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Here's everything we know about Google's upcoming 'Pixel' smartphones

By Antonio Villas-Boas
Nexus 5X
The Nexus 5X, not the new ones! Ben Gilbert / Tech Insider
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Now that the dust has settled on Apple's recent iPhone 7 event, we're looking at what smartphones Google will announce to follow up their popular Nexus smartphones, which run the pure version of the Android operating system.

So far, it seems like Google might give the upcoming smartphones a new name rather than the traditional "Nexus," and we could see a fresh new design from the company that made the very first Nexus for Google.

Check out everything we know about Google's upcoming smartphones.

There will be two models with different screen sizes.

nexus 5x 6p
Antonio Villas-Boas/Business Insider

Codenames emerged suggesting there will be two new Google smartphones this year.

One of the codenames, T50, suggests one of the models will have a 5-inch screen. The other model's codename, T55, suggests a larger model will have a 5.5-inch display.

Google will ditch the 'Nexus' name and go with something different.

nexus 5x
Marques Brownlee/YouTube

According to Android Police, Google will ditch the "Nexus" moniker and will use the Pixel name the company has used for its home-built tablet and Chromebooks. 

Apparently, the smaller model will simply be called "Pixel," and the larger model will be called "Pixel XL."

HTC and Huawei might be making them.

HTC 10 silver back
Antonio Villas-Boas/Tech Insider

Google commissioned LG and Huawei to make the Nexus 5X and 6P, and it seems like it might keep Huawei for a second inning on the Pixel smartphones.

HTC is also said to manufacture one of the smartphones, but it's still unclear which of the two differently-sized models either company will make.

At least one of the new "Pixel" phones will be made of metal and glass.

pixel nexus render
OnLeaks/Android Authority

Android Authority believes the smaller Pixel model will be made of aluminum and glass.

They will be powerful.

snapdragon 820
Апгрейд на табуретке/YouTube

Most rumors claim the new Pixel smartphones will run on the Snapdragon 820 processor, which is no slouch. 

However, others are saying they'll run on Qualcomm's recently-announced the Snapdragon 821 processors, which are upgraded versions of the 820.

Expect 12 megapixels in the rear camera, and 8 megapixels on the front.

nexus 6p camera
PocketNow/YouTube

According to LlabTooFeR, the new Pixel smartphones will have a 12-megapixel rear-facing camera and a 8-megapixel front-facing cameras.

The larger model could have a super-sharp screen.

nexus 6p
Marques Brownlee/YouTube

Benchmark results obtained by gadget leaker Steve Hemmerstoffer suggest the larger Pixel XL will have a super-shark 2K screen.

Google's smaller Pixel smartphone will supposedly have a regular 1080p screen. 

They'll have headphone jacks.

nexus 6p headphone jack
The Nexus 6P's headphone jack. Antonio Villas-Boas/Business Insider

While Apple ditched the headphone jack in the name of "courage," Google is apparently sticking with the good ol' headphone jack for its upcoming Pixel smartphones.

They'll use USB-C.

nexus 6p usb-c
The Nexus 6P's USB-C port. Antonio Villas-Boas/Business Insider

Google is reportedly continuing to phase out microUSB and keeping USB-C for its upcoming Pixel smartphones.

They'll run the latest version of Android.

android n
Tech Insider

You don't need a rumor to believe that Google will include the latest version of its own operating system, called Android 7.0 Nougat, in its own smartphones. 

It'll be announced on October 4 and released October 20.

Google event Nexus 5X 6P Android M Marshmallow
Google

Rumors suggest Google would announce the new Pixel smartphones on October 4 and release them on October 20. 

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Antonio Villas Boas
Antonio Villas-Boas
Antonio Villas-Boas was a consumer tech expert with over a decade of experience testing and reviewing smartphones, tablets, computers, smartwatches, and phone carriers.ExperienceAntonio joined the Business Insider team in 2015 as a tech reporter on the news desk and moved to the service journalism team in 2020. During his time as Business Insider’s senior tech reporter, Antonio developed industry-leading battery-life tests for smartphones and tablets, and covered and reviewed hundreds (if not thousands) of products from major brands like Apple, Google, Samsung, and OnePlus since as far back as Samsung’s Galaxy S6, the original Apple Watch, and the very first Google Pixel. This decade-plus of experience has given him tremendous insights into what consumer tech truly stands the test of time and what will be irrelevant in just a few years' time (RIP The Pebble).Antonio is also an experienced deal hunter, surfacing the best discounts on phones, laptops, and smartwatches for readers during sale events like Prime Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday. Previously, Antonio was a consumer-electronics analyst at PCMag and ran his own blog. Why you can trust AntonioAntonio approaches all his reviews not only as a tech expert but as a consumer himself. He reads every word of fine print in the phone carrier plans he reviews, and is deeply skeptical of deals that promise you the latest iPhone model for free. (Spoiler: it might be “free,” but you could be stuck with it for three years.)He largely recommends less expensive and small-scale fixes to upgrade your existing tech before considering buying the latest and flashiest in new tech. Antonio believes his role as the go-to “tech guy” for his family and friends extends to his readers as well; he only recommends products that have stood up to the testing process.Scripps News, NewsNation, Fox 5 DC, NBC LX, and Rich DeMuro’s “Rich On Tech” radio show have requested his commentary and expertise. ExpertiseHis expertise includes:
  • Phones, including the iPhone, Google Pixel, and Samsung Galaxy models
  • Phone accessories, including charging cables, phone cases, and protection plans
  • Smartwatches, including the Apple Watch, Galaxy Watch, Pixel Watch
  • Mobile carrier plans, including major carriers and MVNOs
  • Tablets, including iPads and Galaxy Tabs
  • Laptops and computers, including MacBooks and Windows models
  • Computer accessories, including mice, keyboards, and monitors
EducationAntonio graduated from Colgate University in 2009 with a bachelor's degree in history.Outside of workBesides testing tech products, Antonio is also a full time dad to two young kids. His ideal day would be spent on a lake in the Adirondacks.Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here.Learn more about how we test tech and electronics.
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