Google Pixel 2, Pixel XL 2 with Snapdragon 836 to launch on October 5

Google is likely to launch its Pixel 2 and the Pixel XL 2 very soon, suggests a leak. According to Evan Blass, who leaks information about upcoming phones on his Twitter account @evleaks, has said that Google will launch the Pixel XL 2 and the Pixel 2 on October 5. Although there is nothing official about it, the launch of the two phones is indeed expected in late September or early October and hence the date revealed by Blass does make a lot of sense.  

The two phones are code-named Muskie and Taimen. The Muskie is a smaller phone while Taimen is the bigger one with screen size of at least 5.5 inches. Interestingly Blass is very definite in his date. There are no ifs or buts. He seems to be pretty confident with his claim. He posts: "Google's second-generation Pixel handsets, powered by Snapdragon 836 SoC's, will be unveiled on October 5th."

Along with the launch date, another interesting part of the tweet is that it mentions Snapdragon 836. This is a new processor as until now we have only seen the Snapdragon 835 processor in high-end phones like the Galaxy S8, HTC U11, OnePlus 5 and Nokia 8. But just like last year the Pixel phones came with Snapdragon 821 and not Snapdragon 820, this year the Google phones seem to be getting an updated processor.  Although the updates in this case are going to be minor. The Snapdragon 835 is already a fairly good processor so we don't expect the Snapdragon 836 to offer any speed boost or major new feature over it. However, the Snapdragon 836 may come with some tweaks that help the Pixel 2 and the Pixel XL 2 run cooler and offer better battery life.    

Ahead of the launch, the Pixel 2 and Pixel XL 2 aka Muskie and Taimen have been subjected to several leaks and rumours already. Several purported images of the phones have also leaked online, giving a rough glimpse of how the phones may look like.

Going by all the rumours, Pixel XL 2 may come with an LG-made AMOLED 6-inch display with minimal bezels. Furthermore, the phone is also expected to come with wide speaker grille at the top, right next to the front facing camera, which indicate the presence of stereo speakers. Apart from Pixel XL 2, Google is working on a smaller variant called the Pixel 2, aka Muskie.

A concept video that leaked months ago shows thinner bezels and dual cameras for Pixel 2. The leaked concept video further hints that the upcoming Google Pixel 2 will feature a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner which will be placed right below the dual rear camera set up. Not only that, the render also shows that there will be significant changes on the rear panel of the Pixel 2, when compared to its predecessor Google Pixel. Pixel 2 is also tipped to feature mono-tone rear panel unlike the Google Pixel which is designed with duo-tone glass and metal on the back.

Both the phones are said to come with dual rear cameras. However, this is something that is not yet confirmed, as the purported leaks of Pixel 2 and the Pixel XL 2 have also shown renders with single cameras.  In these renders, images show that the Pixel 2 may come with single 12-megapixel sensor at the back, placed vertically and coupled with LED flash, which sits right next to the camera ring. While on the front, the handset will reportedly feature a 7-megapixel selfie snapper. The concept renders further show that the device will possibly ditch the 3.5 mm audio jack.

Reports have noted that the Pixel XL2 will be made by LG and that it will be based on LG G6 design. The Pixel 2, meanwhile, will be manufactured by HTC. Although both LG and HTC have contributed to the design of both phones. This is possibly the reason why both phones will have stereo speakers and the squeezable frame, two features also found in the HTC U11. 

Apart from phone, Google is also reportedly launching a new Pixel Chromebook and a smaller Google Home speaker at the same event where it will show the Pixel and the Pixel XL.