Google’s Pixel 2 event is tomorrow and here’s what we’re expecting

Google seems to like being last when it comes to major product announcements, but maybe saving the best for last is the way to go. Starting tomorrow at 12pm Eastern Time, their Pixel 2 event will be action packed. Along with the highly anticipated new Pixel phones, Google will announce a host of new products, from a convertible Chromebook to a cheaper Google Home. Lets take a look at everything we’re expecting.

It wouldn’t be much of a Google Pixel event without new Pixel phones, and Google has a pair from both LG and HTC. Starting with LG’s larger Pixel 2 XL, it will likely have a 6-inch AMOLED panel (18:9 aspect ratio) with front facing stereo speakers. IP67 water and dust resistance will join the show, and it’ll sport an updated design that borrows a little from Samsung’s Galaxy Note 8. Unlike the Note, however, there won’t be a headphone jack. The top two pictures were recently leaked by Evan Blass and allegedly show the final design, while the bottom four show the smaller Pixel 2.

The Pixel 2 XL will come in two colors, “Just Black” and “Black and White”, and retail for  $849 (or $35.38/mo) for a 64GB model and $949 (or $39.54/mo) for a 128GB model. The latest rumors claim that it won’t be available to buy until mid-November.

The smaller Pixel 2, built by HTC, will have a 5-inch (maybe 5.5-inch) screen and also sport front facing stereo speakers. It’s not 100% clear if the aspect ratio will be 18:9 or 16:9, but the huge bezels from last year are unfortunately making a return. We’re getting three colors this time around – “Just Black”, “Clearly White” and “Kinda Blue”. They’ll also have an IP67 rating and ax the headphone jack.

The Pixel 2 will retail for $649 (or $27.04/mo) for a 64GB model and $749 (or $31.21/mo) for a 128GB model, and should be available to buy in mid-October.

An interesting software change is seen in the Blass leak, bringing the Google search bar to the bottom, just above the navigation buttons. Based on the pictures, I’m not really liking the change (is it Oreo 8.1?), but we’ll see how consumers take to it.