Google is expected to unveil two new Pixel phones this October, follow-ups to its excellent Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL flagships. Recent reports have suggested there'll be third model that should appeal to mid-range markets.
Now, newer rumors say that Google is working on a mid-range device powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 710 processor, which should make it one of the first few phones to have that CPU.
It's not clear whether this phone is the previously rumored mid-range Pixel device or another device entirely.
Mid-Range Pixel Phone
Trusted industry insider Roland Quandt of WinFuture is the first one to mention about the processor, and he additionally claims the phone will ship in the first half 2019. Quandt says he doesn't know if there'll be a similar model released this year and that he isn't privy to any specifics about the device. He did note, however, that hardware development had only started about a month ago.
While it's being speculated that this is part of the Pixel line, it's not really certain what that entails exactly. In fact, the Pixel line has always been associated with premium and top-tier devices, so bringing in a mid-range phone will be new ground for Google to cover. Perhaps it'll be named differently, though that's very unlikely because the company has been working really hard on bolstering the Pixel brand. At any rate, it seems to be a fairly smart move because a mid-range phone could expand Google's hardware reach and put pressure on Android manufacturers such as Xiaomi and Huawei, whose mid-range portfolios are pretty robust.
Qualcomm Snapdragon 710
More than anything, the processor is the most interesting detail about this rumored phone. The Snapdragon 710 is the successor to the Snapdragon 660, and it should deliver significant performance improvements, a 30 percent decrease in battery consumption, and support for machine learning and advanced artificial intelligence features.
Pixel 3 And Pixel 3 XL
In related news, Google might announce the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL at its hardware event this October. Like their predecessors, these phones will reportedly be exclusive to Verizon in the United States. Google is making the devices itself instead of relying on third-party manufacturers for the job, rumors say. A Bloomberg report additionally claims that the phones won't be changed much but should gain significant upgrades in the camera department. The larger variant will have two selfie cameras, a first for the Pixel line if true.
If Google releases a mid-range Pixel device, would you buy it? Does it make sense for the Pixel brand to accommodate non-premium hardware? As always, if you have anything to share, feel free to sound them off in the comments section below!
