[UPDATE 10/4/16] It is official! Pixel and Pixel XL (formerly Nexus 2016)

[lopri]

[Update 9/19/16] Youtube hype video!

https://youtu.be/aNnCtmyujLA

Oct. 4th


Are they coming? Any leaks? I have not followed the recent news or product launches, and quick glancing the forum I have not seen a thread about it. I might have read about it and Snapdragon 821 (if such a chip exists) somewhere, but that is about it.

[Update 10/4/16] Specs in courtesy of Phonearena

 

[Commodus]

Yes, though they may not be called Nexus devices (the talk is that they may just be Google Insert Name Here instead).

HTC is making both devices this year (they showed up at the FCC, albeit with limited details). Both would have metal construction with glass elements, fingerprint readers on the back, 32GB of base storage, a 2GHz quad-core Snapdragon chip (most likely either the Snapdragon 820 or 821 -- yes, the latter exists), 4GB of RAM, a 12-megapixel rear camera and an 8-megapixel front cam.

They'd effectively be separated only by screen size, resolution and battery capacity: the 5-inch model would have a 1080p display and a 2,770mAh battery, while the 5.5-inch version would have a 1440p screen and a 3,450mAh battery.

Software-wise, it'll be a bit different than usual. While it will largely be stock, Google is adding its own software that you won't find on other phones. You'd get a custom launcher with tighter Google Assistant integration, and it'd replace the app drawer icon with an ability to simply swipe up to get to your apps (you could also tap a little indicator). This launcher has already leaked, though I wouldn't try it at this point.

I don't think someone has nailed down the launch date, but the phones should come in late September or (more likely) October. For once, the Google phones won't be the first phones with new Android release; the LG V20 will have Nougat first when it's unveiled early in September.

 

[lopri]

4GB of RAM would go a long way to alleviate the page-refreshing annoyance I started to run into on 2GB devices. Maybe Google will show how memory management is done with 4GB devices to the OEMs (ugh, Samsung).

I recently read the Nougat overview and was a bit underwhelmed. I also think Material design needs to slow down or take a fresh, new direction going forward. The appearance of "stock" Android looks way too infantile to my taste, making everything look like a toddler's learning materials.

I wonder why Google did not time the release of Nougat with the new Nexus launch? Is your information more or less a known-secret or an educated guess (by someone on the Internet)?

 

[Commodus]

4GB of RAM would go a long way to alleviate the page-refreshing annoyance I started to run into on 2GB devices. Maybe Google will show how memory management is done with 4GB devices to the OEMs (ugh, Samsung).

I recently read the Nougat overview and was a bit underwhelmed. I also think Material design needs to slow down or take a fresh, new direction going forward. The appearance of "stock" Android looks way too infantile to my taste, making everything look like a toddler's learning materials.

I wonder why Google did not time the release of Nougat with the new Nexus launch? Is your information more or less a known-secret or an educated guess (by someone on the Internet)?

Known stuff. FCC filings only say so much, but they're official. Android Police has supplied a lot of the leaks, but it's considered pretty trustworthy (some leaked photos actually confirmed some 3D renders they did based on descriptions). And heck, Qualcomm has announced the Snapdragon 821 twice -- just today they unveiled performance details. It's about 10 percent faster overall than the 820. No guarantees it'll show up in the new Google phones, but we'll see.

 

[RossMAN]

I'm happy with my Nexus 6 but really want something slightly smaller and fingerprint reader.

So I'll either get a heavily discounted Nexus 6P (Black Friday) or Sailfish/Marlin but I don't know if I can justify the $$$.

 

[Red Storm]

If they're going with the Google branding instead of Nexus and aiming more for general consumers, I wonder if we'll be seeing these phones offered at carrier stores. I would like see T-Mobile carry these.

 

[RossMAN]

If they're going with the Google branding instead of Nexus and aiming more for general consumers, I wonder if we'll be seeing these phones offered at carrier stores. I would like see T-Mobile carry these.

Doesn't really matter to me as long as they continue to offer T-Mobile band 12 support.

 

[dawheat]

Pricing is rumored to be $599 and $449 which would make them cost-competitive against other name brands (Samsung, LG, etc) but the OnePlus 3 at $399 would seem to become the defacto mid-range leader.

 

[Commodus]

Pricing is rumored to be $599 and $449 which would make them cost-competitive against other name brands (Samsung, LG, etc) but the OnePlus 3 at $399 would seem to become the defacto mid-range leader.

To me, Google's timelier OS updates and likely better after-sale support would be worth the extra $50.

 

[ControlD]

I'm happy with my Nexus 6 but really want something slightly smaller and fingerprint reader.

So I'll either get a heavily discounted Nexus 6P (Black Friday) or Sailfish/Marlin but I don't know if I can justify the $$$.

That is pretty much exactly how I feel as well. I still have a bit to go before my N6 is paid off, but I could be convinced to move to this new device depending on price and whether Verizon supports it.

 

[RossMAN]

That is pretty much exactly how I feel as well. I still have a bit to go before my N6 is paid off, but I could be convinced to move to this new device depending on price and whether Verizon supports it.

You financed your N6?

Mind if I ask when (month/yr), what size GB and price you paid?

 

[ControlD]

You financed your N6?

Mind if I ask when (month/yr), what size GB and price you paid?

You could call it financing I guess. The whole thing is a little embarrassing to admit to at this time, but I got my Nexus 6 through Verizon on their "Edge" plan. I believe the phone was $650, so that is split into 24 payments of somewhere around $27 a month applied directly to my Verizon bill. I believe it was May/June of 2015 for the 32GB version.

Of course less than six months after I got the phone it could be found online for around half that price. Lesson learned the hard way.

