Google-Branded Pixel and Pixel XL Smartphones to Launch on October 4: Reports

Google last month was reported to be dropping the Nexus-branding, and launch the Android 7.0 Nougat platform lead devices under its own brand. Gadgets 360 had also learnt that Google may release the new smartphones "in a handful of countries including India" in September. Now, a new report claims that the new Nexus smartphone successors will be re-branded as Pixel and Pixel XL. A separate report claims that Google is prepping for an event on October 4 where it will showcase the new hardware products.

Android Police reports, corroborating our earlier report, that the Pixel smartphone will be the 5-inch Sailfish device which was making rounds in rumours while the Pixel XL will be the 5.5-inch Marlin smartphone. The report adds that both the Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones will be touted as the "first phones built by Google." An earlier report claimed that the upcoming Google smartphones will be priced higher than the current Nexus devices at launch, pegging the 5-inch 'Sailfish' smartphone to be priced at $449 (roughly Rs. 30,000), and the 5.5-inch 'Marlin' smartphone to be priced at $599 (roughly Rs. 40,100)

The anticipated Google-branded smartphones will also come with features over and above vanilla Android, which fits well with Sundar Pichai's statement that Google is looking to be more opinionated with its own lineup. This may see a revamped launcher, and Google Assistant features.

Apart from the Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones, Google is expected to launch a brand new 4K Chromecast that can stream content in 4K and might be dubbed Chromecast Plus or Chromecast Ultra. Another device rumoured to make its way at the October 4 event is the company's in-house Daydream VR viewer device. It is rumoured to be called Daydream View. Android Police cites reliable sources confirming the October 4 Google launch event.