Google Pixel XL successor, 'Taimen' could be made by LG

Google has reportedly shelved the plans for the Pixel XL successor to focus on another smartphone codenamed 'Taimen' instead. Now a report suggests that Taimen will be built by LG and not HTC. The latter reportedly has a two-year contract for building Pixel-branded smartphones.

According to 9to5Google, LG is the preferred OEM partner for one of the Pixel-branded smartphones said to arrive later this year. The report corroborates previous details that HTC might be working on Pixel successor codenamed Walleye, while LG could be handling the large-screen variant codenamed Taimen. The information is based on a bug report inside the Android Issue Tracker.

I can independently confirm that my sources indicate LG is the manufacturer of taimen. https://t.co/WG6Q8KOu4W

— David Ruddock (@RDR0b11) June 13, 2017

A previously unreported bug entry cites an LG employee complaining about a problem with USB Power Delivery. A Google employee replied to the issue saying that the bug can be closed by moving it to Android > Partner > External > LGE > Taimen > Power. The information has also been confirmed by Android Police editor David Ruddock citing sources familiar with the development.

If rumours are anything to go by, Taimen is the codename for a large-screen Pixel smartphone. While Muskie was initially said to be the codename for the Pixel XL's successor, it now seems to have been replaced by Taimen. This also creates a possibility that this year's Pixel will have two models made by two different OEMs. Google's Nexus 6P and 5X were manufactured by Huawei and LG respectively. Last year, HTC  made both the Pixel models. Google has reportedly invested around $880 million in LG's display division and is said to court for the brand to make Pixel smartphones in 2018.