Arguably the best phone of 2016 and a much-awaited device by many Android purists, the Pixel was everything that people had been wanting for and more. Last year, the phone satiated people’s needs and this time around, Google’s second outing as making their own smartphone seems to be quite heavily anticipated. Here is everything that the new Google Pixels could be.
Curved screen
It seems, according to South Korean sources, that Google is bidding to invest about $876 million in LG’s flexible display panels, which are OLED screens. This makes sense, because LG themselves, are looking to make more curved displays and ditch, if not reduce the production of LCD displays for its products. Google and LG could be forming a partnership in this aspect, joining forces in order to overthrow the likes of Samsung, who has a pretty comfortable lead in the display market. Curved screens have now become the norm for flagships as well, so it won’t be too farfetched to think that Google would do the same as well.
A possible third variant?
As far as reports are indicating, it seems that the two new Pixel phones are going under the codenames Muskie and Walleye. But there is now another name that has gotten in the mix – Taimen, that may or may not be a bigger phone than the other two. Else, it could be another product altogether. The speculations are varied, but there are no confirmations about what these names will represent just yet. Taimen could also be a non-Pixel branded phone as well, although that would not make sense in Google’s current flow of device-planning. The company could also be testing for different sizes of phones right now, hence the different names.
Some questionable design choices
Reports stated that there is a chance that Google might be ditching the headphone jack, in the same way that HTC and the iPhone have, in favour of a single USB Type-C port. This was based on some Google documentation that cited this particular fact. Whether it is true, is yet to be confirmed, but this could be a matter of concern, especially since Google knows more than anyone else how important the headphone jack is – they were very vocal about it in their marketing of the first-generation Pixels, rubbing it in the face of the new iPhones. So, it does seem unlikely that Google will skip this integral feature.
A Pixel smart watch?
This does some highly likely, since Google has all the right materials it needs to make its own smart-watch – it’s got Google Home, that can easily pair with its smartphones and will also be a boon on a smartwatch as well. Google could use some of the OLED panels from its investment in LG for a few million smart-watch displays as well. This may also answer the earlier question of what Taimen could eventually become. Not to mention, Android Wear 2.0 on device that was made for it would be a treat.
A budget Pixel in the works?
Google hit all the right notes with Android One, when it had first launched a few years back. However, that failed to gain enough traction, and so the line was discontinued. It is very possible that Google could revive this line in the form of a Pixel-based budget handset for emerging markets that will consist of a stripped-down version of the phone with limited hardware.
A better camera
Having a better camera is an obvious new feature that people will expect, and Google will deliver on that front. We just are not sure how. It has been indicated that Google will not feature big Megapixels (like the HTC One, perhaps?), but will instead draw newer features on the camera for a better photographic experience.
Making a splash
One feature that the first Pixels missed out on was water-proofing. Google did not get the memo last year that having water resistance was the norm for flagships. This time, it seems that the company will be ready to face its competitors with a rugged body of a phone. Judging by what Samsung and LG have doled out, the new Pixels could come in an IP67-68 body. Let’s hope Google goes forward with this feature.
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