The Google Pixel 2 has been officially announced at a special event in San Francisco.
The Google Pixel 2 is smaller than the Pixel 2 XL, which was unveiled alongside its sibling, which Google claims is smarter and simpler.
The Pixel 2 boasts an ever so slightly slimmer bezel than its predecessor (the Google Pixel) either side of the screen, but there's still a sizable chunk above and below the display as it opts for a more iPhone 8/Sony Xperia XZ1 layout rather than the all-screen Galaxy S8 and LG G6.
This does mean you get front facing speakers, which should provide a better audio experience.
Round the back Google persists with is divisive glass/metal split design, with a centralized fingerprint scanner and single rear facing camera in the top left corner.
Google's launch event is still going on, and we'll be updating this article with everything you need to know about the Google Pixel 2 has it's announced live on stage.
Stay tuned too, as we'll be bringing you our hands on: Google Pixel 2 review in the next couple of hours.
- Join in the live event! How to watch the Google Pixel 2 launch
Cut to the chase
- What is it? Google's next flagship smartphone
- How much will it cost? TBC, rumors point to $849 (about £630, AU$1,079)
- When will it release? TBC, likely in next week or two
Google Pixel 2 price and release date
We're still waiting for confirmation of the Google Pixel 2 price, but we should have answer for you before the launch event wraps up, so keep refreshing this page as we'll be bringing it to you as soon as we know.
In terms of the Google Pixel 2 release date, again we're waiting for the search giant to confirm its availability on stage – but we expect pre-orders to open up very soon, with the handset going on sale in the coming weeks.
Google Pixel 2 display
The Google Pixel 2 has a 5-inch, full HD OLED display.
Google Pixel 2 power
- Snapdragon 835 chipset and 4GB of RAM
The Google Pixel 2 comes with the latest Snapdragon 835 chipset under the hood, giving it plenty of power and matching the setup in the LG V30, HTC U11 and Sony Xperia XZ1.
That's paired with 4GB of RAM, which combined means you'll be able to throw pretty much anything at the Pixel 2 and it should run it without issue.
We will, of course, be putting that to the test in our in-depth Google Pixel 2 review in the coming weeks.
Google Pixel 2 operating system
- Runs stock Android 8.0 Oreo out the box
No surprise here, as the Google Pixel 2 runs the stock version of Android 8.0 Oreo out the box.
It's the latest version of Google's operating system and the Pixel 2 (and Pixel 2 XL) will be used to highlight the benefits of a pure Android experience.
Developing… the Pixel 2 launch is still happening, with more details being announced every second. We're updating this page live to bring you everything you need to know.
Previous Google Pixel 2 rumors
Google Pixel 2 screen
Hottest leaks:
- A 4.97-inch screen
- A 1080p resolution
One rumor for the Google Pixel 2 is that the phone may come with a curved display when it launches later this year. However, the latest leak more or less puts this one to bed, as the image below shows the Pixel 2's display looking much like what we saw in the Pixel and even the Nexus 6P.
Google has tried to put an order for curved OLED screens with the LG Display Company, which suggests the company is ready to embrace curved screens on the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. Not just that, a recent rumor states that LG itself might actually be making one of the phones.
We've that only the Pixel 2 XL will have a curved display, while the standard Pixel 2 will have a flat 1080p one. They don't say what size, but another source claims that the standard Pixel 2 will have a 4.97-inch screen.
Elsewhere, we've heard that this screen might have an always-on function, so you can see the time and notifications at a glance, and that it will have customizable settings, including a new 'Vivid Colors' mode.
Those features combined with the use of AMOLED would give it a lot in common with the Samsung Galaxy S8.
TechRadar's take: If the Pixel 2 sticks with a compact 1080p display it won't be in line with rivals, but that could work if the price is right.
Google Pixel 2 design
Hottest leaks:
- Rear-facing fingerprint scanner
- Water resistance
- May lack a 3.5mm headphone jack
A recent Pixel 2 leak contradicts ones that we've seen previously in one key way: the bezels on the front of the Pixel 2 may not end up being any thinner than what's seen on today's Google Pixel device, as the image below suggests.
We've also seen leaked cases supposedly designed for the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL.
They're similar in a lot of ways, showing off a rear-facing fingerprint scanner on both, along with a 3.5mm headphone port (which we'd previously heard might be ditched).
The case images include an insert seemingly showing the designs of the phones, and the one for the Pixel 2 looks similar to the original Pixel, with slim side bezels but big ones above and below the screen.
It's also rumored that the Pixel 2 will come with a waterproof design. A Senior Editor at 9to5Google reported a source has said the phone will be dunkable when it's released.
More specifically, we've now heard that it could be IP67 certified, meaning you'd be able to dunk it 1 meter deep for up to 30 minutes.
We've also seen newer renders that claim to show off the final design of the Pixel 2 family of phones. Much of it falls in line with what we've seen previously, but the most noteworthy change is the lack of 3.5mm headphone jack. Not all sources agree on that, but we have heard of its absence more than once.
