Smartphones with front side notches are so in this year (and we probably could blame Apple’s iPhone X for this, and to some extent, last year’s Essential Phone), and it appears that Google’s own flagship series of devices -- the Pixel -- might start to join in on the fun soon. As recently reported by Bloomberg, the tech giant’s upcoming Pixel 3 XL will likely be the newest high profile Android powered smartphone offering to sport the front side notch, joining Huawei’s P20 flagships, LG’s G7 ThinQ, and the OnePlus 6.
The said front side notch is rumored to house a couple of front facing cameras. Also according to Bloomberg’s report, Google’s yet to be announced Pixel 3 XL handset is also expected to be equipped with an edge to edge display with only a single bezel on the bottom section. But wait -- what about the smaller Pixel 3? Speculation has it that the regular Pixel 3 will not feature a notch nor an edge to edge screen.
For two straight years now, Google has unveiled a new Pixel smartphone in October. Although availability is somewhat limited as compared to other flagship offerings (apart from Google itself, only Verizon Wireless is directly selling the device; although when purchased unlocked, the handset can be used on other carrier networks), the company’s Pixel lineup of devices still command attention each time it gets updated with a new model.
Pixel fans have lots of reasons to feel excited, and the notch is definitely one of them. Back in February early this year, there were reports of the possibility of Android P (the upcoming newest iteration of Google’s Android mobile operating system, and is yet to be officially named) offering full support for smartphones with displays that feature a front notch. And who better to demonstrate this functionality by having Google itself integrate it into its next generation Pixel phones.
Furthermore, German website WinFuture has reported that Google will be teaming up with Taiwanese electronics manufacturing giant Foxconn in developing new screens for the latest Pixel models.
Also, earlier this month noted leaker extraordinaire Evan Blass had posted a tweet saying that aside from the new Pixel phones (and new Pixel Buds), Google will also be debuting a new Pixel smartwatch later this year. The world’s most popular search engine has already proven that it can do smartphones, and it should be interesting to see if it can pull off a wearable device that could give other Wear OS running watches a run for their money.
