Google Pixel 2: No Dual Cameras, No Headphone Jack Michael Kwan August 4, 2017 News Aside from the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Note8 and the Apple iPhone 8, perhaps the most hotly anticipated phones yet to be released this year are the Google Pixel 2 and the Google Pixel XL2. Understandably, the rumor mills have been churning out possibilities non-stop and it looks like the latest news might not be as peachy as we had hoped. According to a couple of leaked images of this year’s Pixel 2, the Google flagship is doing away with two major features. First, unlike so many other top-tier smartphones kicking around these days, it’s not going to have a dual camera setup on the back. Different manufacturers have taken slightly different approaches to the dual camera thing. Some have gone for two different focal lengths to provide telephoto and/or wide-angle possibilities. Some have gone with one monochrome and one color camera for better image quality, faster focusing, or simulated bokeh effects. Apparently, neither the Pixel 2 nor the Pixel XL2 are going to do that. What’s more, it looks like the 3.5mm headphone jack is going the way of the dodo bird. Many other flagships have taken the same “courageous” step, so be prepared for more dongles and/or increased use of wireless headphones. As noted earlier, the current rumors say that HTC will be responsible for the smaller Pixel 2 (codenamed Walleye), whereas LG will be making the larger Pixel XL2 (codenamed Taimen). In both cases, it sounds like front-facing stereo speakers are in the cards, as well as the squeeze-sensitive frame we see in the HTC U11. Lose one thing, gain another, I guess. Expect the two new Pixels to reveal themselves in the fall. Share This With The World!
