Google Pixel XL Rumored to be Telstra Exclusive Down Under; New Call and Text Plans Revealed
Google Pixel XL will have 5.5-inch screen, improved camera features and will carry Android Nougat 7.0 OS.
Aside from dropping the name Nexus on its HTC-manufactured phones, Google is rumored to be going back to basics when it comes to choosing its mobile carriers. According to a report from Ausdroid, the largest mobile carrier in Australia, Telstra, will be chosen as its exclusive carrier for at least one Google's new Pixel phones.
Nexus 5 and Nexus 6 unpopular because of their mobile carriers?
Telstra is indeed Australia's biggest mobile carrier. However, reports say that this move by Google could be worrisome. To recall, Google has experimented with several other mobile carriers, especially with their Nexus labeled phones that did not fare well in the market.
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This deal would mean that only Telstra customers will be allowed to purchase the phones. Customers who do not use Telstra may only be able to purchase unblocked Pixel XL phones. Unblocked Pixel XL phones are not recommended since these may not be from Google.
The last time Google made an exclusive carrier access to their Nexus phones in the US did not work well. The tech company ended up giving other carriers the go signal to sell their Nexus 5X and 6P phones.
Calls and text plans for the Pixel XL
Telstra was able to get the Nexus 5X in 2015 but was not able to market the 6P. Codenamed Marlin, the Pixel XL will be marketed full force by Telstra with a list of plans for calls and text for customers.
Pre-orders for the Pixel XL will start on October 4 while the carrier announced that it will officially launch on the 20th. At this time, Telstra customers will be able to avail the Pixel XL with its 6GB data complete with unlimited calls and text for only $95 AUS a month. More information about other plans for talk and text will soon be announced by Telstra.
Pixel and Pixel XL launch
Reports said that the Pixel and the Pixel XL will be launched early October and it looks like Google is pushing for an October 4 launch date. There are also rumors that Google will also launch a new Huawei Nexus 7 processor.
The two phones will have identical aesthetics and the only difference is the screen size with the Pixel having 5 in and the XL with 5.5 inches. The two will have QHD AMOLED screens, Qualcomm Snapdragon 521 processors, 32GB or 128 GB storage and 4GB RAM. There will be a dual 12MP and 8MP camera while the XL will have better camera specs.
The Pixel and the Pixel XL will both come with the Android 7.0 Nougat operating system with new features such as split-screen, better security, support for Vulkan API, and improved night modes. With the Nougat 7.0 upgrade, the two phones will be able to use Google's Android-powered VR platform called Daydream.
