Describing their source as “trustworthy”, the Android teams were able to consult what would be the roadmap for Google’s Pixel smartphones for the next three years. Information including code names, sizes and ranges of devices. What to get an idea of the future of the line of Google terminals.
They are called “Lynx”, “Felix”, “Akita” or “Komodo” and they arrive in the next three years. “They” are the code names of future Google Pixel smartphones for which Android Authority teams have seen a roadmap. Citing a “trustworthy” source, our colleagues validated the information. While issuing a reservation not on the first models of smartphones, but on the longer term roadmap.
Read also: Pixel 7 Pro review: Google teaches the competition a lesson (Oct 2022)
Like any business plan, the one established by Google involves more or less advanced developments and elements more or less set in stone, the most distant terminals being logically the most subject to change or even jump! – according to technical advances and sales results of previous models.
2023: Pixel 7a, Pixel Fold then Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro
The start of 2023 should be marked by the arrival of two terminals from the antipodes: the entry-level with the Pixel 7a and a very high-end Pixel Fold, which will be Google’s first folding smartphone. Two devices that should be announced at Google I/O.
“Lynx” or the Pixel 7a would follow in the footsteps of the Pixel 6a in terms of price ($449 HT in the USA). The roadmap did not make it possible to establish the technological developments foreseen by previous information leaks (90 Hz screen, wireless charging).
“Felix” or Pixel Fold will therefore be Google’s response to terminals from Samsung, Oppo, Motorola, Huawei and others. Here again, we only know the price: $1,799 excluding tax.
Read also: Google Pixel 7 review: the (almost) ideal smartphone (Dec. 2022)
Later this year, as usual, Google will unveil its “8” series: the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. Called “Shiba” and “Husky” respectively (in ascending order of the size of the dogs they refer to!), these two terminals should be more different in screen size than the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro are. And they should be powered by a new chip codenamed “Zuma” which would become “Tensor G3” under its commercial name.
2024: Pixel 9 (three models?) and maybe another folding one
The horizon of a little over a year is, as our colleagues from Android Authority point out, more certain and depends a little on the results of sales of previous models. The presence and specifications of a possible Pixel 8a “Akita” are entirely dependent on the sales of the 7a in 2023.
“Komodo” and “Caiman” are the code names for those that could be the “smaller” Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro. The first should include a 6.7” screen and the second a 6.3” screen. The “just short” Pixel 9 doesn’t have a code name, but should be there, which would make this batch the first with three models. According to our colleagues, Google wants to replicate Apple’s range effect here and these three terminals would be “set in stone”.
They would all be powered by a new “Redondo” chip which should be branded “Tensor G4” to the public.
2025: the fate of folding chairs finally sealed?
The Android Authority source reveals that for the year 2025, Google teams have considered two scenarios that will depend on the previous two years. The first involving the arrival of a competitor to Samsung’s Z Flip, a classic “Pixel 10” and two “Pixel Pro” models (thus generation 10).
The other scenario would rule out any folding model, whatever its shape. And would be satisfied with four terminals: two classic models of different sizes (iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus equivalent) and two pro models (iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max equivalents).
Half Apple, half Samsung (but in double sights)
According to Android Authority, Google’s roadmap is to replicate the successes of Apple’s “classic” and Samsung’s “folding” lines. With questions about the late arrival of a “flip” model in 2025, when it is this type of device that sells the most (three times more sales than the Fold at Samsung). The question being whether Google has the internal resources to combine the two strategies into one.
By taking a step back, we are also entitled to ask ourselves questions about the rise in power of pixels. And given the results of the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro tests, the extensive advertising campaigns (and the sales figures that follow!), this rise in power is obvious. Between its in-house NPU for which its entire software stack is optimized (to the detriment of Qualcomm and other Mediatek NPUs), its exclusive applications for Pixels (health tracking or dictaphone with text transcription), Pixels are slowly but surely forging their reputation .
Read also: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2: Qualcomm unveils the flagship processor for high-end smartphones of 2023 (Nov 2022)
If that didn’t have too much impact in the early days when Google’s market shares were very modest, its weight gain in global market shares will begin to seriously compete with its customers/partners. And this question of “separation of powers” also arises from the point of view of American and European legislators. So lawyers and other antitrust legal specialists have already begun to assess how Google should be cut to limit its power… In our opinion, more than the sales figures for its Pixels, it is these two variables that could have the most weight. on the development of this roadmap which has just been leaked.
Android Authority
