Pixel / Pixel XL (New Nexus) release date, news and rumors


New Nexus release date, news and rumors

Update: Google looks set to launch its two new phones as the Pixel and Pixel XL at a launch event on October 4, with the Nexus name being retired. Plus the latest rumors suggest they will be ready to buy on October 20 and could use the flagship-beating Snapdragon 821 processor, while new renders give us a closer look at the smaller handset.

Google’s Nexus line is still going strong. There was a time when things looked to be on the rocks for the search giant’s own-brand handsets, but it’s navigated through the treacherous waters, and come out stronger on the other side.

2015 gave us the excellent Nexus 6P, plus the more affordable (and palm-friendly) Nexus 5X, but with the recent arrivals of the Samsung Galaxy S7, HTC 10, LG G5 and Huawei P9, both those phones are suddenly looking a little long in the tooth.

It’s time then, to look at what Google has up its sleeve for its next Nexus smartphones – although we now think they’ll be called Pixel instead, like the Pixel C tablet.

So what can you expect from the new Pixel devices? Bigger screens? New Android? More power? Some actual innovation? We know one thing: they’ll definitely come with Android 7 Nougat, and possibly even Android 7.1.

Another thing we know for sure is that Google will continue to leave Nexus manufacturing to established names in the market. CEO Sundar Pichai has said Google will instead focus on the design and software, hinting that the search giant will be more involved than ever in future Nexus/Pixel devices.

Could these be the most ‘Googly’ Nexus devices to date? Quite possibly. Let’s see what the rumor mill has churned up so far about the new Pixel handsets…

Cut to the chase

  • What are they? Google’s next own-brand smartphones
  • When are they out? Launch tipped for October 4
  • What will they cost? Traditionally the Nexus line is slightly cheaper than flagship rivals – but the Pixel range could be pricey

New Pixel / Nexus release date

Hottest leaks:

  • Launch expected to happen on October 4
  • May be in your pocket on October 20

Google launched the Nexus 6P and 5X in September 2015, with both devices going on sale the following month, so it stands to reason that it’ll follow a similar release schedule with the new Nexus phones.

More specifically, the Nexus Sailfish and Nexus Marlin could be arriving on October 4, or at least that’s what one source reckons.

Another source suggests the same date for the announcement, with the Pixel ready to ship on October 20, though only the standard Pixel, with no mention of when the Pixel XL would hit stores.

TechRadar’s take: The October 4 date is far from set in stone, but two separate sources have now touted the date. Plus October 20 for an on sale date would make sense.

Pixel / Pixel XL price

In the past Nexus smartphones have been cheaper than the flagship devices they tend to be put up against, but that distinction became blurred in 2015, with the Nexus 6P sporting a lofty price tag of its own.

The hope is that the smaller of the two new Pixel phones will at least come with a reasonably affordable price tag, much like the Nexus 5X, while the larger, more premium offering is likely to pitch itself closer to Apple, Samsung and co.

TechRadar’s take: With Google likely to launch two new handsets, we expect a similar price structure to the 5X and 6P.

Say my name(s)!

Hottest leaks:

  • Two phones, codenamed Marlin and Sailfish
  • Latest name leak points to Pixel and Pixel XL
  • Other names rumored: T50 & T55, Nexus M1 & S1, Nexus 6X & 7P

Singular or plural? That’s the first question we need to tackle when talking about new Nexus phones.

2015 was the first time Google launched two Nexus smartphones side by side, the 5X and 6P. Arguably the Nexus 5 and Nexus 6 were also a pair, but there was a year between their releases and they were rarely marketed together.

A duo of handsets felt right, and we fully expect Google to repeat the trick this time around. Two new Nexus phones have supposedly been spotted online – dubbed the Nexus M1 and Nexus S1. ‘M’ apparently stands for Marlin, while ‘S’ is allegedly Sailfish.

They’ve also been touted as T50 and T55, with those numbers relating to the screen sizes: 5-inch and 5.5-inch. Those are all said to just be development codenames – so what will Google opt for in the end?

The simplest answer would be the Nexus 6X and Nexus 7P, but those make even less sense than the phones they’re set to replace.

