Google’s Pixel 2: Improved Camera, CPU, Higher Price, “Budget” Pixel Also In Works

Megalith

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It looks like I am going to be using my Note 3 for another year. With news of the Pixel 2 already dripping out, I can definitely hold off on purchasing the current model, which feels like it just came out yesterday. It sounds like the successor is going to have a killer camera, as well as a waterproof body. Sadly, the rumor is that the Pixel 2 is going to be even more expensive, which is sad because the original was arguably overpriced to begin with. The good news is that we have a potential offset—I guess they are taking a page out of Android One (or just using plain-old common sense), as they will be releasing a cheaper “2B” version that will be “significantly” cheaper.

…our source has indicated to us that Google is internally testing a “few” prototypes of a device they referred to as “Pixel 2B”, which would purportedly be released either “alongside or shortly after Pixel 2”. This phone would bring with it a lower-price point and less powerful hardware, and would be “aimed at different markets,” our source says. Google’s end goal is to bring the “Google experience and the Google Phone to emerging markets,” which is something the company definitely has shown a passion for in the past. As for the price of the next Pixel, we’re told that — as of the time of this writing at least — Google is expecting that there will be “at least” a $50 USD increase in price. As for the budget-level “Pixel 2B,” we’re told this device “will be significantly cheaper” if it ever actually launches. As is the case with the rest of the details we’re sharing today, however, these price points are subject to change.
 
5" 32GB Pixel 1 is $650 from Google. +$100 for 128GB Storage and +$120 for 5.5" screen.

So, 5.5" 128GB Pixel 2 should be $920.
 
Waterproofing was my one gripe. My 2-year cycle is up this summer, so I'm in as long as it isn't that much more.
 
If it has a removable battery and sdcard, I'd pre-order it today.

LOL. Who am I kidding? It will never have these.
 
Between verizon's "no one needs more than 5GB of bandwidth" and google/pixel "no one needs an sdcard, just use our cloud services" it seems like a match made in heaven.
 
As much as I hate iPhones (cant stand the lock down BS), if a damn Pixel 2 is more expensive than an iPhone, i will just buy the damn iPhone.

At the very least, it will get 4 years of updates.
 
Hooray, higher prices! Just what we all wanted!

#NeverPixel

Seriously, they can go pound sand. Put down the Apple Kool-Aid. The point of buying phones from Google was their incredible value.

Who carries that crown now?
 
Another solution would be for stock Android to be on more devices. I probably wouldn't even care about the Pixel if I could get vanilla Android on a Samsung or LG device.
 
Hooray, higher prices! Just what we all wanted!

#NeverPixel

Seriously, they can go pound sand. Put down the Apple Kool-Aid. The point of buying phones from Google was their incredible value.

Who carries that crown now?

Looking at it another way, Android eclipses all other mobile platforms in daily activations, so Google might have finally realized it no longer needed to subsidize phone hardware. And that they were leaving money on the table by not offering a high-end premium device and letting Apple just bully that market.

Pixel XL is sold out every time I take a look at availability, so clearly they're doing something right. And current Nexus 6P owners like myself can thank Pixel XL for keeping the resale value on the 6P so high.
 
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Pixel XL is sold out every time I take a look at availability, so clearly they're doing something right.

That could be true, but google is notorious for not having stock in any reasonable numbers.

Every Nexus launch was always the same, no stock for months and the finger was pointed back at Google for underestimating demand. Perhaps a page from Nintendo's book.

And current Nexus 6P owners like myself can thank Pixel XL for keeping the resale value on the 6P so high.

Lots of loyal Nexus owners hate the Pixels lack of front firing speakers, so they are "upgrading" to the 6P instead of the Pixels, so yes, it is keeping that resale value high!

Plus, plenty of Nexus buyers didn't accept the high price of the new Pixels.
 
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I don't think the Google website has ever shown a 128GB Pixel XL in stock. Ever. Ditto with my local Best Buy and Verizon stores. Normal 32GB XL's are rarely in stock, too. I don't think it's popularity so much as they barely exist. The normal Pixel is common enough, but it's awfully expensive for what it is. At least the XL feels like you're getting a decent screen for all that $. The normal Pixel screen size is a step down from a lot of flagships.
 
All I want is 4.7-4.8 in screen, good camera with ois, 135-138mm length, and a solid build quality, doesn't have to be water proof, but stand up to drops, living a rear pants pocket and being tossed around a bit. Without a bloated ass case being necessary. Basically a Moto E 2nd gen with a good camera. The size and build quality are why I'm still rocking this thing even though the camera is garbage. Well that and no other manufacturer offers a phone with bands I need that isn't built to look pretty instead of actually be used in a mobile environment without 6 additional layers of protection.
 
O had a Note 4 that died on me early January and I was going to go the one plus 3t route but I got a used Nexus 6p for $250 (canadian) and I am very very very happy with my purchase. I was originally going to look forward to getting a note 7 but it started to explode so I thought about waiting for the note 8 but now that I got this and I'm extremely happy with my nexus I see no need to upgrade.
 
Hooray, higher prices! Just what we all wanted!

#NeverPixel

Seriously, they can go pound sand. Put down the Apple Kool-Aid. The point of buying phones from Google was their incredible value.

Who carries that crown now?
Chinese phones.
 
??
While it's got nothing on front facing stereo I've been surprised at how effective my pixel is at getting sound out.

Pixel had a software issue where certain sounds wouldn't come out of some people's phones properly. It was a pretty large % who were effected. Ironically a custom rom ended up fixing the issue.

