Last month, Intel introduced the first 8th Generation U-series Core processors aimed at thin and light notebooks. Most folks, however, have been waiting for Intel to unveil the first desktop processors based on the 8th Generation Intel Core processor family. According to a new report, Intel is likely to launch the first desktop “Coffee Lake” processors on the 5th of October. Since the new processor family comes with an increased core count compared to the previous generation, Intel is expected to price the new processors at a premium.

As always, the initial lineup is expected to be very limited, although we are expecting to see at least four new processors with six cores and a few quad-core SKUs as well. In Europe, the entry-level Core i3-8350K will apparently be priced at 199 EUR (Rs.15,300 approx.). The more powerful Core i5-8600K is expected to be priced at 299 EUR (Rs.23,000 approx.), while the mighty Core i7-8700K will be priced at 419 EUR (Rs.32,200 approx.).

SKU	Cores/Threads	Core Clock	Max. Turbo	L3 Cache	TDP	Memory
Core i7-8700K	6/12	3.70 GHz	4.70 GHz	12MB	95W	Dual-channel DDR4-2666
Core i7-8700	6/12	3.20 GHz	4.60 GHz	12MB	65W	Dual-channel DDR4-2666
Core i5-8600K	6/6	3.60 GHz	4.30 GHz	9MB	95W	Dual-channel DDR4-2666
Core i5-8400	6/6	2.80 GHz	4.00 GHz	9MB	65W	Dual-channel DDR4-2666

 

Initially, consumers will be limited to motherboards based on the Z370 Express chipset, which does support overclocking. The mainstream H370, as well as the value-oriented H310 chipset-based motherboards, are expected to become available later this year. For the enthusiast segment, Intel is rumored to debut the Z390 chipset in the second half of 2018. All of the new chipsets use the LGA 1151v2 socket, making them compatible with the Coffee Lake processors. A few upcoming motherboards based on the Z370 chipset have started leaking online already, so we can expect these new boards to be made official alongside the desktop Coffee Lake processors early next month.

Google flipped the script last year when it retired the Nexus line in favor of its own branded handsets. Now all eyes are on the Pixel 2. With improved specs and even better cameras, the new phones are poised to propel Google back to the head of the class with a pure Android Oexperience.

Since the Pixel and Pixel XL landed, the LG G6 and Galaxy S8 have upped the ante for premium phones with their slim bezels and 16:9 screens. So, like last year, we’ll be watching to see whether the next version of Google’s handset can chip away at Samsung’s dominance. Details are already starting to leak about the Pixel 2 phones, so stay tuned to this article for the very latest information:

Pixel 2 design and display

While the Pixel’s iPhone-inspired front seemed somewhat uninspired last year, it looks downright boring next to the bezel-slimming designs of LG’s G6 and Samsung’s Galaxy S8. Rumors suggest that will change. Android Police has gotten its hands on a supposed leak of the Pixel 2 XL rendering, where it appears to have a 2:1 screen like the G6 and S8, much thinner bezels, and smoother 3D edges (though the report says the glass will be flat, not curved). The site claims the new phone will sport a 6-inch AMOLED display manufactured by LG, which makes sense given Google’s reported $900 million investment in LG Display. The picture also shows a similar two-tone rear case with a smaller window of glass around the camera, a feature first reported by XDA Developers.  Android Police says that the XL model will represent “the cutting edge of Google’s engineering and design efforts, while the smaller device will act as a sort of entry-level option.”

Pixel 2 specs, features, and sound

Last year’s Pixel featured the then-top-of-the-line Snapdragon 821 chip, and this year’s Pixel may also incorporate high-quality silicon. XDA Developers claims the phones will be powered by the Snapdragon 835 chip, along with the same 4GB of RAM in the current models. A newer report from International Business Times claims that Google will be using an updated version of the chip, much like last year. The publication says it will be the the first phone to use the Snapdragon 836 chip, bringing “faster throughput with minimal power consumption.” Evan Blass all but confirmed the new chip with in a tweet announcing the date the new phones will be unveiled. However, recent reports say the phones will stick with the Snapdragon 835 chip in the Note 8, V30, and other phones.

Pixel 2 water resistance

It was somewhat surprising that Google opted to skip IP68 water resistance in the original Pixel, but there are signs it will rectify that in its next handset. As 9to5Google explains, the feature is “on the table” for the Pixel 2—although sources had previously informed the site that it was a priority for the next release.

Pixel 2 camera

If there’s one thing you can count on in a new flagship phone, it’s that the camera will be better. 9to5Google reports that Google won’t focus on megapixels with the Pixel 2, but rather will “compensate in extra features.” It’s unclear exactly what that means, but the site says the camera will be a “major focus” in the development of the Pixel 2. Additionally, XDA Developers reports that the Pixel 2 will stick with a single camera rather than a dual setup. And the render from Android Police bears this out, showing a single lens that is much larger than the current model, however it does appear to jut out ever so slightly from the case.

In a blog post, Google has already shown off some incredible results from its experimental nighttime photography techniques that use the existing Pixel camera to generate some incredible low-light images, and we’re hoping some of that processing power makes its way into the Pixel 2.

Pixel 2 price

Premium phones don’t usually go down in price, and the Pixel 2 isn’t about to break that trend. In fact, it might cost more. 9to5Google reports that Google’s next handset will be “at least” $50 higher than this year’s model, meaning it would start at $699 for the 5-inch model and top $800 for the Pixel 2 XL. Furthermore, a comment by Rick Osterloh confirms that the flagship Pixel will stay a “premium” phone, meaning it will fetch many hundreds of dollars.

Pixel 2 naming and release

Conventional wisdom has it that Google’s next phones will indeed be called the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. However, Google hasn’t always been linear with its naming. For example, the Nexus One was followed by the Nexus S and the Galaxy Nexus before the Nexus 4. So Google might throw us a curveball with the next Pixel.

But will it beat the Galaxy S8?

Will it beat the S8? That’s the million-dollar question. The Galaxy S8 is a force to be reckoned with, and Google certainly has its work cut out for it if it plans on besting Samsung’s latest flagship. The features listed here would go a long way toward giving the Pixel 2 bragging rights, but the main thing it needs is availability, both through Google’s online store and through additional carrier support. For more on what the Pixel 2 needs to be the best phone of 2017, read our analysis.