Google Pixel 2: 7 Expected Features Including Android O, No Headphone jack, Snapdrgon 835 And More

A Google Pixel successor has been confirmed for 2017 and is expected to launch in October, one year from the launch of its predecessor – the first Pixel handset. Multiple media reports are calling it the Google Pixel 2.

The device is expected to be Google’s flagship device for 2017 and rival phones such as Samsung Galaxy S8 and iPhone 8. It will also pose a challenge for Google — to build on the success of the original Pixel device. To do so, the device will have to match up to, if not be better than these devices and of course, the original Pixel device.

Apart from this, Google is expected to have learnt its lessons from the hardware and software issues plaguing the original Pixel handset and not repeat its mistakes in the new one. Just like its predecessor, the Google Pixel 2 is also expected to be made by HTC.

Here are 7 expected features of the Google Pixel 2:

USB-C connectivity: Google is expected to ditch the audio jack for a USB-C port, according to reports emerging Tuesday. If Google does so for its flagship device, this could be an indication of what the company has planned for the Android ecosystem. Simply out, all Android devices in the future could come devoid of a 3.5mm audio jack, having a USB-C port for Audio input instead.

Snapdragon 835 Processor: The Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor is expected to be the processor of choice for most companies for their flagship phones and Google seems no different. The 10nm technology-based processor will provide better performance and battery usage than existing processors.

Edge-to-Edge QHD OLED display: Google is expected to upgrade the display resolution in its next handset to 1440 x 2560p from 1080 x 1920p on the current device. In addition to this, the company is expected to endow the device with an edge-to-edge display to compete with a similar feature on iPhone 8 and Samsung Galaxy S8.

Dual-camera with DSLR-like imaging: According to Wccftech, the Google Pixel 2 is expected to come with a dual camera, which will replace the camera on the original Pixel device that is known for its image quality but suffers from issues such as lens flare.

Android O: Just like the previous Pixel device and Nexus devices before it, Google’s 2017 flagship device is expected to come with the latest Android update, Android O, expected to be launched at Google I/O in May.

Water-resistance: Compared to the IP58 protection on the current Pixel device, the next device in the series is expected to come with IP68, which is the highest standard of water-resistance currently available for smartphones.

More gestures for the fingerprint sensor: Apart from unlocking the phone, the fingerprint sensor on the current Pixel device lets you swipe on it, to pull down the notifications bar. A feature, which could be endowed to the Pixel 2 and could let more functions be accessed from the fingerprint sensor such as double tap to activate the camera. There is no indication if company would include this feature, but endowing the already multi-purpose fingerprint sensor with more features sounds logical, according to what we have seen on Google’s flagship devices in the past.

Whether and how Google includes all these features in the Pixel 2 remains to be seen, as the device is expected to come with a $649 price tag, same as the current Pixel device.