There’s always the chance Google just sticks with the code names M1 and S1, but how about something a little more straightforward? Nexus 7 and Nexus 7 Plus would be nice – but the former has already been used for the firm’s 7-inch slate.

Thing is, it looks like the iconic Nexus name could be coming to an end, as Android Central claims its sources have confirmed Google’s next two phones won’t be using that name. That has sparked rumors suggesting the two new handsets will be called the Pixel and Pixel XL.

TechRadar’s take: It’s now looking highly likely Google will retire its Nexus name in favor of extending its Pixel line, which already includes the Pixel C tablet and a couple of Chromebooks.

Who’s the daddy?

Hottest leaks

While Nexus devices are routinely referred to as Google’s handsets, the search giant doesn’t actually make the hardware. That task is shipped out to established handset manufacturers, and in the past HTC, Samsung, LG, Asus, Motorola and Huawei have all been called upon to do the honors.

LG is the company behind the 5X and Nexus 5, while Huawei’s first ever Nexus device came in the form of the 6P.

Several rumors, however, suggest it’ll be HTC that gets the nod for both handsets in 2016 – which could see the HTC 10 and One A9 as strong foundations for whatever Google has up its sleeve.

That said, Google is apparently also pretty pleased with the job Huawei did on the 6P, and alternative rumors point towards the Chinese manufacturer getting a second shot at making the higher-end Nexus.

TechRadar’s take: HTC looks to be the front runner to make both the Pixel and the Pixel XL, and with the firm’s strong design past we’re keeping our fingers crossed for a couple of stylish smartphones.

Design and screen

Hottest leaks:

  • 5-inch and 5.5-inch displays
  • Sailfish all-metal design revealed

With the appearance of those T50 and T55 codenames, it looks like we’ll be getting a 5-inch handset and a larger 5.5-inch device.

That would be a downsizing for the larger device, following the 5.95-inch Nexus 6 and 5.7-inch Nexus 6P, and would see the new Nexus slide in comfortably alongside the iPhone 7 Plus and LG G5.

A leaked build.prop file for the Nexus Sailfish suggests the smaller phone might be slightly bigger than 5 inches though, with a roughly 5.2-inch 1080 x 1920 screen, which would be a match for the Nexus 5X.

One benchmarking result meanwhile suggests the larger Nexus Marlin device will come with a 2K display, but the size of the screen is currently unclear.

A leaked render posted online by Android Police seems to suggest a svelte looking aluminum uni-body and a rear facing fingerprint scanner – just like on the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P. The source who provided the image also claims the new Nexus phones will be available in silver, black, and “electric blue”.

New Nexus 2016 - LEAK - Android Police

This design has been given a boost as even more images showing a similar style for the Sailfish device have made their way online.

Google Sailfish

Google Sailfish

More recently still yet another set of Sailfish (aka Pixel) renders have emerged, this time from Android Authority, showing the same design again, but with the addition of a USB-C port and dual speakers for stereo sound – all of which can be seen on the bottom edge of the handset.

Sailfish renders

The source claims that although not shown in the renders the phone will have a 3.5mm headphone port on the top edge, and that the dimensions are 143.8 x 69.5 x 7.3 – 8.5mm, making the phone slightly more compact than the 147 x 72.6 x 7.9mm Nexus 5X.

TechRadar’s take: with a number of renders claiming to show the Nexus Sailfish (likely the smaller Google Pixel phone) we reckon the rounded, metal body will come to fruition. Unlike Apple’s standard and plus sized handsets, we don’t think the design will be cloned for the Marlin handset, with that sporting something a bit different.

OS and power

Hottest leaks:

  • Android 7 Nougat straight out the box
  • Flagship power under the hood
  • Snapdragon 821 processor

The new Nexus (new Pixel) handsets will of course launch with Android Nougat, but rather than Android 7.0 they might land with Android 7.1.

The 7.1 update is almost certainly in the works, especially as it’s been spotted on Google’s developer console and it’s been rumored that it will launch with the Nexus Sailfish and Marlin handsets.

Android N

That would make some sense, as the LG V20 will beat the new Nexus to the Nougat punch, so this way Google’s handsets would have something new to launch with. What Android 7.1 will contain is unknown, but it’s possible that it will include support for Daydream VR.