 

[Insomniator]

Unfortunately after losing my Galaxy S5 last week, I bought an S7 refurb for $450 and could't wait for the new nexus phones. 5.5 is too large - I would have just got a 6P or X Pure instead of the S7 if that wasn't the case.

5" 1080p with small battery for $450-500... meh... doesn't sound very interesting.

 

[RockinZ28]

Wasn't the 6P $499 at launch? I bought it 5 months later for $400.

$599 is way too much to consider upgrading. 6P is still perfect for me anyway. I really just need a modem for my VZW unlimited sim. NoteII is doing that currently, but only gets like 20-40mbps lately, while the 6P can top 130mbps. May just buy a 5X to use as a modem, believe it has the same radio. Hopefully its price creeps down with the new releases, but at those rumored prices it would be doubtful.

 

[lopri]

For $599 there really is no room for Nexus "bonus." It will have to compete directly with other flagships, hardware-wise. IIRC Nexus 6 was not very popular even among enthusiasts, and in my opinion its half-baked hardware was the biggest culprit, after the initial price shock. Google came back with the 5X/6P the next year and they were more positively received. I think the lesson is clear.

 

[RossMAN]

You could call it financing I guess. The whole thing is a little embarrassing to admit to at this time, but I got my Nexus 6 through Verizon on their "Edge" plan. I believe the phone was $650, so that is split into 24 payments of somewhere around $27 a month applied directly to my Verizon bill. I believe it was May/June of 2015 for the 32GB version.

Of course less than six months after I got the phone it could be found online for around half that price. Lesson learned the hard way.

Yeah I can see how that would be embarrassing but sometimes you need a phone and don't have the luxury of time. I'm one of those who bought a brand new Nexus 6 64GB for around $235 in late 2015, granted I had to stack a few discounts but they were widely available.

Wasn't the 6P $499 at launch? I bought it 5 months later for $400.

Since the new "Google" phones are expected to be announced next month and released in October I'll wait for professional and user reviews. Even if they're amazing, I can't fathom paying more than $499, or even $399.

If the Nexus 6P 64GB or 128GB goes on sale this BF/CM I'll probably pull the trigger.

 

[ControlD]

Yeah I can see how that would be embarrassing but sometimes you need a phone and don't have the luxury of time. I'm one of those who bought a brand new Nexus 6 64GB for around $235 in late 2015, granted I had to stack a few discounts but they were widely available.

I guess I don't mind all that much because I still find the N6 to be an awesome phone, especially once rooted with a good custom ROM installed which is pretty much the reason I went with a Nexus in the first place. It's just hard to see the price drop so much shortly after purchasing. I can see the N6 easily lasting me another year or more however.

 

[Chiropteran]

Pricing is rumored to be $599 and $449 which would make them cost-competitive against other name brands (Samsung, LG, etc) but the OnePlus 3 at $399 would seem to become the defacto mid-range leader.

I though they were supposed to be nearly identical in specs except for size? I'd expect the price difference to be much smaller.

What about the Nexus 7P? New tablet by huawai? That is what I am most interested in, my 6P is still holding out well.

 

[agent00f]

I though they were supposed to be nearly identical in specs except for size? I'd expect the price difference to be much smaller.

What about the Nexus 7P? New tablet by huawai? That is what I am most interested in, my 6P is still holding out well.

The prices are just a rumor of questionable provenance. It also claims there some physical material difference between the two models. If true though that means they're basically charging apple prices which android outside of samsung cannot command.

I also use a 6 that I only got after the price fell off a cliff, which is somewhat crippled in large part due to the brilliant decision to shut off half the cores once battery hits 40%, rendering it unusable for some tasks and annoying in many. You need to unlock the bootloader to fix this. Other than that it's pretty good phone, though I might be pushed off nexus or even android if the rumor of a mispriced dud are true, since the 6p is not much better anyway.

 

[tsupersonic]

Android Police reports the new devices will be called Pixel and Pixel XL.

http://www.androidpolice.com/2016/0...phones-will-be-called-the-pixel-and-pixel-xl/

Sent from my Nexus 6P

 

[sweenish]

The name is the least of my concerns. I will be a bit sad to see the Nexus line die out, though.

But, with the Pixel name, I do hope for a light bar. And I hope all the rumored specs are well utilized. The XL is very likely my next phone.

 

[RossMAN]

I can see the N6 easily lasting me another year or more however.

Same here and after coming home from work I plopped my N6 on the wireless charger. One day when I move on from the N6 I'm going to seriously miss wireless charging. I'd like a slightly smaller phone and fingerprint sensor but I can easily see myself using this for another 6, 9 or 12 months.

Heck my beloved Nexus 5 served me a solid 2 years with zero issues.

 

[pete6032]

$449 for Sailfish seems high. I got my 5X for $300 only a few months after release.

 

[ChronoReverse]

Google seems to be trying to up-price their phones by moving away from the Nexus name that's associated with lower cost. Of course they're going to skimp on mass marketing.

Blind to the realities of the market, Google will be SHOCKED when the Pixel phones don't perform to expectations.

 

[tsupersonic]

Google seems to be trying to up-price their phones by moving away from the Nexus name that's associated with lower cost. Of course they're going to skimp on mass marketing.

Blind to the realities of the market, Google will be SHOCKED when the Pixel phones don't perform to expectations.

They've been doing that with the Nexus 6 and 6P, granted both can be had for much less thanks to sales.

The Pixel laptop was super expensive. I like the concept of Chromebooks, but I'd never pay $1000+. I hope the new phones (Pixel/Pixel XL or whatever they're called) are priced like the 5X/6P.