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Google's Pixel 2 To Feature Improved Camera, CPU and Higher Price, Says Report (9to5google.com)
Google's Pixel smartphone was released in October last year, but we're already starting to hear about the "Pixel 2" successor. The "reliable" source told 9to5Google that the next Google flagship will feature an improved camera, faster CPU and higher price tag. Interestingly, the source notes a "budget" Pixel is in the works. 9to5Google reports: We're also now being told, however, that Google is once again focusing intensely on the camera with Pixel 2, that the device is currently being tested with improved chipsets from two different manufacturers, and that it will bring a higher price. Finally, the same source says Google has lately been testing lower-end Pixel devices which would bring lesser specs and a much lower price tag. As for waterproofing, this is a slight change in tone today from this same source that before told us the feature would "definitely" be coming with the next Pixel. Now we're told that the feature is "still on the table," which would suggest a less firm position from Google on the feature. More interestingly, we're now told that -- just like with last year's model -- the Pixel 2's camera will be a major focus for the Mountain View company. Our source says that, specifically, Google is aiming to master low light photography with the next-generation device. We're further told that the phone's camera will "not have large MP size," but will rather "compensate in extra features." Our source says that multiple Pixel 2 models are being tested now with improved chipsets: "some with Snapdragon 83X chips, others with Intel chips." We're also told that MediaTek was at one point collaborating with Google on the Pixel 2, but isn't any longer. Finally, our source has indicated to us that Google is internally testing a "few" prototypes of a device they referred to as "Pixel 2B" which would purportedly be released either "alongside or shortly after Pixel 2." This phone would bring with it a lower-price point and less powerful hardware, and would be "aimed at different markets," our source says. As for the price of the next Pixel, we're told that -- as of the time of this writing at least -- Google is expecting that there will be "eat least" a $50 USD increase in price.
I can understanding wanting a better camera and an improved CPU, but why do we want a higher price?
I'm an American. I love this country and the freedoms that we used to have.
So the number one complaint about the pixel was the cost but ignore it for the next generation? I guess its hard to hear people with your head firmly planted in your anus.
Anecdotally most people I know used to use Google devices, now after two expensive generations no one does.
to pay for the privilege of not having a microSD card!
What the nut? It was already outrageously priced, and they're going UP with it?
Newer product means newer components? Who'd have thought?
So long as it's still in the mega-Pixel range I don't mind a drop in the raw resolution. Megapixels are the ocular equivalent of the old megahertz myth, that more is always better. I doubt an ordinary person can tell the difference between a 20 MP and a 12 MP image or even a 5 MP photo posted on their Twitter page.
Deja vu: In the 80s we had a 70ish actor as POTUS, a woman PM in the UK, and a bald leader of that other nuke superpower
The Pixel has been a dog because it's wicked over-prices (and, you get to give them all your data, too!)
So, it seems to me, this announcement is about how they're going to perform a Solomnic cutting of the baby into two equally incomplete devices, and charge more money for each!
What could go wrong with That Idea???
That would explain the higher price.
... OS/security updates for several years longer than Google's paltry 2 year support window.
Well, there is always the rumor that the (premium priced) Pixel will have a longer support window than the (originally developer targeted) Nexus. I guess we shall know in a few years.
no deal.
The smartphone gossip at the beginning of each year has become very mundane and boring. Despite being promised a "game changer", We know that every new flagship phone will come with an identical latest gen snapdragon SoC, it will have a large high resolution display, plenty of RAM and storage, and they all will look the same.
Of course every new version of any product will be new & improved. Stop this pixel madness. I will get a good camera if i want one. Product prices should decrease with usable essential features thrown in. That shows the company's leadership rather then following 'me-to'. Add something people use daily like a universal remote for house appliances (fan, ac, tv, garage door, etc)
I loved my Nexus 4, I liked my Nexus 5. I couldn't figure out why to upgrade to a 5X. I will never buy a Pixel while an iPhone SE is $400 (that is, approximately as much as a Nexus 4 or 5).
The only question in my mind is, will it have wireless charging?
That was the big deal breaker for the 1st pixel for me. How could this flagship class phone not have wireless charging, something that is almost ubiquitous with high end phones these days. That's why I'm still on my Nexus 6.
What I want is seemingly what a lot of people want:
1) Smaller phone: nope
2) SD storage: nope
3) Wireless charging: nope
4) SD card: nope
5) Larger battery instead of thinner phone: nope
6) Lower price: nope
7) Nexus with no bloatware or lockdown: nope
8) Removable battery: nope
Will the Pixel 2 fix any of that?
But what generally keeps coming out is just larger yet thinner, resolutions ever increasing past what any human can ever see, cameras with more and more resolution that isn't really needed, less serviceable, never enough battery life, never enough storage, more locked down than ever stuff with features added many don't want or care about, but removing features that are useful.... with a huge price tag to boot.
Pixel? Pass. Nexus 6P? Pass. Nexus 5X? Pass. Nexus 6? Pass. Still clinging to my Nexus 5 and hoping....
We're further told that the phone's camera will "not have large MP size," but will rather "compensate in extra features".
The last time a manufacturer did that, the camera ended up being worse for those features.
Then again, Sony keeps on outdoing both HTC and Google on the camera front.
Twitter supports and protects racists - by smearing their critics with the "Hate Speech" label.
Software trickery (like Google) doesn't always save the day while more megapixels can be done well.
HTC relied too much on Google's path and ended up with a lower overall quality camera.
Sony uses some of their high-end, high pixel sensors and ends up not doing too badly with it - better than Google's "software tricks".
Twitter supports and protects racists - by smearing their critics with the "Hate Speech" label.
