Google is expected to release the successor to Pixel sometime next month. The device is only a few weeks away, and rumors about the so-called Pixel 2 are at their peak. Now a designer has come up with a beautiful Google Pixel 2 concept design that incorporates some of the rumored changes as well as the designer’s own ideas for the device. While we wait for the official handset, let’s check out the new Pixel 2 concept design.
Why this Pixel 2 concept design doesn’t have a curved display
The concept was designed by R. Batinic. The concept phone borrows a few design elements from LG G6. It’s not that surprising considering LG Electronics will be manufacturing the larger Pixel XL 2. Batinic says their Pixel 2 concept design combines the new with old. It’s a blend of the original Pixel and the upcoming one (based on leaks).
The Pixel 2 concept design has an LG G6-like display with incredibly slim bezels on the sides. Batinic believes the device would launch with an 18:9 aspect ratio, similar to the G6, because that’s the future. The designer didn’t go for a curved display like Galaxy S8 because “personally I like a little bezels on the side.” There is no physical home button, and the fingerprint sensor sits on the rear panel. At the top, you can see the front-facing camera, ear speaker, and other sensors.
The device features front-facing speakers. The back panel is made out of metal and glass combination. The glass part appears to have become smaller than it was on the original Pixel. The fingerprint scanner is placed right where the glass and metal portions merge. You can see Google’s ‘G’ logo along with the antenna band near the bottom. The phone would run Android 8.0 Oreo out of the box.
The concept has dual camera, audio jack. Google may ditch both
The biggest highlights of this Pixel 2 concept design are the dual camera system and 3.5mm headphone jack. The dual cameras are arranged horizontally in the top right corner. The LED flash sits next to the cameras. The rumor mill claims Google will stick to a single camera with Pixel 2, even though almost all its competitors feature a dual camera system.
Single or dual lens, we can expect the Pixel 2 to have one of the world’s best smartphone cameras. Google has proved its expertise in photography with the last year’s Pixel, which was rated the best smartphone camera by DxOMark. If the search engine giant decides to include a dual camera on Pixel 2, it could be similar to the cameras on the latest LG V30.
Though Batinic’s Pixel 2 concept design retains the 3.5mm headphone jack, Google will reportedly ditch the feature from Pixel 2. It is not yet clear why the company would follow the iPhone 7, which it had criticized a year ago for dropping the headphone jack. Removing the audio jack could help Google make Pixel 2 more water-resistant, and allow it to add stereo speakers.
Google Pixel 2 features and specs
The designer didn’t mention which processor would run the new Pixel 2. Previous rumors claimed that the phone would be powered by Snapdragon 836. However, XDA Developers has learned from reliable sources that the device would pack Snapdragon 835, the same processor that runs current Android flagships such as the Galaxy S8, OnePlus 5, and LG V30. The Pixel 2 is rumored to offer 4GB RAM and 64GB of internal storage.
According to the rumor mill, the Pixel 2 would sport a 4.7-inch OLED display. The larger Pixel XL 2 is said to have a 5.99-inch OLED screen. LG Display will be one of the suppliers of Pixel 2 OLED panels. The Android Open Source Project (AOSP) code suggests that both the devices would offer an Always-On display. There are also speculations that the upcoming Pixel phones would have a “squeezable frame” similar to the HTC U11. The squeezable frame allows users to activate apps such as Google Assistant or perform specific functions by pressing the device’s frame.
When is the Pixel 2 coming?
In yet another proof that the Pixel 2 launch is imminent, a job listing for Pixel 2 customer support service has surfaced on LinkedIn. The listing was originally published on Dice, which has since removed it. The job listing was posted by WalkWater Technologies, which recruits for Accenture, which in turn recruits contractors for Google. Accenture has also worked with Google in the past to bring recruits.
According to 9To5Google, the contract position would last one year “to begin with.” The job location is San Jose, California, and Google is paying $15 per hour. The applicants must have a bachelor’s or associate degree with at least one year of customer support experience. The applicants should also have prior knowledge of Google’s services.
Reliable leaker Evan Blass reported a few days ago that the Pixel 2 would be unveiled on October 5th. The new phones are expected to go on sale by mid-October. The company is also rumored to unveil a new Google Home Mini and a Chromebook Pixel at the same event. The next-gen Pixel phones will face competition from the iPhone 8, Galaxy Note 8, and LG V30.
