Google Pixel 2 Gets FCC-Certified With Android O, Snapdragon 835 And 'Active Edge'

The Google Pixel 2 edged closer to its launch after being certified by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and according to the regulatory filing, the device will come with Android O and Snapdragon 835, features long expected.

The device, expected to be launched in the next two months, will also have a new ‘Active Edge’ feature, similar to Edge Sense on the HTC U11.

A screenshot of the device in the filing displays the feature, which is expected to be a gesture-based trigger for the voice assistant. Pressing the edges of the display is expected to trigger the Google Assistant. On the U11, the gesture can also be used to open apps or even take photos.

According to PhoneArena, the device will also have different navigation buttons, with the home button doubling as the trigger for the assistant.

The device is also expected to have a 64GB base variant since the leaked screenshots showed 50GB free space, with 14GB expectedly being used for internal applications. Previous Pixel handsets started at 32GB.

The screenshots also show the model number— G011A — of the device, which was mentioned earlier by Wi-Fi Alliance, which certified the device’s Wi-Fi capabilities, bringing it a step closer to launch.

Generally, Google’s flagship devices are launched alongside its Android iteration for the year. This year’s iteration— Android O — is expected to be launched on Aug. 21, according to phone leaker Evan Blass.

Since everything is adding up, including the FCC certification, it seems Google might opt for an early release date for the Pixel 2. Although launching it in August, rather than in October when previous handsets were unveiled, might seem a little unusual; it will mean that despite its huge success, the first-generation Pixel’s life cycle would be 10 months, rather than the usual year.

The presence of Active edge also belies previous rumors of an edge-to-edge display like the Samsung Galaxy S8; leaked images last week also support this assertion.

According to the leaked images, the new Pixel device will look similar to its predecessor. The only difference in form seems to be a much larger camera module.

Google might have had its own reasons for not going in for an edge-to-edge display, and these bezels might house the speakers. Google has in the past equipped the Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X with front-facing speakers, and might have done the same for the Pixel 2.

While the device is being made by HTC, the display is expected to be manufactured by LG. This means the device could come with a 18:9 display, and would not be a total disappointment in terms of screen surface area. While it might not have S8’s use of edges, it will at least utilize most of the display and will not have a thick bottom bezel like the first-generation Pixel.