LG named as possible manufacturer of Google Pixel successor code-named "Taimen" [UPDATE]

by Milen Yanachkov / Jun 14, 2017, 3:29 AM

LG named as possible manufacturer of Google Pixel successor code-named

New info regarding Google's 2017 smartphone lineup surfaced yesterday, suggesting that the company may have scrapped its previous plans to release a direct successor to last year's Pixel XL. For quite a while, we've been hearing that Google is in the process of testing three different models for this year's Pixel lineup – successors to the Pixel and Pixel XL, as well as a third, larger device. However, yesterday's report suggests that Google may have dropped the XL successor altogether (previously rumored to be code-named "Muskie"), in order to shift its attention over to the new phone, reportedly code-named "Taimen".

Newly leaked information now suggests that this "Taimen" device may be manufactured by non other than LG, with whom Google has partnered in the past for the Nexus 4 and Nexus 5X. A bug report entry from March 2017, found by 9to5Google in the Android Issue Tracker, briefly details a “USB PD Compliance Failure” for a device called "Taimen." The report was reported by an LG employee, who was then asked by a Google rep to move the entry under Android > Partner > External > LGE > Taimen > power in the Issue Tracker.

If this report, and the branch it was moved to, are anything to go by, then LG is indeed working on a device with the code name of "Taimen." If true, this could mean that Google plans to continue the rotation of different manufacturers for its Pixel lineup as well. Last year's Pixel and Pixel XL were manufactured by HTC – which is no stranger to working with Google, either.

According to the latest rumors, Google will be releasing two new Pixel phones this years, the smaller of which (code-named "Walleye") will be a direct sequel to the Google Pixel and have the same 5-inch display, while the larger "Taimen" will be bigger than the Pixel XL. It's currently unclear how big Taimen's display will be, but it may be something akin to the taller, 18:9 (and 18.5:9, respectively) displays found on the LG G6 and the Galaxy S8.

UPDATE: We've reached out to LG for comment on the matter and the company responded to our inquiry with the following:

We value our close partnership with Google and are always looking for opportunities to deepen that relationship.

Bug report mentioning "Taimen", submitted by an LG employee to the Android Issue Tracker

source: 9to5Google

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26 Comments

1. sip1995

Posts: 1771; Member since: Feb 07, 2014

At least it might be cheaper this time.

posted on Jun 13, 2017, 4:40 AM 2

4. sgodsell

Posts: 7038; Member since: Mar 16, 2013

It sounds like the XL version will be physically smaller than the original XL from last year. Yet it will have a larger display. So this is definitely in line with the LG G6, or S8/S8+. The only thing is LG better use an AMOLED display. Especially since it has to be Daydream VR compatible.

posted on Jun 13, 2017, 4:54 AM 3

10. vincelongman

Posts: 5654; Member since: Feb 10, 2013

According to other rumors and David from Android Police: LG will start using their OLEDs for their V30 and Google made a big investment in LG's display division And there's a OLED shortage, which is only getting worse with Apple switching this year (why Google couldn't get hold of Samsung's S8 and S8+/Note8 panels) So Google developed 2 phones with HTC, presumably closer to last year's Pixel in design And an extra phone with LG, with a design similar to the S8 and G6 The reason they didn't fully switch to LG is supposedly incase LG's OLEDs weren't ready in time

posted on Jun 13, 2017, 6:36 AM 2

25. WPX00

Posts: 511; Member since: Aug 15, 2015

I highly doubt Google would let LG release a Pixel with an IPS display. Besides, if the V30 is getting Daydream, there's no reason to believe the Taimen Pixel won't, especially since I expect it to be more similar to the V30 than the G6.

posted on Jun 14, 2017, 6:52 AM 0

27. sockergris

Posts: 50; Member since: May 13, 2017

What's the point of a larger display, when it uses a retarded screen ratio? I really don't get people that only look at the numbers, without any kind of reasoning behind it...

posted on Jun 14, 2017, 2:15 PM 0

6. Bankz

Posts: 2515; Member since: Apr 08, 2016

But wait, does it mean both handsets will sport different designs, seeing as they will be made by different oems? Sort of like the nexus 6p and 5x? Dont think i like this tbh. Phones are suppose to sport uniform designs across the board like the pixels, the iphones, the galaxies, the xperias. Seems google is still stuck in the small mentality days.

posted on Jun 13, 2017, 5:01 AM 1

11. vincelongman

Yep Google is still stuck in the small mentality days They are making a regular flagship and a special flagship Like Apple with their iPhone 7S and iPhone 8 Anniversary Edition

posted on Jun 13, 2017, 6:39 AM 1

13. Scott93274

Posts: 6030; Member since: Aug 06, 2013

No one had an issue with the Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X, they were both unique in design and from different manufacturers. Though frankly, LG's design was a bit on the ugly side, though I think that was because they designed various aspects of the phone, whereas with the Pixel, they're simply manufacturing it for Google and that's it.

posted on Jun 13, 2017, 7:12 AM 2

2. maple_mak

Posts: 953; Member since: Dec 18, 2013

Return of the LG "NEXUS"! Can't wait!

posted on Jun 13, 2017, 4:51 AM 2

3. Bankz

Woohoo! Oled check, small bezels check, gorgeous check.

posted on Jun 13, 2017, 4:52 AM 2

17. Settings

Posts: 2943; Member since: Jul 02, 2014

Bootloops check! The 5X was dreaded with bootloops. I used to love LG since G3 days but not anymore.

posted on Jun 13, 2017, 7:32 AM 1

7. MINDoSOUL

Posts: 322; Member since: Feb 28, 2014

Yes LG>Huawei. Now if only Google copies Samsung S8 design and adds to it dual speakers i will buy this year Pixel in heartbeat.

posted on Jun 13, 2017, 5:30 AM 2

8. shield

Posts: 824; Member since: Sep 12, 2015

LG is Better than HTC. Go LG Go.

posted on Jun 13, 2017, 5:57 AM 5

9. sip1995

And cheaper.

posted on Jun 13, 2017, 6:04 AM 0

12. Cat97

Posts: 1804; Member since: Mar 02, 2017

It's logical. LG knows how to do small bezels, and nowadays huge ugly bezels do not belong on flagship phones.

posted on Jun 13, 2017, 6:45 AM 3

20. omnitech

Posts: 1131; Member since: Sep 28, 2016

Get ready to cry a river ifan. I think the bezels will be smaller yes like the new iPad pro but it should be still big, like HTC U11 size but smaller than Xperia bezels.