A leakster had revealed in January that Google is allegedly testing on few prototypes of cheaper “Pixel 2B” smartphone that would release alongside or sometime after Pixel 2’s release. However, Google’s Senior Vice President for Hardware, Rick Osterloh had confirmed in the previous week that Google will not be releasing a budget-friendly Pixel smartphone. The original leakster is now back with newer information that reveals that the search engine is indeed working on a budget phone, but it won’t be releasing with Google Pixel branding.
In a recent interview Osterloh said that Pixel 2 would continue to “stay premium” and he added that there will no cheaper variant of Pixel smartphone. The search engine would let other manufacturers to release lower priced smartphones.
The tipster that spilled beans on the alleged “Pixel 2B” claimed that the same team that is working on Pixel 2 is also building a budget smartphone that will be targeted towards developing markets. He has speculated that it may be an Android One smartphone.
Related: Google Pixel 2 Renders Leaked
As he had said in January, he maintains that the mysterious budget phone is built alongside Pixel 2. It will be sold outside the U.S. If Google is really working on a budget phone with lower hardware specs, it seems that Osterloh was being careful with his words.
As far as Google’s upcoming smartphones with alleged Pixel 2 and Pixel XL 2 monikers are concerned, both phones are slated to release in October this year. These smartphones are expected to arrive with IP68 certified chassis.
Previous rumors have stated that the search engine giant is testing Pixel 2 with custom chipset and SoCs from other brands. However, speculations are rife that it would be running on Snapdragon 835. The Pixel 2 is also pegged to come with an improved camera that may support advanced dim light photography. Compared to the original Pixel smartphone that came with a pricing of $649, its successor is rumored to be $50 costlier.
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