Initially there were three models planned for the Google Pixel 2017 release but it's down to two handsets at the moment, reportedly codenamed Walleye for the regular model and Taimen for the supersized phablet variant. Rumors said Google has tapped HTC and LG as manufacturing partners for project.

Taimen, according to XDA Developers, is the more interesting of the Pixel 2017 upgrades as the device contained the Nexus Imprint on the pre-production software. It's unclear if the imprint suggests of any Nexus connection but another notable development is Taimen or Pixel XL 2 will reportedly come from LG. The device maker, as many hardcore Android fans known, was responsible for previous Nexus models such as the beloved Nexus 4 and Nexus 5.

In the same report, XDA shared what it claimed as Taimen and Walleye specifications "from a source familiar with the matter that spent time with at least one of these phones." The details, for instance, on Taimen further fueled the rumors it will serve as the unofficial sequel to the Nexus 7 tablet that Google last updated in 2013.

The handset is supposedly of a hybrid kind that is built as a compact tablet but with functions and features of a flagship smartphone. XDA said Taimen is a 5.99-inch device with a 1440p OLED display that will be supplied by LG. As mentioned, the same company will assemble the jumbo phone.

Inside of Taimen, the device will be fired up by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 835 processor in quad-core configuration and to spin at top-speed of 2.45GHz. RAM is set at 4GB though the provision could still be dialed up considering that most Android flagships now boast of 6GB of installed RAM at the minimum.

The Pixel XL 2 build and design will largely mirror what were seen with the immediate predecessor save for the larger display. XDA said Google has opted not to join the dual camera bandwagon for now, meaning the Pixel 2017 shooting prowess will remain in single camera setting. This applies across the board so the same treatment will be found on Walleye or Pixel 2.

And speaking of which, the report said the Pixel 2 will boast of a 4.97-inch display in 1080p Full HD resolution. Expect a handset to unbox that is nearly identical to the original version, indicating that design tweaks will be more apparent on the Taimen model with the screen bezels slimmer than those on Walleye.

Walleye will be powered too by SD 835 and 4GB of RAM. For both handsets, the storage configurations are 64GB and 128GB with no memory expansions. And both models will follow the approach Apple has adopted with the iPhone 7 series, meaning there will be no 3.5mm audio port. Instead there will be stereo speakers. As indicated, it will be HTC that will take charge of the Pixel 2 mass production.

Google is believed to start rolling out Android O or Oatmeal Cookie within October or around the same time of the Pixel 2017 release date. As for the pricing, it's expected that Pixel 2 will start at around $600 and the bigger Pixel XL 2 at $700.