Google has already confirmed that the Pixel 2 will be no different from the current Pixel phones, coming in with the same premium touch as the predecessors.
While this might be good news for many Google Pixel fans out there, the story is not the same as far as lovers of Google Nexus phones are concerned. In fact, the launch of the Pixel-branded phones was in itself a let-down from Google for some fans, but it seems the search engine giant has a plan to replace the budget-friendly Nexus lineup with a new non-Pixel phone that should run stock Android OS.
According to the report, the search engine giant is already working on this budget phone, but the specific release date is not yet known. This goes hand-in-hand with a previous report that had claimed Google will be working together with other OEMs in pushing the budget-friendly Android One phones into the U.S. market, but it cannot be confirmed whether this is indeed an Android One phone in question here.
On the contrary, the latest report clarifies that the budget Pixel phone will not be sold in the U.S., instead, it will be directed to emerging markets, if at all it ever leaves the prototype stages. Again, this goes hand-in-hand with the current situation as far as Android One phones are concerned. The brand is sold in emerging markets and comes preinstalled with stock Android OS and all software updates are handled directly by Google. This means that the devices receive updates at the same time with other Google devices.
As for now, it cannot be confirmed whether this phone will come without a Pixel branding or if it will indeed take after the mentioned Android One branding. All that the report can confirm at this point in time is that there is a budget Android phone being developed by the same team that’s behind the Google Pixel 2 and that it will not be sold in the U.S.
We’ll keep following the matter and update you on the latest developments. Stay tuned!