There have been a lot of rumors about Google’s upcoming Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL smartphones. Some have suggested that they might be the first smartphones to run on Qualcomm’s as yet unannounced Snapdragon 836 processor. A new report to the contrary has been published online today. It claims that the Pixel 2 will actually be powered by the existing flagship Snapdragon 835 chip from Qualcomm.
Qualcomm hasn’t officially announced the Snapdragon 836 as yet. However, it’s easy to speculate that it will be a slightly improved version of the Snapdragon 835. Xiaomi’s upcoming Mi Mix handset is expected to feature this new chip.
Previous reports have suggested that the Qualcomm Snapdragon 836 might debut with the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL this fall. The folks at XDA Developers forum claim to have heard from “an extremely reliable source” that the Pixel 2 won’t receive the Snapdragon 836.
The report says that these handsets won’t be powered by the Snapdragon 836 because this processor “simply does not exist.”
Apparently, there’s no Snapdragon 836 in development over at Qualcomm. Many expected that it was a real iteration of the existing flagship chip given that Qualcomm has released minor upgraded variants of its high-end chips previously.
Whether or not Qualcomm has an improved chip in the pipeline for the fourth quarter of this year remains to be seen. The company hasn’t confirmed or denied the existence of the Snapdragon 836 just yet.