With the October 4th rumored launch date of the HTC-built Pixel and Pixel XL slowly creeping up on us, the rumor mill is picking back up. Various leaks have given us a good look at the design of both phone and their internal specifications, but the new information shared today has more to do with Google’s plans for the new phones rather than the phones themselves. David Ruddock from Android Police took to Twitter to share information that has been shared with him regarding the Pixel and Pixel XL.
David Ruddock from Android Police took to Twitter to share information that has been shared with him regarding the Pixel and Pixel XL. While some of the information is presented as fact, there is a lot that is presented as hearsay or informed speculation. As we’ve mentioned multiple times, rumors are not 100% accurate. Please take the following information with an appropriate dose of skepticism.
The latest Pixel & Pixel XL rumors
The most important information shared by Ruddock is that the Pixel and Pixel XL may be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 821 processor. While there are a few other phones which are already using the Snapdragon 821, the Pixel and Pixel XL would be the first devices released in the US with the new processor.
The two phone will likely be available with 32GB and 128GB storage capacity options. The 32GB Pixel XL’s sale price will likely be set at $650. The price may seem reasonable when compared to the HTC 10 or Samsung Galaxy S7, but it’s significantly more than the $500 sticker price slapped on last year’s 32GB Nexus 6P at launch. Fortunately, the rumor also claims that Google will be offering exclusive financing options for those who purchase the phone through Google’s website.
The increase in price may be spurred by Google’s decision to give the phone a full marketing treatment and compete directly with other manufacturers. Nexus phones in the past have already been a “proof of concept,” highlighting Google’s vision what and the average Android smartphone should include. Now that the Nexus program appears to be a thing of the past, Google may be willing to step thing up with the two Pixel phones, just as Microsoft has done with its Surface lineup in the PC market. This could mean that Google could have a massive marketing plan in the works and will be working with service providers across the globe to get the new phones into the hands of consumers.
The higher price of the phone may keep a few Android enthusiasts at bay who have purchased Nexus phones because they have been cheap. That being said, the Pixel and Pixel XL may be the best selling smartphones Google has ever released if the rumors that the company will be putting together a full marketing campaign to promote the devices. We heard similar claims last week with the news that the Pixel phones would be going on sale towards the end of October in Australia.
In the end, this means that HTC may have a handful of positive quarters ahead. It will be interesting to see how much of an effect HTC’s partnership with Google will have con HTC’s earnings reports.
Source: @RDR0b11
