Yahoo Finance Google Pixel 2: release date, features, price and everything we know
Google is preparing to launch its latest smartphone, Google Pixel 2 on Wednesday, following on from the success of the first Google Pixel last year.
The tech giant is expected to reveal the Google Pixel 2 alongside a larger XL version. The phone is expected to feature the new Android Oreo operating system, along with a larger curved screen and a more powerful processor.
Google surprised many with its first smartphone designed in-house, but now it appears to be doubling down on phones, buying out a large chunk of HTC's mobile phone division just last month.
The release, which comes weeks after Apple unveiled its premium iPhone X smartphone, also has Google tipped to reveal a host of new hardware, including a mini version of its Google Home smart speaker, an updated Daydream VR headset, and a brand new premium Chromebook.
Google Pixel 2 release date
Google has released a Youtube trailer called "Funny you should ask", while billboards have been appearing calling on users to "Ask more of your phone".
Both say to stay tuned for Wednesday, October 4, so we can expect Google to launch its new products on the same date as last year.
We don't know exactly when the Google Pixel 2 will go on sale, but given that it is set to be announced on the same date as last year, we can expect sales to begin around a similar time. Last year it went on sale on October 20.
What will the Pixel 2 look like?
The Google Pixel 2 is expected to keep many similar design elements from the first phone, including a single lens camera and a rear mounted fingerprint scanner.
The smaller phone is expected to have a similar screen size to the old models, at 5 inches, but a report from Android Police suggests it will have thinner sides and a slightly rounded screen, while the XL version will have a larger 6-inch screen. Designs by ConceptCreator based on the leaks show a screen that sits almost at the edges of the device.
The normal Pixel 2 is expected to have its main camera sitting closer to the centre of the phone, while the Pixel 2 XL will its camera sighted slightly off centre.
The Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are expected to come in slightly different schemes, Android blog Droidlife reports. The Pixel 2 will come in "Clearly White", "Just Black" and "Kinda Blue", while the Pixel 2 XL will come in black and "Black & White". "Just black" is arguably a step up from last year's colour, which was named "Quite Black".
Unfortunately, the Google Pixel is not expected to have a headphone jack, joining the iPhone 7 and 8 in dropping the once standard feature.
How much will the Pixel 2 cost?
The old Google Pixel actually ended up as a relatively good value smartphone and currently you can pick up the XL version for just £449 with 32GB of storage. When it was released, however, the 5.6-inch version cost £599 and the 6-inch XL started at £719.
The new Pixel 2 is actually set to remain competitively priced, starting at $649 (£480), the same price as the current Pixel in the US, although the base model has been bumped up with 64GB of internal storage.
Droidlife reports the Pixel 2 XL will start at $849 (£630) compared to $769 for the original model, although it remains to be seen how prices will be affected by exchange rates and UK VAT.
How will it compare to the original?
Technology editor James Titcomb enjoyed the original Google Pixel, praising its performance, camera, battery life and specs. However, there were some issues that meant the Pixel missed out on a top rating as the must-have Android smartphone of 2016.
There are a few little niggles the Pixel will have to fix to make it a true iPhone alternative and worthy of rivals like the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 or the mid-market One Plus 5.
"There are a few too many missing pieces to make it a must have. I find the design a little underwhelming, especially in a world occupied by beautiful phones like Samsung's Galaxy S7 Edge. The camera is very good but I can't agree with the claims that it's the best on any smartphone."
Pixel 2 best features
There is not a huge amount known about the latest features that will arrive on the Pixel 2, although the latest leaks have revealed some new developments.
The Pixel 2 is being made by HTC, according to Android Police, while the larger Pixel 2 XL will be made by LG, revealed by US regulatory filings that feature similar code names for the devices.
Android O
The Pixel 2 is widely expected to be the first new phone to come with Google's new Android operating system, Android O, although the update has been available on Google's current Pixel and Nexus phone range.
Android O is adds improved battery life to Google's smartphone, limiting background service of power hungry apps. It can also load up twice as fast as a phone running the current version of Android Nougat.
Google is also introducing new ways to control and limit how many notifications users can see on their smartphone, a system to automatically fill passwords, and a way to lock and wipe your phone remotely if it is lost or stolen.
Camera
The old Google Pixel has one of the best cameras on an Android phone, although not quite as good as the iPhone 7 Plus according to our review. While Google tried to claim its camera was the best on a smartphone ever, it could not quite live up to expectations.
Interestingly, Google has not embraced the dual lens camera of many current smartphones, going down a different route with a single lens. However, expect some serious quality if Google wants to live up to its own hype.
More powerful, more storage
The Google Pixel 2 is expected to have the latest processors with a Snapdragon 835 chip. It is also expected to have more storage than the old model, starting at 64GB and also coming as a 128GB model.
No headphone jack
The Google Pixel 2 is expected to join the list of phones saying goodbye to the 3.5mm headphone jack, meaning you will have to either plug in through its USB-C port or get a pair of wireless headphones.
Voice control
Google has been developing and upgrading its Google Assistant AI for some time now, so expect even more this time around. The tag line "ask more of your phone", may also be a giveaway that voice assistants and AI will play a big part on the new Pixel.
Active edge sides
Like the HTC U11, the Pixel 2 is expected to feature some form of "squeezable" sides, meaning certain functions like zooming the camera or taking a selfie can done by squeezing these panels.
Virtual reality
Google has gone in heavily on its virtual reality capabilities, launching the Google Pixel with its Daydream View last year. Now, Google is also set to prime the Pixel 2 for virtual reality, launching a new Daydream View VR headset, according to Droidlife.
It's not clear if this will launch alongside the new Pixel 2, however the leaks have already given a clear look at the new Daydream View, which offers a redesigned headset.
Google has also been pushing augmented reality, seen on Apple's iPhone X in its ARKit mode. Google has realased ARCore, a new tool for developers to rival Apple, so expect to see tools for this on the new Pixel.
Google Home Mini and Pixelbook
Not content with its new smartphone alone, Google is also planning to unveil several further products at a major launch event in San Francisco.
It is expected to unveil a new Google Home Mini, a scaled-down version of its Google Home smart speaker assistant.
The smaller Google Home will come in three colours, chalk, charcoal, and coral, and start at $49 (£36). The new smart speaker will aim to rival Amazon's Echo Dot and its range of new smart speakers powered by Alexa, and take some of the shine off of Apple's launch for its Siri-powered HomePod, which is significantly more expensive than these smaller devices at $349.
Google is also rumoured to be working on a smart speaker with a screen, like the Amazon Echo Show and Echo Spot, according to Techcrunch. Little is known of the project so far, although it has been codenamed "Manhatten" internally.
It is also expected to launch its latest Chromebook, the Pixelbook, having last updated its laptop range back in 2015. The Pixelbook will arguably be one of the most expensive and premium Chromebook devices you can buy, starting at $1,199 (£884), Droidlife reports.
It will come in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB storage versions, with further price brackets at $1,399 and $1,749.
The new laptop runs on the Chrome operating system and is expected to feature a touchscreen and can be bought with a stylus pen - the Pixelbook Pen - to make use of touch features.
