Google To Launch 3 Pixel Devices In 2017 Equipped With Snapdragon 835 Chipset

Instead of the usual two devices, Google is set to launch three Android smartphones in 2017. All three Pixel phones would be run by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 835 chipset. According to the Android Open Source Project, the three smartphones are identified by the codenames Walleye, Muskie, and Taimen.

Phone Arena reports that Walleye is a sequel to the Pixel XL. Muskie would be the follow-up to the regular Pixel phone. But the tech website does not know Taimen. Based on speculations, it could be a new tablet or another phablet with a screen bigger than Pixel XL. But all three would sport the Snapdragon 835 chipset.

Google rolled out the Pixel and Pixel XL in 2016. The codenames of the three upcoming smartphones with the Snapdragon 835 chipsets are names of fish, GizBot reports. Since Taimen is the biggest salmonid in the world, speculations are that the Google phone would have a large screen.

GSM Arena notes that since Qualcomm has not announced a successor to the Snapdragon 835 chipset, it is expected that the three upcoming Google Pixel phones would use the top-of-the line SoC. Since Tiamen is known only by its codename, there are speculations it is the true successor to the Motorola Nexus 6 or possibly be the next Google tablet since the Pixel C that was launched in 2015.

Besides the three upcoming Google smartphones, Samsung’s Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus also sport the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chipset. On Monday, Microsoft and Qualcomm announced it would launch in the fourth quarter of 2017 Windows 10 laptops powered by the Snapdragon 835 chipset. It is the second attempt of Microsoft to bring Windows into ARM-based hardware after the failed Windows RT.

Win Future, a German website, says the Snapdragon 835 powers 27 percent more on a smartphone, but is 15 percent smaller. It uses 25 percent less power and compared to Snapdragon 821, its predecessor, has an extra long battery life.