The original Google Pixel became a favorite of Android fans with its superb camera, pure Android experience, and powerful specs. Google’s hardware chief Rick Osterloh has told media that the follow-up to Pixel would release this year. Even though Google has not revealed the phone’s design, we are coming across a new Google Pixel 2 concept render almost every day.
A Google Pixel 2 concept render with unique colors
The original Pixel’s design was borrowed heavily from iPhones. At some point, almost every major smartphone vendor has been accused of ripping off the iPhone’s design. Will the upcoming Google Pixel 2 again copy the iPhone’s design elements? We don’t know for sure, but a new Google Pixel 2 concept render created by Reddit user warbylee2017 (via BGR) looks almost entirely different from iPhones.
The Redditor’s concept uses some interesting color combinations to differentiate the Pixel 2 from other phones with rounded rectangles. It has a dual-tone metal and glass design on the back. However, the signature glass shade is shorter than it was on the original Pixel. The fingerprint scanner now sits outside of the glass panel. Unlike the upcoming iPhone 8 and Galaxy Note 8, the Google Pixel 2 concept render has a single camera lens on the back with an LED flash.
The original Pixel phones come in Really Blue, Quite Black, and Very Silver color options. Warbylee2017 said they wanted their Google Pixel 2 concept render to have “steampunk, luxury, royal, alternative hue” rather than the traditional colors such as silver, black, white or gold. The Redditor has given the device a copper and gold hue. The red/gold combination gives the phone an Iron Man-like feel.
The Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are expected to look different
The concept has an all-display front with no physical home button, similar to LG G6’s FullVision display. The top and bottom bezels have shrunk significantly compared to the original Pixel. The LG G6-like front won’t be a huge surprise considering LG will be manufacturing at least one variant (most likely the bigger Pixel 2 XL) of the device. The smaller Pixel 2 will reportedly be produced by HTC, the company that manufactures the original Pixel.
Overall, the concept looks impressive, and the color options are offbeat. It’s merely a concept, but some fans would love to see the final Google Pixel 2 in the gold or copper hue. Industry insiders recently told XDA Developers that the Pixel 2 would look similar to its predecessor. It will have a 4.97-inch display. The Pixel 2 XL is said to sport a 5.99-inch display. Sources told XDA Developers that there would be a much greater difference between the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL than there was between the original Pixel and Pixel XL.
New Pixel phones to be powered by Snapdragon 836
A report from Fudzilla claimed earlier this week that Google Pixel 2 would be the first smartphone to come equipped with Qualcomm’s upcoming Snapdragon 836 processor. The SD836 will be an iterative upgrade over the current SD835. It will have a higher peak CPU and GPU clock speeds than its predecessor. The new chipset will be more energy efficient than SD835 while offering better performance.
Last year’s Google Pixel came with Snapdragon 821, which was an upgraded version of the Snapdragon 820. The publication did not reveal whether only one or both Pixel 2 phones will be powered by the Snapdragon 836. Since Google is trying to differentiate Pixel 2 XL from the Pixel 2, we wouldn’t be surprised if the new processor is used only in the Pixel 2 XL.
The Pixel 2 is expected to be one of the best Android smartphones of this year. The device is rumored to feature 4GB RAM and 64GB/128GB of built-in storage. Google is expected to switch to OLED display with the new Pixel phones. The company is reportedly investing $880 million in LG Display to ensure a steady supply of OLED panels. Currently, OLED screens are in short supply due to massive demand from Apple and Samsung.
Unlike its predecessor, the Pixel 2 will be water-resistant. The rumor mill claims it will come with IP68 water- and dust-proof rating. The IP68 rating means the device can remain submerged in five feet deep water for up to 30 minutes. The last year’s Pixel phones came with an IP53 rating for splash-resistance. The upcoming phones are also expected to pack a bigger battery.
Pixel 2 will be the first smartphone to run Google’s upcoming Android O software. The new version of OS is currently available to developers for testing. Recently, developers discovered within the Android O code that Google Pixel 2 could feature an Always-On display. It will allow you to view important updates and notifications without having to unlock the phone.
How much will it cost?
Rick Osterloh has stated that the second-generation Pixel phones will continue to cater to the premium market. So, we can expect the new phones to cost as much as or more than the current phones, which start at $650. The rumor mill is expecting a $50 jump in the base price. If that doesn’t suit your budget, Google is also reportedly working on a Pixel 2B with watered-down specs and a lower price tag.
