The Google Pixel XL was the best smartphone of 2016 beating the so-called best smartphones such as Samsung Galaxy S7 and Apple iPhone 7. However, both the Pixel and Pixel XL have priced aggressively, which is somewhat unusual and no one expected from Google. And that's one reason why the Pixel phones disappointed the search giant in terms of sales.
For the same, there were some rumours claiming that Google might be killing the Pixel lineup due to the poor sales, whereas some rumours claimed the existence of an affordable Pixel 2 smartphone. Nevertheless, both the news mentioned above will go down as just rumours as we now have an official confirmation about the next-generation Pixel phones.
At the roundtable discussion during the recently concluded MWC 2017 event in Barcelona, Spain, Google's Senior Vice President of Hardware, Rick Osterloh, speaking with AndroidPit has confirmed that the existence of the successor to first generation Pixel smartphone. He claimed as follows: “You can count on a successor this year, even if you don't hear a date from me now."
In the same discussion, Osterloh also confirmed that the next-generation Pixel phones would also stay premium, same as the current Pixel phones, which might be a huge disappointment for masses out there.
Google's intentions are pretty clear with the Pixel phones: To match the heavyweights such as Samsung and Apple neck-on-neck. The Google Pixel and Pixel XL were priced similarly to the Apple iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, but never got going, at least in India. And in some countries such as the US and UK, getting a Pixel smartphone was a distant dream as Google always ran out of stock.
Also, the Google Pixel XL is the best camera smartphone of all time, thanks to Google' unique software enhancements that helped in achieving the feat. Barring the best smartphone award, the first-generation Pixels had a major letdown in the form of design. Yes, Google was heavily questioned for the design of Pixel phones.
And to make the Pixel 2 a good smartphone, Google needs to address the design issues and keep the camera top-notch as they did with the Pixel and Pixel XL. As per Google's product roadmap, the Pixel 2 lineup will be announced sometime in October 2017. Do you like the decision of Google keeping the Pixel in premium segment? Let us know in the comments section below.
