Google Pixel, Pixel XL release date, news, rumors: New Nexus handsets to be released on Oct. 4

The Google Nexus 2016 smartphones have long been rumored to appear before the year ends. Just recently, Google has ended the months of speculations, confirming that the company will be holding a special press event on October 4. This event is said to unveil the next handsets developed by Google in partnership with HTC. Formerly known as the Nexus, the next batch of Google smartphones is going to be rebranded into Pixel.

According to the latest reports, Google will be using the October 4 event to unveil their latest Android smartphones, but unlike the previous handsets from the company being called the Nexus, the public will see a few changes this time around. Google may formally drop the Nexus label and start using the Pixel moniker for their latest offering.

The upcoming Google event, called TenFour, is now being promoted on YouTube and other social media destinations. Specifically, in one of their posts on Twitter, a promotional video shows a Google search bar transforming into a brand new smartphone shape. Many tech enthusiasts that the smartphone appearance in the teaser is that of the upcoming Pixel device, but Google prefers to keep the important details under wrap for now.

Meanwhile, the Android Police speculated that the upcoming Pixel handset is going to be much more expensive compared to the previous Nexus devices. This is due to Pixel's advanced features that are made to contend with Apple's latest iPhone 7 and Samsung's Galaxy S7 smartphones. According to the publication's unspecified sources, Google Pixel will have $649 tag price. The high-end Pixel variant, Pixel XL, is expected to be a few bucks more expensive than the base model.

Previously, the Google Nexus 2016 smartphones had the codenames Sailfish and Marlin. The base model is the Sailfish while the high-end variant is the Marlin, but this time, Pixel and Pixel XL are going to be the official names of the new Google smartphones.

Meanwhile, there are rumors that the Pixel was already shown in a recent Nest commercial in Netherlands. The full appearance of the smartphone used in the commercial was not seen, but the glimpse of it resembles that of the previously leaked images of the Google handset. This further suggests that the Pixel is ready to be unveiled very soon.