Google must have already started working on the next generation Pixel devices, possibly Pixel 3 smartphones. However, a new report now claims that the search giant will release a mid-range smartphone running Android Go optimised version of Android. The Mountain View-based company so far has released four Pixel smartphones, and all of them are pitted against the Samsung Galaxy S devices and Apple iPhones. The upcoming mid-range device from Google will bear the Desire moniker. This makes completely sense as Google has acquired a part of HTC's hardware section very recently and could be looking to replace the Taiwanese giant's mid-range section of phones.
This report came from a Chinese blog named Qooah outlining that the Google Desire mid-range phone will make use of either the Snapdragon 600 series or the upcoming Snapdragon 700 series chipset. Of course, we have the Pixel 3 coming out with Snapdragon 845 SoC later this year.
Another interesting aspect of this leak is the Android Go presence. When Google announced the Android Go last year, it said that it's aimed at devices with less than 1GB of RAM. But will Google use a Snapdragon 600 or 700 series chipset and 1GB RAM on its smartphone? Well, that just sounds terrible. Surely the device will sport more than 4GB of RAM.
A recent report highlighted that Google is working on a mid-range Pixel device for emerging markets such as India and this leak is in-line with it. But the presence of Android Go is something very hard to believe. Google optimises its software better than anyone else, which is the reason why the Pixel devices have become so popular in such a small time. Google used to do the same with Nexus lineup, but that was a bit different as it took help from OEMs to manufacture the device.
Summing up, Google is just looking to bring back the Nexus lineup with a different moniker, at least in markets such as India. If Google manages to launch a smartphone with Snapdragon 660 SoC or upcoming Snapdragon 710 SoC below Rs 30,000 and offer pure stock Android, Pixel range cameras, then it will attract a lot of consumers out there.
Having said that, we don't have any concrete evidence that Google is working on a mid-range device and the company is yet to reveal its plans for the same.
