Google Pixel & Pixel XL: What To Expect From Today’s Event

Finally, it’s the time for one of the most anticipated phone launches of the year. Google is expected to release their latest hardware that will be showcasing the company’s latest version of Android at an event in San Francisco today.

Pretty much everything has been leaked including some pretty nice renders too. So here is everything you need to know about the new upcoming smartphones by Google.

1. Manufacturer

A few months after the release of last year’s Huawei Nexus 6P and the LG Nexus 5X, around January 2016, rumors started circulating the internet that HTC might be manufacturing two new Nexus phones for Google. One of the rumored phones was supposed to have a 5-inch display while the other one was supposed to have a 5.5-inch display.

It should be noted that HTC is no stranger to manufacturing phones for Google: they made the first Nexus, dubbed as the Nexus One, back in January 2010 and later the Nexus 9 tablet in November 2014.

Prior to HTC, Huawei was offered the chance to manufacture the 2016 Nexus phones for Google but they passed the opportunity. Why? Well, here’s the story.

Basically, before the release of the Nexus 6P, Google promised Huawei that they would offer the Nexus 6P with all major carriers in the US. This was an amazing chance for Huawei to build their brand image in the US.

However, talks failed between Google and the carriers. A few months later, Google was looking for another OEM. The search giant asked Huawei whether it would like to manufacture the 2016’s Nexus phones but without any of the Huawei name and logo branding on the phone. Instead they will be using Google’s branding on it. Huawei refused considering their previous experience and the lack of brand promotion.

This was where HTC – Google’s Plan B – agreed to sign a contract with them and manufacturer 2016’s Nexus phones.

2. The Death of Nexus

Soon after the rumors that HTC was manufacturing the new Nexus phones for 2016, two new device names popped up. Nexus Sailfish was the smaller 5-inch device whereas the larger 5.5-inch device was named as Marlin.

However at the beginning of September, AndroidPolice reported that Google is replacing the Nexus lineup with the Pixel brand name. Consequently, the phones will be named Pixel and Pixel XL.

These aren’t the first pixel devices by Google by Google. Last year, the company released the Pixel C tablet which was a Google Labs product. Before that, a Pixel chromebook was releaed.

The 6-year old Nexus brand name coming to an end was very sudden and unexpected. Nothing else on this matter was revealed. Hopefully Google clears this up in its event today.

3. Performance

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Nexus phones were well known their top of the line performance packages at lower price points. However that changed with the Nexus 6 when the prices started going up. The rumors regarding the new Pixel phones are no different.

This year’s models are expected to debut with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 instead of the 820, which is a welcome improvement. The Snapdragon 821 boasts a boost in performance by 10% and graphical performance by 5%. Apart from that, both of the devices will also come with 4GB of RAM.

4. Design

Earlier rumors suggested that the smaller of the two devices will just have a metal frame with a plastic body. And the bigger Pixel XL on the other hand will feature a full metal design. However some recent leaks suggest otherwise.

It looks like both phones will come with the same design and construction. The rear of the phones will feature dual materials, probably metal and glass. The fingerprint sensor will be on the back accompanied by the camera. The leaked rumors certainly suggest that the Pixels will be coming with a very premium build quality.

On August 13th we had our first look at the new Pixel smartphone, thanks to an anonymous tipster on Twitter.

On September 19th AndroidPolice revealed the first detailed photos of the two Pixel smartphones in white color.

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Evan Blass (@evleaks) revealed the full front photo of both the Pixel and the Pixel XL on Twitter. He also later uploaded a photo showing the full color options of the Pixel phones from all sides.

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5. Camera

The cameras on both the Pixel and Pixel XL are rumored to be the same. Both of the devices will feature a 12MP rear camera and an 8MP front facing camera. Camera will be supported by an Extended Laser Autofocus and Dual PD. The rear camera sensor is expected to be Sony’s Exmor IMX378, which is a huge upgrade from last year’s Exmor IMX278.

6. Pricing

Starting from the Nexus 6, pricing has been on the higher side for the Nexus phones. The 32GB variant of the Pixel is expected to be priced at $649. Verizon pricing leaks, it looks like the top end variants of both the Pixel and Pixel XL will be priced at $750 and $850 respectively.

Other Announcements

Apart from the Pixel phones release, Google is also expected to reveal some other products.

  • Google Daydream VR headset
  • Google Chromecast 4k
  • Google WiFi
  • Google Home

Google is calling this event to be one of the most important events in its history.

How to Watch the Release Event?

Google will be live streaming the event on YouTube here. The stream starts at 9PM Pakistan Standard Time. ProPakistani will keep you informed once the all the products are revealed.

What are you waiting for the most in today’s Google event? Let us know in the comments below!


  • i was very excited for this phone but the prices have ruined my expectations. :( Damn Google.


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