
Previous reports have also suggested that the Google Pixel 2 will arrive in four separate colors, providing an additional choice from the last generation of the smartphone. Gold, Jet While, Jet Black, and Silver are all anticipated, as the developer attempts to offer consumers more flexibility in design.
With the smartphone set to be driven by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 836, it should certainly be an excellent performer when it arrives later this year.