 
I'm hoping the budget Pixel is the "new Nexus"...I have a 5X that I'm super happy with, and there's no replacement on the horizon. Damn it, I LIKE getting regular security and OS updates, but I don't want to pay almost $800 for the privilege.
 
For me, I simply want waterproofing, better battery life, and the option for 128GB of storage without being bogged down by OEM bloatware. I honestly don't care about a vastly better processor. It can only open Facebook, Maps, and Hangouts so fast. I'd take a "last gen" processor if it improved battery life.
 
For me, I simply want waterproofing, better battery life, and the option for 128GB of storage without being bogged down by OEM bloatware. I honestly don't care about a vastly better processor. It can only open Facebook, Maps, and Hangouts so fast. I'd take a "last gen" processor if it improved battery life.

well a faster processor can translate into batter battery life. The longer it takes your phone to open facebook or maps and the slower the response when in the app, the longer your screen and phone stay awake and not in sleep mode. Also as they improve processors they tend to improve efficiency. The problem is often these kinds of benefits get lost in programming and bloatware that make it waste away. I have an S7 and I am not impressed with the battery life at all, often I have to restart it and clear the cache to help it out. And still running 6.0.1 waiting for whenever ATT gets around to updating after waiting on samsung for so long. Think i will go google for my next phone, the nexus was always a good experience for me and also getting updates from the developer was always nice, its what I liked about my iphone too.
 
All I want is 4.7-4.8 in screen, good camera with ois, 135-138mm length, and a solid build quality, doesn't have to be water proof, but stand up to drops, living a rear pants pocket and being tossed around a bit. Without a bloated ass case being necessary. Basically a Moto E 2nd gen with a good camera. The size and build quality are why I'm still rocking this thing even though the camera is garbage. Well that and no other manufacturer offers a phone with bands I need that isn't built to look pretty instead of actually be used in a mobile environment without 6 additional layers of protection.


I hear you. I still have my Droid Turbo with the blue Kevlar backing and an extra layer of Gorilla Glass instead of a case. It's so nice with four notable exceptions.

1. The camera is slow and focuses poorly.
2. The Google voice services do NOT understand the word "Shutup !"
3. The processor is showing it's age.
4. The display needs an update.

Anyone know which phone has the good from the Droid Turbo with a refresh for most of the above and I know what my next phone should be.
 
Serious battery life is an option:
pzaW00X.jpg


What's unfortunate is there's no way to customize the battery saver mode. Give us this mode, battery saver lite (no bars, restore vibe notification), then maybe an extreme is possible?

Regardless the phone is very useful in this mode.
 
Pixel had a software issue where certain sounds wouldn't come out of some people's phones properly. It was a pretty large % who were effected. Ironically a custom rom ended up fixing the issue.



Crazy. Hadn't heard of it before.
 
Google Phones have never had a removable battery or SD card. Personally never understood it at all.

My Verizon Galaxy Nexus without a doubt, had a removable battery. I remember this because I also had a high capacity battery for it as well as a bigger battery cover to fit the larger battery. They don't include SD card slots because that's their subtle way of encouraging you to use their cloud storage; Google Drive.

What the hell is everyone doing with their phone that requires a removable battery? The big reason I needed it on my GNEX is because that phone averaged 1.5hrs screen on time, 2hrs if I got lucky. Now I get 5+ hrs SOT on my Nexus 5 and can plug it in and gain another 30% charge in like 15 mins.

If you are dying to stare at your phone screen for 8+hrs a day, and refuse to set it down long enough to get it a partial charge (less than an hr), maybe you are missing the bigger problem, you have some addiction issues. Shit, I don't even work right now and 5hrs is really pushing it for me, where is everyone getting more hours in their day?
 
I hope Pixel 2 brings best-available wireless charging. It is asinine that wireless charging was omitted from the first Pixel, and next gen Qi charging should damn well be included. Hell, they even have a glass "window" in the back of the original Pixel's body, so any of that "but but but metal chassis" stuff has no excuse with a metal-free location for the coils.

If they really expect the Pixel 2 to be more than an also-ran iPhone, they need to provide best of breed hardware, support, and make sure that many of the Android programs it runs upon are added to the Android Open Source Project. Some elements of Android have been getting increasingly proprietary and its time to roll that back. If they are going to charge over $400 for these things, then everything from the software, openness, extra long support, and hardware features needs to be top of the line. The other thing that could convince me to pick one up is to A) make sure it isn't carrier exclusive to anyone and B) Google Store itself could start some sort of "payment plan, with Pixel upgrades" option not unlike T-Mobile's Jump On Demand. That is to say, let users opt to pay for a zero-interest payment plan for the hardware cost, but let them upgrade at no cost to a new phone (and new plan) and turn the old one back in. Especially if Google only supports these things properly (ie upgrades) for 2 years and the industry moves so quickly, having a "leasing" option is ideal. Users get lower monthly payments and to upgrade (lets say no more than 2x per year, which is less than T-Mo's 3x JUMP OnDemand) when they wish at no cost, vendor gets a constant revenue stream that is nearly a "subscription" so to speak, as well as repurposing the old phones.

Pixel 2 needs to be a no-compromise device and to actually attend to the needs of those that prefer high-end Android devices (ie enthusiasts, Nexus users, developers etc), not just be a carbon copy of the iPhone. If they want people to pay a fortune for a phone, it must be worthwhile.
 
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