Google teases Oct. 4 launch date for the Pixel 2
It's Google's turn to announce its new flagship phones now that its rival Samsung launched the Galaxy Note 8 and other rival Apple just unveiled the new iPhone X and iPhone 8 and 8 Plus.
Google will announce the Pixel 2 on Oct. 4, according to its "Made By Google" website.
Visitors to the website will see a splash page inviting them to "Stay tuned for more on October 4" by signing up for news on the new phone via email.
The date is exactly one year from when Google announced its first premium smartphones, the Pixel and Pixel XL.
Beyond the announcement date, Google is only teasing new features with billboards that have been spotted Boston (via a tip from Droid-Life) and a video posted to its YouTube channel.
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The billboard simple says "Ask more of your phone," suggesting the Pixel 2 could have smarter Google Assistant integration.
As for the video teasing the Oct. 4 announcement, it's a series of questions that hint at some of the problems the Pixel 2 will likely solve: battery life, storage, blurry photos, AI, automatic updates, slowness (performance), heat, durability, etc.
Our favorites: "Why is my smartphone so dumb/cruel/impersonal?" That's a good question and Google had better have an answer for why our phones are so cruel. Like, my iPhone 7, just hates me. But maybe the Pixel 2 will actually return all the tender, love, and care I give it...
In all seriousness, there are a few things we think we know about the Pixel 2. Numerous leaks over the last few months tell us there might be two models: a "regular" Pixel and another larger one. Google relied on HTC to actually manufacture the original Pixel, and LG's reportedly been tapped to build them this time around.
The larger one might have an edge-to-edge display, while the smaller one will be more traditional with a large "forehead" and "chin" above and below the screen.
We're also hearing there won't be a headphone jack, the edges might be squeezable just like on the HTC U11, and the design will be an evolution of the current (the glass panel on the back is supposed to look better this time).
Google's also probably going to use Qualcomm's Snapdragon 835 chip and 4GB of RAM -- the same specs used in Samsung's Galaxy S8 and LG's G6. Not a bad combo for top-notch performance.
Android Oreo is a given and so are improvements to the camera, given how important Google Photos is to Google.
If the rumors are true, the Pixel 2(s) could be the phone consumers turn to instead of the Note 8 and iPhone X, especially if Google gives them starting prices that are more affordable than $1,000 Samsung and Apple are charging for their latest and greatest.
Raymond Wong is Mashable's Senior Tech Correspondent. He reviews gadgets and tech toys and analyzes the tech industry. Raymond's also a bit of a camera geek, gamer, and fine chocolate lover. Before arriving at Mashable, he was the Deputy Editor of NBC Universal's tech publication DVICE. His writing has appeared on G4TV, BGR, Yahoo and Ubergizmo, to name a few. You can follow Raymond on Twitter @raywongy or Instagram @sourlemons.