In terms of power, we’ve seen leaked benchmark tests suggesting both handsets will be sporting Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 820 chip, which has already found its way into the G5 and HTC 10. A build.prop file for the Nexus Sailfish suggests the same.

However Qualcomm has launched the shiny new Snapdragon 821, which boosts power up even more and it’s certainly not out of the question that the new Pixel smartphones could benefit from the additional oomph, especially as the chip is built with VR in mind – making it beneficial to Daydream VR.

There’s even some evidence pointing towards the Snapdragon 821, with a recent leak suggesting that both new Pixel phones will sport it, but most of the rumors still point towards the 820.

Whichever chip we get it will likely be backed up by 4GB of RAM, which would give you plenty of grunt under the hood for all the latest Android Nougat has to throw at you, although 6GB of RAM is also possible with the OnePlus 3 sporting it along with a low price tag.

Nexus scanner

We also expect the fingerprint scanners to return and based on a leaked image it looks like they’ll be on the back of the phones once again, but complete with a new feature, allowing you to reveal your notifications by sliding a digit across it.

TechRadar’s take: With most evidence pointing towards the Snapdragon 820 processor that’s our best guess for now, along with 4GB of RAM and Android 7.1.

Check out what Android Nougat has to offer in our beta walkthrough

Camera

Hottest leaks:

  • 12MP rear, 8MP front snappers
  • 4K video recording

Camera specs are few and far between for both Nexus phones. GFXBench details suggest they’ll have 7MP selfie shooters and 11MP rear facing cameras. That’s a strange set up that we haven’t seen before, so it may turn out that these details are a little bit off.

There’s more likely to be a 12MP rear and 8MP front combo, which has also been leaked, with Sony tipped as the firm to supply the lenses for the new Pixel duo.

The back camera is said to have all the features you’d expect, such as 4K video recording as well as an LED flash, face detection software and autofocus tech.

TechRadar’s take: With HTC on board we could well see the firm’s UltraPixel technology make its way into the new Pixel handsets, with improved low light performance and possibly some additional camera tricks. We fully expect some general improvements regarding image quality and the auto-modes, but past Nexus devices haven’t always dazzled in the camera department.

VR

Google Daydream

Something the new Nexus devices are likely to feature heavily is virtual reality (VR). Google announced its Daydream VR platform at its IO conference in May, and you can expect the new service to be a highlight of its new Nexus handsets.

Google even teased its own VR headset with controller – and we could well see the hardware launch alongside the new phones later this year. It would make sense, as the headset will be dependent on a smartphone to function – and what better device to use than a shiny new Pixel?

We’re keeping our fingers crossed for a “free VR headset when you pre-order a new Nexus” offer come September.

Source: techradar.com

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25 Comments
  1. Reply Wyatt Pacocha September 12, 2016 at 10:28 am

    Ah, humor…not.

  2. Reply Frederik Fritsch V September 12, 2016 at 12:24 pm

    It's not a "need" for sure – but consider this:

    Scenario A: Office desk / nightstand / car with Qi charger [essentially] "permanently" installed, with wires neatly routed/hidden from view.
    Scenario B: Office desk / nightstand / car with 3 foot long Micro USB charging cables strewn about them.

    I feel like scenario B is appropriate for a college dorm room, or a child's bedroom who refuses to keep things straight, but is downright embarrassing for any adult professional. Attempts to disconnect and store USB cables when not in use only add to the inconvenience, and is a partly futile effort because they have to be out when you are charging the device, at minimum.

    Even the need that you specify – you imply that you need to top your phone off, plugging it in periodically to charge during the day. That, first of all, is terrible. It should be unacceptable to all of us.

    But it's also the reason that I say a permanent, built-in battery is something that professionals shouldn't accept. And it's not just the "planned obsolescence" argument. A professional who catches an early flight out, rents a car and navigates it to client location(s), uses his phone for entertainment, for heavy on-road or in-client-office communications back to the base office, as well as to navigate and read at restaurants – it's nice to simply have an extra charged battery in your pocket, and whenever you reach near-zero… just slip it in and be at 100% again.

