Like all the previous Pixel phones, the Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL, slated to be announced this October, are going to be Verizon exclusives, reports say.
That means for the third year in a row, Verizon will be the sole U.S. carrier partner for the new Pixel phones, according to a report from Bloomberg.
The publication adds that Google is planning to release at least two new models — a standard one and a larger variant — likely to be named the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL. The bigger of the two sports a nearly edge-to-edge screen save for a thicker bezel on the chin. Interestingly, it will have a notch at the top a la iPhone X.
Previous reports suggest Google will release a third Pixel 3 model for the mid-range market.
Google Pixel
Despite various technical issues, Google's Pixel phones have mostly received critical praise, being dubbed as the best Android phones in the market. Even still, Google lags behind Apple and Samsung in sales and market share, Bloomberg notes. Google shipped less than 4 million units in 2017, says data analytics company IDC. That's strikingly low compared with 216 million iPhones shipped in the same period.
The Mountain View, California company isn't anywhere near done with its smartphone ambitions, however. It's going to keep updating its Pixel line yearly as it continuously attempts to beef up its hardware division, which could play an important role in its long-term growth.
Google Is Relying On Its In-House Team
To prove it's serious about hardware, Google is done relying on other manufacturer to make its phones. Both Bloomberg and WinFuture report that Google will be using its in-house engineering team to produce the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL, then ask a Foxconn subsidiary to handle mass production. This is a significant departure from its typical pattern: with past devices, Google partnered with companies such as LG and HTC.
Google acquired part of HTC earlier this year for $1 billion, a deal that involved handing off HTC's top engineers over to Google.
Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL Will Have Upgraded Cameras
As for the phones themselves, Bloomberg says not to expect much, as the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL will most likely be similar to their predecessors, but with an upgraded rear camera. Also, the larger variant will apparently sport dual front-facing cameras, which is something new for the Pixel line.
It's still only May, which leaves us with several months before Google officially makes an announcement. In that time, plans could change and more rumors will definitely come out. Make sure to check back with Tech Times as we learn more.
