Google Pixel, Pixel XL release date, specs rumors: USB Type-C, dual stereo speakers

The current-gen Google Nexus 6P. According to speculations, improvements and tweaks will feature in its follow-up, though not necessarily in the Nexus lineup. Screengrab/ Google Nexus 6P

Speculations suggest that Google will be rebranding its 2016 Nexus flagships as the Google Pixel and Pixel XL. Meanwhile, the supposed specs place new improvements on the iterations, including USB Type-C connectivity and dual stereo speakers.

In an exclusive, Android Authority published a 360-degree render of the new Nexus "Sailfish," dubbed to be rebranded as the Google Pixel. The HTC-made flagship has been rendered in full based on the supposed leaks of the device. One noted improvement on the new Google flagship is the shift from microUSB to USB Type-C connectivity, as well as what looks like dual stereo speakers on the bottom of the device.

Meanwhile, though the renders only showcase the re-named Nexus Sailfish, it is also expected that the new features will also make it to the HTC Marlin, the device dubbed to be the Pixel XL.

Under the hood, it is expected that the two new flagships will offer the officially-released Snapdragon 821 processor, as well as 4 GB of RAM. The phones will also be supposedly running on Android Nougat 7.1 right out of their boxes, and they will also have at least 32 GB of onboard storage. It remains to be seen if Google will offer different storage options for the two flagships. The two devices will also feature the same camera setups — a 12-MP main shooter at the back and an 8-MP selfie shooter.

Although the two flagships have similar specs, one of their main differences is their displays. The base model, the Google Pixel, is supposed to feature a 5.0-inch AMOLED screen with full HD display. The larger of the two, the Pixel XL, is expected to come out with a 5.5-inch display that sports 1440 x 2560 resolution.

As to when fans can expect the two new flagships to roll out, speculations indicate that Google may have inadvertently given a hint, featuring Android 7.1 Nougat for its new iterations. This means that the Pixel and Pixel XL will come out soon, with rumors placing October as their debut month.

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