A new era of Google smartphones is expected in October , with rumors suggesting the tech giant will axe its Nexus line in favor for a new brand called Pixel. Devices called the Google Pixel and Google Pixel XL are expected to run Android 7.1 Nougat out of the box, according to a recent leak from tech informant LlabTooFeR .
Google's Pixel and Pixel XL to be released with Android 7.1 (NMR1).
— LlabTooFeR (@LlabTooFeR) September 5, 2016
Android 7.0 Nougat has been available as an update for current Nexus devices since late August . Rumors suggest Google will soon release its first maintenance update for the system, which may include features missing from the initial launch, such as a new Google launcher, the Google Assistant artificial intelligence software and support for Google’s virtual reality platform, Daydream. That update is expected to release as Android 7.1 Nougat, in time for the Pixel launch.
Reports last Friday suggested Google may announce its new Pixel devices Oct. 4. Longstanding rumors for HTC-manufactured Google devices codenamed Marlin and Sailfish are now expected to be the Pixel and Pixel XL. Marlin and Sailfish may sell for $449 and $599 respectively.
Sailfish may be an affordable premium device with a 5.2 Full HD display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 chip, 4GB of RAM, 12-megapixel rear camera and 8-megapixel front camera, a 2,770mAh battery and a USB Type-C port. Marlin may be a super premium device with a 5.5-inch Quad HD display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 chip, 4GB of RAM, a 12-megapixel rear camera, 8-megapixel front camera and a 3,450mAh battery and a USB Type-C port.
But before the Pixel devices are announced, LG will showcase the first smartphone to run Android Nougat Tuesday evening in San Francisco. The LG V20 will run Android 7.0 Nougat out of the box while the Pixel and Pixel XL will run an updated version of the software, labeled Android 7.1.
