Google Pixel and Pixel XL renders: HTC Marlin and Sailfish smartphones leak in fresh images

A pair of renders have surfaced online that show off the design quirks of the upcoming range of Google-branded flagship Android smartphones. The two devices – previously referred to by their codenames, Marlin and Sailfish – are reportedly in development by HTC and will drop the Nexus moniker and instead be named the Pixel and Pixel XL.

The duo are expected to be officially revealed at a launch event next month, with several reports pegging the announcement for 4 October. The Pixel and Pixel XL have been the subject of numerous specification leaks but aside from an early render mock-up, their design has been something of a mystery.

A factory render of the Google Pixel was the first to hit social media, after smartphone tipster Steve Hemmerstoffer (aka. Onleaks) posted renders of the handset. An accompanying 360-render video (below) of the 'Sailfish' device shows off its dual-tone finish, USB-C port, dual stereo speakers and – for those disappointed potential iPhone 7 buyers – a 3.5mm headphone jack.

According to Android Authority, the Google Pixel measures "143.8mm x 69.5mm x 7.3mm at its thinnest point (the bottom) while it is 8.5mm at the thickest point (the top)." Judging by the render, the HTC-made 5in phone will be eerily reminiscent of the Taiwanese manufacturer's own flagship, the HTC 10, with elements also clearly inspired by its spiritual predecessor, the LG Nexus 5X.

As for the larger of the two Google handsets, the 5.5in Google Pixel XL (formerly Nexus Marlin) popped up in a case render on Weibo (via Android Pure). As expected, the Pixel XL closely resembles its smaller sibling, although the dual-tone here will look familiar to owners of the Huawei Nexus 6P. Through the clear case, a Google logo is also visible on the rear of the phone – a design feature that could be present on both the Pixel and Pixel XL as part of the move away from Nexus branding.

The larger Pixel XL is rumoured to have a 5.5in QHD AMOLED display and an 3450mAh battery, whereas the smaller Pixel is expected to offer a 5in 1080p Full HD display and 2770mAh battery. Both devices are tipped to run on Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processors, 4GB RAM and Adreno 530 GPUs and could launch at $449 and $599 respectively.