Further case renders from Olixar (which you can see below) add to the suspicion the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL will drop the legacy tech, while separate sources for 9to5Google Managing Editor Stephen Hall add more fuel to the 'no headphone jack' fire.
The latest bit of leaks surrounding the Pixel 2 talks of its colors. As you might remember, the original Pixel was available in white, black, and blue variants. The black and the white options definitely still look to be available, but for the smaller of the two Pixels, a new option called "Kinda Blue" will round out the color offering.
TechRadar's take: A similar but refined design with added water resistance is likely. Plus the 3.5mm headphone jack is likely to go so Google can make the phone thinner.
Google Pixel 2 camera and battery
Hottest leaks:
- 12MP rear and 7MP front-facing cameras
- Improvements over the Pixel's camera
A source has claimed that the Pixel 2 will have an improved camera – no surprise there and they don't specify how it will be improved.
Elsewhere, we've seen images of Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL cases (pictured above), which show different camera cut-outs on the two phones, so they might not both have the same camera.
A benchmark for one of the models lists a 12MP rear camera with 4K video support, and a 7MP front-facing one. That sounds like a similar setup to the 12.3MP and 8MP combo on the original Google Pixel.
While this doesn't add to the potential spec of the Pixel 2 camera, we've seen what appears to the be the much bigger sensor in a recent leak. It's about the size in diameter to the fingerprint sensor, so expect its low-light chops to be even more improved.
There are also reports that the rear camera (and possibly also the front camera) will have optical image stabilization.
We haven't heard much news on the battery yet, but one source reckons it will be 2,700mAh, which would make it slightly smaller than the 2,770mAh one in the Pixel.
TechRadar's take: A smaller battery seems surprising but is possible, especially if the chipset is more efficient. Expect a 12MP camera with some hidden improvements.
Google Pixel 2 internal specs and OS
Hottest leaks:
- Snapdragon 835 chipset
- 4GB of RAM
- 64GB or 128GB of storage
Previously some sources had claimed the Pixel 2 will be the first phone to use the Snapdragon 836 chipset, but we now know the next phone from Google will tote a Snapdragon 835 instead.
Sources close to Qualcomm have told XDA Developers and Android Police that it will use the Snapdragon 835 that's used in a variety of flagship phones this year.
One source told with 9to5Google that the search giant is currently testing a budget Pixel handset, which will have down-graded specs, but a smaller price tag.
This rumor has since been refuted by a Google exec, so it's looking unlikely – though the exec refers specifically to Pixel, so it's always possible that a budget Google handset will land without Pixel branding.
We've also heard that a true phablet might be landing, alongside the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, so we could see at least three Pixel handsets this year.
That phablet may have been benchmarked, as a phone going by 'Google taimen' has appeared on Geekbench with a 1.9GHz (likely Snapdragon 835) chipset, 4GB of RAM and strong benchmark scores.
Regarding storage, the Pixel 2's FCC filing surfaced and seems to have confirmed that the phone might start with 64GB of storage and work up from there.
Those specs are in line with other recent flagships, so they're believable, especially as the Snapdragon 835 has been rumored for all three Pixel 2 handsets.
Very similar benchmark specs have appeared on the web more recently, and been rumored elsewhere, so it looks as though the internals of the Pixel 2 phones are coming into focus.
The benchmark also highlights its use of Android Oreo, which we're fully expecting to see on the phone, and some of these sources also point to 128GB of storage being included.
TechRadar's take: A Snapdragon 835 chipset and 4GB of RAM are looking likely, while Android Oreo is a given.
Google Pixel 2 other features
Hottest leaks:
- Squeezable sides like the HTC U11
- Dual front speakers
The Pixel 2 appears to have surfaced via an FCC regulatory filing and in doing so, has seemingly confirmed the squeeze-friendly feature called "Active Edge".
More evidence for the feature has appeared in a teardown of the latest Google app beta, which found the phrase “To change settings for the squeeze gesture, go to your phone’s Active Edge settings”, along with “Squeeze for your Assistant”, suggesting you can squeeze the sides to launch Google Assistant.
Previously, we had heard from two different sources that the Pixel 2 XL might have squeezable sides, a lot like the HTC U11. These would apparently allow you to launch Google Assistant whether the screen is on or off, and could also be used for other things, such as silencing calls.
There's less news on whether the standard Pixel 2 will have the same feature, but it's likely, and a recent source suggests as much.
The presence of such a feature also strongly suggests that HTC could be building the phones, though that's now been all but confirmed by Google's purchase of part of HTC.
Another likely feature comes in the form of dual front speakers. These have both been rumored and now sort of pictured in the form of screen protectors with gaps for them.
There's also talk of an E-SIM, which would allow you to change network without changing SIM card. Though we're skeptical that networks would get on board with this.
Finally, a recent (and very sketchy) rumor points to a new 'fluid' interface, which may be more focused on gesture controls than button presses, but we're skeptical of this, as the same source talks about an 'Ultra pixel' handset, which isn't something we've heard about before.
from TechRadar – All the latest technology news http://www.techradar.com/news/pixel-2
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