Google Pixel an Pixel XL as seen on Google Store
Google Pixel an Pixel XL as seen on Google StoreGoogle Store

Google released its premium devices – the Pixel and Pixel XL – in October last year, and it appears like the search giant has started preparing for the release of its new device, as more details have started leaking over the last few weeks. It has now emerged that the Google Pixel XL successor aka Pixel XL 2 is codenamed 'taimen'.

The search giant is expected to release its new flagship in the fourth quarter of this year, perhaps in October as the Pixel and Pixel XL will complete a year cycle in the market by then. Google shelved its Nexus-series, which was known for its aggressive pricing, and entered the "premium" category with its Pixel devices.

Also read: Google Pixel XL vs Sony Xperia XZ Premium vs Samsung Galaxy S8: Which device should you buy?

A dig into the Android Issue Tracker has unearthed enough hints that South Korean technology company LG is making the Pixel XL successor codenamed 'taimen', according to a report by 9to5Google. It reported that an LG employee pointed out a "USB PD Compliance Failure" in a bug entry from March. Then a Googler claimed the said bug has been closed and has moved on to: Android > Partner > External > LGE > Taimen > power

It indicated that LG is making Google's Pixel XL successor codenamed 'taimen.'

Google Pixel XL as seen on Google Store
Google Pixel XL as seen on Google StoreGoogle Store

Interestingly, Android Police has reported that Google has stopped development on muskie, contradicting earlier reports that the successors of the Pixel and Pixel XL could be codenamed "walleye" and "muskie." 

There is no word on the specifications of the Pixel and Pixel XL as yet.

It may be noted that Google released Pixel XL along with the smaller screen Pixel last year. The 32GB ROM variant comes with a price tag of Rs. 54,000 and the 128 GB model at Rs. 63,000 (current price). It features a 5.5-inch AMOLED capacitive touchscreen with 1,440x2,560 pixels (534 ppi pixel density), a Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor, an Android 7.1 Nougat operating system, and a 3,450mAh battery with fast charging technology.

The device also mounts a 12MP main camera with f/2.0 aperture, phase detection autofocus, dual-LED (dual tone) flash, 1/2.3" sensor size and 1.55µm pixel size, and an 8MP front-snapper with f/2.0 aperture, 1/3.2" sensor size and 1.4 µm pixel size.