Google's new Nexus phones will be called Pixel, Pixel XL, launch expected October 4

Recently a report suggested that Google is dropping Nexus branding from its upcoming lineup of smartphones. Now Android Police has confirmed that the upcoming Nexus devices codenamed Marlin and Saiflish will not have the Nexus moniker, instead they will be called Pixel and Pixel XL respectively.

Pixel also happens to be Google's lineup of devices, which it introduced last year. Currently the Pixel lineup includes two devices including Pixel C tablet and the Pixel Chromebook. The report also says that Google plans to market the Pixel and Pixel XL as the "first phones built by Google".

The latest report is in line with a previous report that said Google wanted its own Nexus smartphone to have more control over design and hardware. Moreover, the upcoming Pixel and Pixel XL will not run vanilla Android, instead will have tweaked Android UI with new features.

Even though this year's Google's phones are being manufactured by HTC, it will not have the HTC branding. Instead the Pixel and Pixel XL will have 'G' branding as seen in leaked renders. The 5-inch Sailfish will be called Pixel, and the 5.5-inch Marlin will be Pixel XL. The phone will reportedly have Snapdragon 820 SoC, 4GB RAM and 12MP cameras.

Lastly the report says, in addition to two new Pixel smartphone, Google is also working on an updated 4K-capable Chromecast, that will be called Chromecast Plus/Ultra and DayDream VR based Daydream View headset. All these products are expected to go official at an event on October 4.