Following the mixed reviews Apple’s newest iPhone received, Google is next in line as it gets set to launch the new Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL.
Autumn seems to be the time of year smartphones are released, getting everyone around the world on the edge of their seats wondering what the next big smartphone is going to be. Following the release of Samsung’s Galaxy Note 8, Apple’s iPhone trio Google is next as ahead of the Google Pixel 2 launch.
The market is becoming increasingly competitive, as vendors compete with such similar technology such as Facial Recognition ID, no headphone port and better cameras, but what does Google’s latest model have on offer? CBR’s picked out the best bits you will be sure to love.
Save the date
First and foremost, hold the brakes on buying anything else until October! Invites have been sent and on October 4th Google will be hosting a press event in San Francisco to make a few announcements, and it’s rumoured to include unveiling their latest smartphone model.
Beginning at 12pm EST, you can watch it live through a live YouTube stream. Rumours fly after Google’s first model of the Pixel was announced in October 2016, now a year on the Silicon Valley giant is predicted to reveal the second model in the next few weeks.
Similarly to rivals Samsung and Apple, Google are expected to release two versions of its new model; the Pixel 2 and the Pixel 2 XL. There’s no confirmed pricing for Google’s new release just yet, but it’s expected to be pricier than last year’s model by around $50 (so probably around $699 or more).
Design fit for a Queen
Smartphones makers are seemingly taking the approach that less is more, as many new releases feature an edge-to-edge display, eliminating anything from the Touch ID feature to coloured glass edging to give a bigger screen display. Google is following suit, as with the original Pixel Model, the Pixel 2 will feature an edge-to-edge display with rounded corner edges.
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There are multiple rumours up in the air about the exact size of the display screen, so at the moment the Pixel 2 is expected to measure between 5 and 5.6 inches. In comparison, the Pixel XL is living up to its name with the biggest rumoured measuring to be up to 6 inches, similar size to competitor LG’s V6.
Google has more plans up its sleeve
Just like the original Pixel, Google manufacturers are expected to keep the rear facing fingerprint scanner, unlike its competitors Samsung and Apple that have experimented with facial recognition technology to unlock the smartphone.
However, following suit Google are rumoured to also be getting rid of the original headphone port and instead using the USB-C audio port to connect multiple plug-ins too. As much as a pain this may have seemed when it was first released, most smartphones are moving in that direction so buyers must move with the times!
Life in Pictures
More Pixel’s will certainly be among us as Google has improved Pixel’s pixel amount with a 12MP rear camera and 7MP front facing camera. Along with the bigger pixel amount, Google’s XL smartphone version is also rumoured to home a dual LED flash for even better pictures.
Google’s Pixel 2 is expected to keep the TouchID but bring a double flash.
Better camera and better technology comes with Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL as Google is expected to alter image technology from Electronic Image Stabilisation to Pixel Hardware Optical Image Stabilisation to improve low light photos and prevent shaky videos – what more could you want?!
Although the latest iPhone feature’s wireless charging technology, Pixel models aren’t expected to feature that just yet. Furthermore, the battery size and power has also not been as heavily speculated as other areas of the Pixel design but is expected to remain at least as big as the 2,77mAh in the original Pixel and 3,450mAh in the Pixel XL.
Functionality
Along with a bigger screen, Google’s newest smartphone edition is set to use ‘Always-on’ software on its display as well. ‘Always-on’ function will allow users to keep their screen ‘on’ so the time and notifications can always be seen at a glance. It also allows for customised settings alongside the original design of always on, including Vivid Colour mode allowing users to choose from a normal display screen or a colour design of their choice.
Another addition to the Pixel 2 is the similar design to HTC’s U11. Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL devices will feature ‘active edge’ technology, allowing users to squeeze the sides of the phone to launch applications. For example, users can launch Google Assistant whether the screen is on or off and also squeeze the phone for other actions such as silencing calls or texts.
Finer Details
Following the recent announcement from Google, the Silicon Valley Company are expected to run the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL with Android Oreo, as well as reportedly operating with Snapdragon 835 chipset that rivals Samsung use on the newly released Galaxy Note 8.
Another enhanced feature on Google’s newest editions will see the memory space increase by a minimum of 32GB, up to 64GB which will be the minimum memory space the smartphone offers, apparently. A larger Pixel memory will be available, up to 128GB to those customers looking for a larger internal memory.
Google faces some stiff competition
All in all, Google looks to be in a good position to compete with fellow smartphone companies such as Apple, HTC and Samsung as the release date gets closer. If all the reported features come true, it will truly be a capturing phone and better Google’s market ability to compete.
