The Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are real. We’ve seen them in the flesh, first the Pixel 2 front panel, then its back cover. Renders from days ago showed the glaring absence of the cherished 3.5mm headphone jack (a rumor that has persisted since March), which is becoming one of the most significant changes to this year’s Pixel lineup. And recently, Pixel 2 XL had been granted FCC certification, which is one of the final steps between product development and product launch.
At this point, the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL exist, but what can be known about them? Droid-Life, who has leaked several upcoming Google products, answers that question for us, as the site has gotten its hands on pricing, monikers, and the clearest image leaks we’ve seen to date.
The HTC-manufactured Google phone code-named ‘Walleye’ will be called “Pixel 2.” The LG-manufactured Google phone code-named ‘Taimen’ will be called “Pixel 2 XL,” not “Pixel XL 2” as many presumed it would be named.
According to the most recent leak, Pixel 2 will retain the near 5-inch display of its predecessor and come in three colors: Kinda Blue, Just Black and Clearly White. The “Clearly White” and “Kinda Blue” colors will be exclusive to the Pixel 2 (not available for Pixel 2 XL), the later color being a lighter shade of last year’s Really Blue Pixel. The Really Blue Pixel from last year was a darker shade of Blue and was a US exclusive – and hard to find. The Kinda Blue Pixel 2 will be available for all buyers, we assume. There will also be a Black and White-colored Pixel 2 XL, which looks rather interesting.
The Pixel 2 is expected to come in 64GB and 128GB storage variants, with the 64GB Pixel 2 costing $649, or $27.04 a month for 24 months by way of Google financing, and the 128GB Pixel 2 $749 or $31.21 a month. Like Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL will have 64GB and 128GB storage variants. They’ll cost $849 (64GB) or $35.38 monthly for 24 months, and $949 outright (128GB) or $39.54 per month for 24 months, respectively. This is a little higher than most of us were expecting, especially given the lack of freebies, though perhaps Google will throw something in to sweeten the deal. This seems to be the trend of late.
Google has confirmed a hardware event to happen on October 4. The two phones have been confirmed through Google’s event teaser, and other accessories and gadgets are said to be introduced during the San Francisco showcase as well, just like at last year’s Made By Google event, including a Google Home Mini, new Daydream View headset, plus more. Both Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL appear to have bands for all four major US carriers, but we still don’t know if they’ll be sold as Verizon exclusives or gain some other carrier support. We look forward to seeing what else Google has planned, and this probably won’t be the last leak you’ll see, so stay tuned.
Are you impressed with the color selection? Do you think the pricing is taking a turn for the worse? Let us know in the comments.
