We’ve known about the Google Pixel 2 XL, codenamed “Muskie”, for some time now. It was supposed to be the successor to the hugely popular Google Pixel XL. I say ‘was’ because at least three reliable sources now claim that the Google Pixel 2 XL will not make it out of the gate this year.
According to Android Police:
“Based on information from three separate sources, we are now confident that Google has shelved plans to release one of its upcoming Pixel phones. The device, codenamed ‘muskie’, was intended to succeed the Pixel XL.
“We rate this information 9 out of 10 on our rumor confidence scale. We have corroborated this story with several sources we deem reliable.”
But it’s not all bad news. We’ve also known that Google has been working on a third model of Google Pixel 2, dubbed Taimen and also referred to as Google Pixel 2 XXL. Even if Muskie is scrapped per the rumors, Google could still have two devices to release this year.
However, the Taimen is purported to be much larger than the Pixel 2 XL, which means it could get very close to the 6-inch Nexus 6, which was codenamed Shamu, incidentally. Shamu is the original killer whale, or orca, that was captured in 1965 and survived for about six years at SeaWorld San Diego. She was a big mammal, no doubt.
So Taimen probably won’t be as big as the Nexus 6, but it could be very close to 6 inches. Such a large display, unless it’s on an extremely narrow-bezeled smartphone, would be quite a big device.
To confuse matters even more, the Google Pixel 2 XL was actually spotted on GFXBench just a few days ago. It showed a significant change in dimensions, where the current 16:9 aspect ratio of the screen would be changed to an 18:9 aspect ratio, similar to the Galaxy S8 and the LG G6.
If the latest rumor is true, then it could actually be the Taimen that’s going to be released as Google Pixel 2 XL. That’s a plausible outcome when you think about it – one regular-sized Google Pixel 2, and a much larger Google Pixel 2 XL.
The fact that Google was exploring three models could have merely meant they were prototyping different sizes see what would better suit their requirement for a second-generation Google Pixel XL.
In the end, of course, rumors are all we have to go on. Google could change its mind at any time, the information may prove inaccurate or a number of things could happen between now and when the devices go into mass production.
Let’s wait and see how this plays out.
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