Mar 04, 2017 01:11 PM EST By Emily Schultz, UniversityHerald Reporter

Google Pixel might be getting some iteration. The search giant is reportedly planning to release a second Google Pixel smartphone this year. But the rumored device is said to remain a premium product, juts like the previous Pixel device.

According to Engadget, the news about Google Pixel 2 was first revealed by Rick Osterloh, VP of Google Hardware division, at a press event at Mobile World Congress earlier this week. Osterloh also added that the planned Google Pixel 2 device is set to release later this year, saying that users may count on a Pixel successor for this year, even they don't hear words about the release date.

The Google Pixel and Pixel XL mobile devices were first introduced in October 2016, marking the search giant's first proper foray into the smartphone market. The mobile devices allow the search giant to directly compete with arch-rival Apple and eventually cementing Google Android as a premium mobile platform.

The two Google Pixel mobile devices carry the latest Android 7.1 Nougat. But the real highlights of the Pixel device is the camera, which ranks as the best smartphone camera. This is because Google has equipped the phones with some sort of software optimizations on board, such as HDR+, thus providing first-class mobile experience. The device also features unlimited cloud storage on Google Photos.

While Pixel sales have been steady, the devices have still experienced some bumpy rides along its way, which include technical challenges such component shortages. But this hasn't stopped the company's plans to continue investing in its mobile device and even dream for another mobile device.

According to Tech Radar, Google doesn't have the plan to turn the planned Google Pixel into a lower-tier device, which means that the planned new Pixel device will remain a premium product with a high price tag. This may be disappointing to some Pixel users who were still hoping for a lower-tier Pixel, but rumors are rife on the web that a cheaper version is now in the works. Google gave no further comment on this story.

As for the hardware specs, there's not much information about the rumored device, but the device is expected to feature a number of hardware improvements on the first-generation Google Pixel device. These might include a more powerful mobile processor and larger memory space and storage space.

Additionally, the new Pixel might be the first to run Google's new Android 8.0 Oreo, which is rumored to be the next version of the Android mobile operating system. There's also some reports swirling that the Google Pixel 2 might feature some kind of waterproof design, a first of its kind.

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