As we get closer to Google's rumored Oct. 4 press event that will see the launch of two new smartphones, details are leaking at a rapid rate. New images show the Pixel and Pixel XL in black and white color options, and a Geekbench test confirms key specs.
Two of the biggest players in the smartphone game have just released or are preparing to unleash two new smartphones that serve as launch devices for its latest major OS release. Apple kicked things off when it officially announced the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, which are the first devices to ship with iOS 10 out of the box. Sales of the new iPhones are off to a great start, with Sprint and T-Mobile boasting the pair have shattered preorder records. A major reason for increased sales of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus have been attributed to all four major U.S. carriers offering free iPhone 7 deals.
As Apple is enjoying a hugely successful iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus release, Google is readying its answer to Apple's new iPhones, which are expected to officially launch as Pixel and Pixel XL. The company is rumored to be holding an Oct. 4 event to unveil the pair, which have been built by HTC. The handsets have been codenamed Sailfish and Marlin, and both have already passed through the FCC and received certification to run on Verizon, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile's 4G LTE networks.
With Google's Oct. 4 event quickly approaching, you can bet that more and more details regarding the Pixel and Pixel XL will leak. A series of images of the Google Pixel and Pixel XL in third-party cases provide a look at the black and white color options both handsets are expected to offer. As you can see in the image above, unlike most of its previous Nexus smartphones, Google is adding a physical home button to both Pixel handsets. The rear camera and fingerprint scanner are also visible.
A new Geekbench benchmark test of the Google Pixel XL backs up previous reports, which claim the new smartphones will launch with an updated version of Android 7.1 Nougat and will be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 (second revision) and 4 GB of RAM. While the Pixel XL's display isn't listed, it's expected to include a 5.5-inch 2,560 x 1,440 Quad HD screen. The handset received a single-core score of 1659 and multi-core score of 3951. The Pixel is expected to include a 5.2-inch 1,920 x 1,080 display and similar specs.
This surely won't be the last time we hear about the Google Pixel and Pixel XL ahead of launch, and we'll keep you posted on any additional details as they become available.
Are you planning on buying a Google Pixel or Pixel XL? Please let us and our readers know in the comments below.
