Canceled Google Pixel 2 XL 'Muskie' is reportedly re-branded as HTC U11 Plus

HTC yesterday unveiled the U11 Plus alongside U11 Life.

By Chandrika
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The 2016 models of Google Pixel phones was manufactured by HTC. This is why the Taiwanese company was expected to make the second generation of Pixel phones as well.

 
Canceled Google phone 'Muskie' is re-branded as HTC U11 Plus

Earlier this year, the rumor mill had even revealed that the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are codenamed as Walleye and Muskie. However, the Muskie phone was eventually dropped in favor of the larger LG-made Taimen, which would be later known as Pixel 2 XL. If you recall, the Muskie model was spotted on AOSP code files a few days earlier revealing some of its details.

 

Now, The Verge has come up with some interesting information. According to the website, the newly launched HTC U11 Plus was originally intended to be the Google Pixel 2XL. HTC apparently made some modifications to the Muskie model to launch it as the U11 Plus after it was rejected by Google.

Just to give you a better idea, the AOSP files had revealed that the HTC made Google Pixel 2 XL packs a battery of 3,830mAh capacity. The new U11 Plus makes use of a 3,393mAh battery. Pretty close, right?

Moreover, both U11 Plus and the Muskie feature the same 6-inch display with the aspect ratio of 18:9. While it might just be a coincidence, we think HTC didn't want to make one phone and then drop it just like that.

As far as the rest of the specifications are concerned, the U11 Plus is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor that is clubbed with 4GB/6GB of RAM and 64GB/128GB of internal storage. The storage space on both the variants can be further expanded via a microSD card.

In terms of optics, the smartphone features 12MP rear-facing camera with f/1.7 aperture and dual-LED flash. Likewise, there is an 8MP selfie camera at the front. The U11 Plus has the same camera hardware and software as the flagship U11.

On the software front, the smartphone runs on Android 8.0 Oreo OS out of the box. It also features an improved Edge Sense feature.

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