The Google Pixel 2 phone will launch later this year and insiders suggest it could have a curved screen display like the Samsung Galaxy S8.

Reports suggest Google is investing $880 million (£709 million) in LG's flexible organic light emitting diode (OLED) screens.

The original Google Pixel phone was launched in October 2016 and the 'Pixel 2' is due to be launched this autumn which would make it in direct competition with Apple's iPhone 8.

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Reports suggest the Google Pixel 2 phone, which is launching later this year, could have a curved screen display like the Samsung Galaxy S8 (pictured)

GOOGLE PIXEL 2 The original Google Pixel phone was launched in October 2016. The 'Pixel 2' is due to be launched this autumn which would be in direct competition with Apple's iPhone 8. Reports suggest Google are investing $880 million (£709 million) in LG's flexible organic light emitting diode (OLED) screens. The report suggests that LG is yet to sign the massive investment offer proposed by Google. Advertisement

Increasingly curved screen are being adopted by smartphones and it seems Google want to move in this direction too, according to South Korea's Electronic Times.

The report suggests that LG is yet to sign the massive investment offer proposed by Google.

Last month, the head of hardware at Google confirmed that the firm is developing a second-generation Pixel for the ‘premium smartphone market’.

The confirmation comes from Rick Osterloh during an interview with AndroidPT.

‘There is an annual rhythm in the industry,’ Osterloh said in the interview.

‘So, you can count on us to follow it’

‘You can count on a successor this year, even if you don't hear a date from me now."

Reports suggest Google is investing $880 million (£709 million) in LG's flexible organic light emitting diode (OLED) screens for their Pixel 2 handset (pictured is first-generation Pixel handsets)

Google debuted the first smartphones in its Pixel line during a conference in October 2016, a Pixel and the 5.5-inch Pixel XL.

Both phones are available in 32 GB ($649 for the Pixel, $769 for the XL) and 128 GB ($749 for the Pixel, $869 for the XL) – prices that surpass Apple’s iPhone line.

Although the Pixel 2 release would fall around the same time as the iPhone 8, Google is focusing on the upper price segment of the market.

Osterloh stated that ‘Pixel stays premium’ and the firm will ‘leave lower price segments to other manufacturers’.

The original Google Pixel phone (pictured) was launched in October 2016 and the 'Pixel 2' is due to be launched this autumn which would be in direct competition with Apple's iPhone 8

The firm launched the Pixel line around the same time as the iPhone 7 was revealed.

'We believe the next big thing will be at the intersection of hardware and software,’ Osterloh said in October. And he also took aim at Apple, saying the phone has 'no unsightly phone bump'.

Brian Rakowski of Google said the phone was 'designed inside and out to be smart'.

He said the Pixel's new camera was better than the iPhone 7.

'It's the best smartphone camera anyone has made,' he said.

GOOGLE PIXEL SPECS The Pixel runs on a Snapdragon 821 2.15GHz processor. The handsets come in 32GB or 128GB models, with microSD card slots enabling an additional 256GB of storage. The first-generation Pixel is be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 chip They have 12.3 and 8-megapixel cameras and a full HD AMOLED screen with Gorilla Glass protection. Fast charging gives 7 hours of use in 15 minutes Included is Google's AI assistant, Allo for messaging and Duo for video calls. Free online storage for pictures and video Is be available in US on Verizon and in an unlocked version from $649. The first-generation handset range includes two new phones, a Pixel and the 5.5-inch Pixel XL Advertisement

If an autumn release date is in order, Google’s second-generation phone would go head-to-head with Apple’s launch of its rumored iPhone 7s and highly-anticipated iPhone 8 – which could give Google some competition.

Apple’s upcoming flagship is said to be packed with cutting-edge technology and have a sleek design.

The rumours, which have been surfacing since last year, suggest that the handset will have an OLED wraparound screen, biometric technology and even wireless charging.

And although Google has its sights set on the premium market – the iPhone has been speculated to cost $1,000 (£806).