    These aren't way-out, geeky needs by any stretch.

    For the SD card slot – Samsung brought it back, and Google just incorporated a new SD feature into Android – so I'm optimistic that this next-gen phone will have a slot, to help showcase it.
    I've even heard rumors that the smaller 5" phone won't be penalized this time on power or memory, so men with front pockets who don't carry purses can have a full-strength phone in a reasonable package.

  3. Reply Kip Dach September 12, 2016 at 2:16 pm

    Please nothing more than 5 inches, men don't carry purses!

  4. Reply Bernie Buckridge September 12, 2016 at 3:06 pm

    In a car, it takes one hand to set my phone into the Qi charger I built into my dash. That's a safety consideration.

    At the office, the angled Qi charger also serves to hold the phone like a dock, handy for TED talks and the like – and allowing a quick single-hand grab to answer calls or texts without needing to use the other hand to unplug the phone.

    And that's without the unsightly appearance of cables. With a stationary dock you can route cables out of sight.

    Your argument is equivalent to "Why wear a shirt and tie? Sweatpants are totally fine."
    They aren't.

  5. Reply Ms. Melody Bayer DDS September 12, 2016 at 4:41 pm

    Hope it's not HTC. Their handsets have stupid curved backs which means you can't use them properly on a flat surface.

  6. Reply Gerald Parker September 12, 2016 at 6:36 pm

    Rhetorical, I still own mine.

  7. Reply Janelle Weissnat September 12, 2016 at 7:29 pm

    I'd like my next phone to be durable in a drop like the V20 (not like the idiotic all glass design of the note 7 and S7). I'd like it to have a LARGE removable battery -e.g. 3600mah or even 4000mah (not like the puny 3200mah in the V20). I don't care about fancy recording equipment or a stylus or other dunsel features. I want a big screen, a long lasting battery and good cell reception. Not sure why this isn't the focus of manufacturers.

  8. Reply Mr. Joseph Rath DDS September 12, 2016 at 7:34 pm

    I agree on all but the wireless charging. I've tried it on a few phones and it just doesn't do anything for me, but I get there's a group that needs it. I personally like the feel of aluminum more and my job keeps me moving around more than my knees like so Qi charging would boost my phone maybe 5-10% a day, if I remember to use it and then find the "sweet spot".

    Biggest one for me is the SD capability. If Nexus prices stayed reasonable and they finally added an SD slot, I feel like they'd multiply customers. Come oooon Google!!

  9. Reply Mr. Juvenal Mueller September 12, 2016 at 7:43 pm

    How big was the screen on the Nexus One? It wasn't one inch.

  10. Reply Leonard Padberg September 12, 2016 at 7:44 pm

    hopefully it will be no more than 5" screen with three cameras with zoom and optical image stabilisation (just like iPhone), and will keep the standard audio connection + massive battery.

  11. Reply Sophie Bins September 12, 2016 at 8:10 pm

    Love that feature on my Nexus 5.

  12. Reply Zane Von DDS September 12, 2016 at 9:26 pm

    Wasn't it? I seem to recall it was.

  13. Reply Sabryna Bayer September 12, 2016 at 10:08 pm

    When I charge a phone I charge it, I get phones with good battery life, so they will more than last a day and then get plugged in over night. I don't run into any safety consideration because I don't use my phone when driving. And I rarely need to charge my phone during the day because it stays in my pockets and I am on the go, I don't need to have it sit on a holder. I have a "wireless" phone, not a phone that need to hover around a charge pad because it take forever to charge. I have no need to route the cable out of sight because I don't have cables on my desk, charge and cable sit in my drawer and only need to be plugged in at home or temporarily in the office at a socket. And I am completely fine with sweatpants if I am sitting on my couch hanging out and no one sees me. You argument is like "hey I need to be in a suit and tie even when I am sleeping because you never know who's going to see me, even though no one will and even if they do, they don't give a crap". Paying more for a slower charging mechanism that still need to be plugged in regardless makes little sense, especially when you get a charger that comes with your phone in the box anyway.
    I am a man, I don't need to impress someone because my desk needs to have a Qi Pad instead of free from clutter, I will let me secretary worry about impressing the clients and have a nice looking desk, I like fast charging and not overpaying and look like a sucker.

