Google Pixel XL 2 (muskie) to be reportedly axed for a bigger LG-built Pixel phone (taimen)

Multiple reports in the past have suggested that Google is working on three Pixel phones, Pixel 2 (Walleye), Pixel XL 2 (Muskie) and bigger Pixel smartphone codenamed Taimen. Now according to a new report Google has axed one of its upcoming Pixel phones.

Android Police citing "three separate sources" states that Google has axed the 5.5-inch Pixel XL 2 codenamed Muskie in favor of the larger Pixel Taimen, and it will be succeeding the Pixel XL. The reason is unspecified. 

The smaller one will be codenamed Walleye, and will be the successor of the 5-inch Pixel 2. This means like last year, Google will still have two Pixel phone to release: Walleye and Taimen. Taimen is expected to have a screen size between 5.7-inch and 6.2-inch.

Meanwhile a separate report claims that one of the Pixel 2 phones will will be manufactured by LG and not HTC. 9to5Google have discovered an issue on the Google Issue Tracker, titled 'USB PD Compliance Failure.' which revealed that 'Taimen' will be manufactured by LG. 

This is no surprise, as LG has previously worked with Google on three Nexus smartphones (Nexus 4, Nexus 5 and Nexus 5X). Moreover, a report earlier this year claimed that Google and LG formed a "strategic partnership" and the Pixel maker might use LG's display for the upcoming Pixel line.

Considering that the Pixel 2 will be reportedly manufactured by two different OEMs, we can also expect the design of both Walleye and Taimen to be different, much like the 2015's Nexus line (Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X).

Google has already confirmed Pixel 2 line is coming later this year, some time in the fall, most likely October.