Technology: LG will most likely manufacture Google's next-gen Pixel XL smartphone

Up until now, it was assumed that HTC would manufacture the next Google Pixel smartphone, as it did for the first one, but recent reports indicate that the Google Pixel 2 will be made by LG. The company is reportedly manufacturing Google’s successor to the Pixel XL, which is codenamed ‘Taimen,’ as suggested by a bug report log that was uncovered in the Android Issue Tracker’s database.

According to 9to5Google, a bug entry from March by an LG employee notes of a “USB PD Compliance Failure.” In turn, a Googler replied asking for this previously “discussed” bug to be closed and move under: Android > Partner > External > LGE > Taimen > power.

Early this year, Google had offered to invest at least 1 trillion won ($880.29 million) to help LG Display Co Ltd boost output of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) screens for smartphones. The paper said Google offered the investment to secure a stable supply of flexible OLED screens for its next Pixel smartphones.

Rumors around the Google Pixel 2 have been in the news for a while now. The first leaks on the subject suggest that the search giant's next-gen Pixel smartphones could get fully dust and water-resistant builds. Google apparently plans to improve the onboard camera, particularly for low-light performance. However, it's as yet unclear whether the upgrades will come from new hardware elements via the sensor or from software upgrades via the camera app. The camera is already a major selling point for Google's current Pixel handsets, billed as the "highest-rated smartphone camera ever."