  14. Reply Dr. Efren Tromp September 12, 2016 at 10:52 pm

    Lame attempt at, at least?

  15. Reply Roxanne Schiller III September 12, 2016 at 11:41 pm

    WTH? There was a Nexus 5x release last October. Why would they release another with same name?

  16. Reply Reuben Lubowitz September 12, 2016 at 11:58 pm

    3.7"

  17. Reply Dusty Leannon September 13, 2016 at 1:33 am

    Your analysis of the naming of the new phones seems to ignore that Nexus devices are usually named for their screen size, not their version number. I'd say it's more likely that they'd call the new phone a Nexus 5x (2016) than calling it a Nexus 6x.

  18. Reply Dr. Dell Franecki DDS September 13, 2016 at 2:23 am

    recycled rumors and innuendo about once a week. would be more honest if they just said "we don't know…stay tuned"

  19. Reply Jedediah Leffler September 13, 2016 at 4:20 am

    For the cabled charger, you can always put away the charger when you're not using them what's so inconvenient about it, most desks have drawers. It's not like Qi Charger are free from any wires, so it's more professional to have something permanently sitting on your desk than to have your desk clean from clutter when not charging your phone? I guess to each his own. The energy efficiency on wireless charging is far below a wired charger, and forget about fast charge, I can have a charger plugged in for 30 min to get 70-80% battery back, or pay through my nose for a charger that take 3-4x time and energy to charge the same phone and could not be easily put away from my desktop when not used. On top of that, a usb charging cable + charger = ~$20 that doubles as a connection to a PC for quick SD and internal memory access, how much is that Qi charger?

  20. Reply Darwin Kovacek II September 13, 2016 at 4:26 am

    Every time TechRadar talk about Nexus names it's as though they have no idea what the naming convention relates to. It's bizarre.

  21. Reply Percy Steuber III September 13, 2016 at 6:18 am

    I'm interested in three things:

    The sizes.
    5" is the sweet spot for people who carry their phones in their pocket (men). I want a 5" phone with flagship specs! Motorcycle, bicycle, car, desk compatible size.
    Those who like larger phones, I feel like they want a 6" phone or even bigger – but I suppose this time around, they can be the ones to be disappointed.

    Qi wireless charging.
    I'm ready to rampage if we get Google themselves building a metal-bodied (read: signal blocking, wireless-charge-preventing, good for nothing) phone for the 5" size that I want. Wireless charging – the zen of no cords snaking around my car and desk is something I had achieved with my Galaxy S5. And since the 5X was plastic, it could at least be added as a hardware hack. Might as well buy an iPhone if it doesn't have it. Live like a college student with spaghetti wires running everywhere. Ugh.

    Micro SD slot.
    If you read between the lines, Android N has "Adaptive Storage" – you therefore might expect it to have a MicroSD slot. That would be nice. It's yet ANOTHER thing I gave up coming from a Galaxy S5. Fingers crossed.

  22. Reply Mr. Saige Dickens September 13, 2016 at 8:21 am

    Sorry but you dont have any info that they will be relased on sept. Most of rumors point August like android police, and compared to this site their rumors are mostly correct and on the other hands your alwasy was flawed.

  23. Reply Barrett Champlin September 13, 2016 at 8:30 am

    Unless there's a T65 or T70 (7P), looks like I'll be sticking with my Moto Nexus 6 for another year.

  24. Reply Bridget Ankunding III September 13, 2016 at 8:43 am

    I prefer huawei and LG as the Nexus manufactures I hateHTC they're too expensive

  25. Reply Marlee Huels September 13, 2016 at 8:59 am

    I am hoping they will not do like everyone else and make a metal phone more glass etc, for those that buy them they slap a case on anyways so you never see the supposed beauty of the phone anyways. I prefer very light weight and grippy phone durable plastic, carbon fiber with a durable screen and lip around it so would not have to use a case, debating using case with current 5x because it is slippery bigtime! Make the back rubbery matte white and other colors to improve grip!! If it is all metal and heavy will have to resort to a moto or other lighter phone

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