We’re learning a lot about the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL this week, even though we’re still months away from anything being official out of Google. As Android enthusiasts, we’re digging it.

In a new report from Bloomberg, it’s said that Google has chosen Verizon to be the exclusive carrier partner for this year’s Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL, which doesn’t really come as much of a surprise. Verizon has been an exclusive carrier for past Pixel and Nexus devices, so this continues the trend.

In-House Pixel

A bit more interestingly, both Bloomberg, and WinFuture out of Germany, report that Google will not utilize the help of an established OEM partner to produce the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL. Instead, Google will utilize its in-house team of engineers to create the device, then leave mass production up to a Taiwan-based Foxconn subsidiary.

This is a much different approach for its smartphone business, but similar to what Google has done with its Pixelbook and Chromebook Pixel laptops. With past devices, Google has partnered with companies such as LG (Nexus 5X, Pixel 2 XL) and HTC (Pixel 2) to make its Pixel phones. We suspect this change is in relation to Google’s $1 billion purchase of HTC’s engineering group. I mean, you don’t buy a $1 billion team of engineers and then not use them for this exact purpose, right?

Speaking about the upcoming phones specifically, sources of Bloomberg state the Pixel 3 will be much like the Pixel 2, but buyers can look forward to an updated camera on the backside. For the Pixel 3 XL, it will sport dual front-facing cameras inside of the display’s top notch, along with the same updated single camera on the back. No surprise, these descriptions align similarly to the leaked screen protectors we wrote up.

I don’t know about you, but I am getting pumped about these new Pixel phones. It’s only May, though, meaning we have a long ways to go before we see them in official light.

// Bloomberg | WinFuture (German)