Google today released new Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL smartphones at an event in San Francisco.
Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are Google’s first self-branded devices since it announced the acquisition of HTC’s team in $1.1 billion agreement back in September in a bid to beef up its hardware division.
Both Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL phones have Snapdragon 835s processors, 4GB of RAM and between 64GB and 128GB storage. Both devices have front-facing stereo speakers and single rear 12MP cameras with an f/1.8 aperture and optical image stabilization.
Both phones feature OLED displays, with Pixel 2 having a resolution of 1080pixel and XL of 2880x 1440.
Both Pixel and Pixel 2 XL are waterproof but lack headphone jacks.
Both phones also support “Active Edge,” which means you can squeeze their sides to trigger certain actions. By default, It’ll launch the Google Assistant and silence phone calls.
Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are Google’s first self-branded devices since it announced the acquisition of HTC’s 2000 employees back in September
Google vice president Rick Osterloh said company’s new devices are designed to better integrate hardware and software with artificial intelligence.
“They’re simple to use and they anticipate your needs,” Osterloh said.
“You interact with your devices naturally with your voice or by touching them.”
The Pixel 2 will come in three colors: white, blue and black. The 64GB version of the device is priced at $649 while 128GB version costs $749.
Pixel 2 XL will be available in just two colors –white and black, with price starting at $849 for 64GB and going up to $949 for the 128GB version.
The pre-orders for the devices will begin on October 17th.
Besides Pixel and Pixel 2 XL smartphones, Google also launched a slimmed down version of its digital assistant connected speaker — Google Home Mini.
The new speaker, which response to voice commands using artificial intelligence, is priced at $49 in the United States.
Google chief executive Sundar Pichai said the release of new devices is the continuance of company’s shift from a mobile-first to an AI-first world.
“We are working on software and hardware together because that is the best way to drive computing forward,” he said.
Google also unveiled a new Pixelbook laptop, a 12.3-inch display machine which is powered by Chrome operating system.
The laptop will go on sale in the US starting at $999.
