Google Pixel 2 detail releases hit the leak valve

The first two bits of information about the Google Pixel 2 and Google Pixel XL 2 have been spilled. It's the names of the devices, code-names along the lines of previous releases, that've gone and brought us into the excitement realm. This first dabbing of information suggests that codenames Muskie and Walleye have been chosen for the next Pixel smartphones.

Since the names don't generally give us much information or imply any relevant information, we wont focus too much on what they mean. Only that the larger of the two is likely the Muskie, while the Walleye is very likely the smaller of the two. These names are provided by sources speaking with Android Police, and given the context and the history of Google with such names, there's no real big reason to doubt it.

Testing appearances by these devices may end up being as strangely plotted as the first set of Pixel phones. Since they both used the same processor and all other internal gear save the display, only one appeared in test bins for Android. Some of the time, that is. This time the same thing might well be true – again, there's no reason to assume otherwise at this point.

To refresh on what the first set of Pixel smartphones ran with, have a peek at a pair of specs from launch. These specifications show the Pixel and Pixel XL as they already exist. This is what the baseline is and what Google will likely out-do for the 2017 editions.

Google Pixel (2016)• Display: 5-inch 1080p AMOLED, Gorilla Glass 4• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 @2.15GHz• RAM: 4GB• Internal Storage: 32GB, 128GB• Camera: 12MP back-facing camera with 4K video recording, EIS, 1.55um "big pixels" f/2.0, video stabilization• Front-Camera: 8-megapixel• Battery: 2770-mAh• Connectivity: USB-C, Bluetooth 4.2, Wi-Fi, 4G LTE, 3G, nanoSIM, NFC• Additional: Fingerprint Scanner, IP53 water/dust resistanceGoogle Pixel XL (2016)• Display: 5.5-inch 2K (2560 x 1440) AMOLED, Gorilla Glass 4• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 @2.15GHz• RAM: 4GB• Internal Storage: 32GB, 128GB• Camera: 12MP back-facing camera with 4K video recording, EIS, 1.55um "big pixels" f/2.0, video stabilization• Front-Camera: 8-megapixel• Battery: 3450-mAh• Connectivity: USB-C, Bluetooth 4.2, Wi-Fi, 4G LTE, 3G, nanoSIM, NFC• Additional: Fingerprint Scanner, IP53 water/dust resistance

At this point there's little more to say about either device's replacement. Instead, have a peek at our recent "5 Months Later" Pixel Review to see how the market has changed. And see how the Pixel XL has held up during that time – spoiler alert: it's held up remarkably well!