Yes, but that doesn't mean you can't start with a good sensor that can largely stand on its own.
Twitter supports and protects racists - by smearing their critics with the "Hate Speech" label.
So the number one complaint about the pixel was the cost but ignore it for the next generation?
They can follow the Apple model. Have three tiers of phones at different price levels. The middle tier is basically last year's design, the low tier the design from two years ago.
They are still having major supply chain problems with the Pixel. The Google store hasn't even had the Pixel XL in stock for two months. Best Buy doesn't even sell them because they can't get them. Verizon has a two month backlog and many Verizon customers who ordered a Pixel on black friday still don't have it. Those that do have it report some fairly major camera issues caused by fundamental design failures. Google can't even figure out how to make a proper phone and ramp up production and they're wasting resources developing the next boondoggle? Speaks volumes to their corporate culture.
Don't release a cheaper phone. Why make a half baked phone? People who want a cheap phone should just buy the older generation model. Having to make a cheaper phone depletes the ability and focus on a good product. Make a good phone for $850. That is affordable by 95% of people. It's only about $70 a month. Who can't afford $70 a month? That's less than two days of work on minimum wage for the ability to communicate with anyone and to watch youtube and post crap on slashdot. It's a good deal. What else does anyone need?
In 5 years, that phone that cost $850 will be $199. A $199 phone from today costs the same as an $850 phone from 2012.
A Blu Life One X2 64GB with a fingerprint reader and HD resolution (available since last year on Amazon) costs only $199 and it is the more powerful than an iPhone 5 64GB released in late 2012 that didn't have a fingerprint reader and had a smaller screen with lower resolution screen.
I mean, look the GRT8 cpu from next thing co costs only $6 and includes an ARM7 cpu (presumably made by Allwinner) with a Mali GPU and 256 MB of RAM. That's about as powerful as a high end phone CPU from 2012.
I don't understand why the Android media has gone head over heels for the Pixel.
The S7/S7 Edge phones beat the corresponding Pixel/Pixel XL in several areas - bigger battery, SD slot, water resistance and, currently, lower price and arguably they look better. Oh, and they have wireless charging.
For the consumer, they're better phones. OK, so the Google phones get updates quicker but that's only a consideration for the geek crowd. Assistant is, I dunno, OK I guess but probably not a major consumer selling point. The unlimited photo storage might be nice if you take a lot of photos but other than that, what is the appeal?
Reading most of the Android media I see Samsung getting little attention - it's all about Pixels, OnePlus, even LG, more than Samsung.
To me, the Pixel felt rushed (probably due to Huawei dropping out late in the process and being replaced by HTC as the manufacturer) The design is nothing special and the specs aren't as good as many other current Android flagships that cost less.
Sigs are so 1990s. No way would I be seen dead with one.
... and they will be massive ( people don't want ), thin ( people don't care ) and fragile ( people hate ) and all the reviewers will continue to ignore what people really want and the manufacturers will keep making ridiculous enormophones.
... and they will be massive ( people don't want )
People do want phablets. The reason that the whole industry has gone to big phones ever since the first phablets his the market is because they dramatically outsell smaller phones. Look at Google's Pixel and Pixel XL: essentially the same device, other than size. The XL has dramatically outsold its smaller sibling, to an even greater degree than expected, so much so that Google has a hard time keeping the XL in stock.
thin ( people don't care )
There's not quite as much market evidence here, but thinner phones do seem to sell better. A big part of this is that people associate thick with "old", when it comes to devices, which is probably largely a result of manufacturers chasing thinner and thinner designs. But I think part of it is real, too. I know that I prefer lighter, thinner phones. They feel better in my hand and fit better in my pocket.
and fragile ( people hate )
True, but the fragile part is the screen, and there's really not that much that can be done about that. Extremely hard glass is used to minimize scratches, but that hardness means that sharp force shatters it. Making the screen smaller would help, but people like big screens. Phones are getting much less fragile in one way: the industry is moving towards good water resistance. Not so much that you can take your phone SCUBA diving, or even swimming, but enough that if you take it out in the rain, or even drop it into the bathtub, it'll be fine.
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"feature" a higher price? that's what i look for in a phone.
It isn't worth it to me to pay $600+ for a phone that doesn't look or handle any different from my previous phone and simply has slightly better performance. The Pixel line of phones just are not innovative in anything but maybe the software and if that is the case why the hell do we even have a dedicated expensive line of phones? If Google wants to charge this kind of pricing they need to actually innovate at the hardware level. -See xiaomi mi mix for example.
I'm done with Google phones, guys
They have become too expensive, too large and as bloated as other vendors phones, while nothing on them is unique and somehow stands out.
Improved camera? Who cares, really?
How about more than a day without recharging instead?
Removable battery?
Two SIM cards?
SD card (at least one, better two)?
Size that fits into pants front pocket?
Now if Google could just go to a removable battery and add an IR blaster, Pixel would be perfect.
it will have a large high resolution display, plenty of RAM and storage
The number of flagships that have shipped with >4GB of ram and support for the Verizon network has been pretty close to zero which is why I'm still rocking my 3GB Note 4, not worth upgrading for one more GB of ram. I'm waiting on an 835 based phone with 8GB, preferably with an ~5.2" screen, replaceable battery, SD card support, and a promise to match the Pixel for software support (ie for the 2 years that Qualcomm will provide drivers and then another year of security updates). I know the chances of actually getting that are close to zero, but it's what I'd like if I could order up my current dream phone. I'd even be will to spend more than this new Pixel 2 to get it.
There are 4 boxes to use in the defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury, ammo. Use in that order. Starting now.