The Pixel 2 Squeezes In ‘Active Edge’

The Pixel 2 won’t feature a display as impressive as what’s coming on the larger Pixel 2 XL, according to recent leaks. But a filing that HTC made with the FCC confirms a number of things about the smaller Google-branded smartphone expected to debut sometime in the next couple months. For one, the FCC documentation confirms that HTC is definitely making the thing.

The original Pixel and Pixel XL were both manufactured by the company, but this year it’s been rumored that LG is handling the larger model. Both will share a very similar rear design with smaller glass ‘window’ than the first Pixels, but the HTC-made Pixel 2 isn’t slimming its screen bezels to nearly the same extent as the XL variant. On the plus side, it’s likely to include dual front-facing speakers for richer audio playback. Sadly, no amount of squeezing will get you a headphone jack; both Pixel sizes are rumored to be ditching it this time.

The FCC filing also confirms that HTC is bringing over the squeezing gimmick from its U11, which allows the phone to perform certain functions when you apply pressure to its sides. This time, it’s called ‘Active Edge’, and sample screenshots included in the documentation show that by default, a squeeze of your hand will activate Google Assistant.

At least during this testing phase, the Pixel 2 is running Android 8.0.1 with the most recent August security patch. Android 8.0 hasn’t yet been released, but it’s likely to arrive soon for the Pixel and Nexus hardware.

The FCC filing also confirms that like 2016’s Google phones, the Pixel 2 will work on every major US wireless carrier — and it includes LTE band 12 for enhanced data performance on some of them. As Android Police notes, this FCC filing comes exactly a year after the commission received similar documentation for last year’s Pixels, so even though it’s only mid-August, we might still be waiting until October for Google’s next flagships.