Google’s Android Nougat Flagships Phones Reportedly To Be Called Pixel And Pixel XL

Don't get too attached to Google's codenames for its next flagship phones, Marlin and Sailfish. Cool as they are (especially if you're into deep sea fishing), rumor has it Google will market and sell the devices as Pixel and Pixel XL. If true, it means a departure from the familiar Nexus branding that's been in place the past few generations.

The folks at Android Authority say they've heard from two independent sources that Pixel will be the name for Google's 5-inch Sailfish device and Pixel XL for its 5.5-inch Marlin handset. One of those sources has apparently been "exceptionally reliable in the past," and given that Google's already established Pixel branding with its Chromebook line, it seems at least plausible.

Nexus 6P
Rumor has it Google's next flagship phones won't sport its Nexus branding

If that's the case, expectations will be high for Pixel and Pixel XL. The branding has been reserved for the cream of the crop. The Chromebook Pixel is the most expensive Chromebook on the market at $1,299, a price tag that takes into account its premium construction, premium hardware and features, and high pixel count.

This also calls into question how Google will market the Pixel and Pixel XL. A less reliable source claims Google will pitch its new devices as the first phones built by Google. All the information up to this point suggests that HTC is manufacturing the phones and it would be a little surprising if HTC's branding was completely absent.

Beyond the names and marketing, at least one of the handsets (Sailfish/Pixel) is expected to sport a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 SoC, 4GB of RAM, 32GB of internal storage, a USB Type-C port, 12-megapixel rear-facing camera, and Android 7.0 Nougat.