Google says the Pixel 2 will launch this year and it'll be pricey

If there was ever any doubt that Google would release a successor to the Pixel and Pixel XL, its best smartphones ever, you can now lay those fears to rest and sleep easy at night.

Speaking with Android Pit, Rick Osterloh, Google's Senior Vice President of Hardware, confirmed the company will release a new Pixel smartphone this year.

"There is an annual rhythm in the industry. So, you can count on us to follow it," Osterloh said. "You can count on a successor this year, even if you don't hear a date from me now."

He also reaffirmed the Pixel will remain a premium device with a premium price, which means it likely won't start at a price that's lower than the current $650 for the 32GB Pixel (a 128GB version sells for $100 more). In other words, Google's really done with selling premium phones at affordable prices, like it did for years with the Nexus devices. Read more...