The Nexus brand was retired by Google with the introduction of Pixel and Pixel smartphones in 2016, and it sure looks like the former will not return anytime this 2017. Work is supposedly now underway for the Pixel 2 handsets as the codenames Muskie, Walleye and Taimen were recently spotted on Google's AOSP.

Like Us on Facebook

The sighting was first reported by Android Police, which pointed to AOSP (Android Open Source Project) gerrit that gave away the Muskie, Walleye and Taimen labels. Recent rumors indicate that the codenames will eventually become the second-generation Pixel smartphones. Muskie will be the sequel to the supersized Pixel XL while Walleye will the regular-sized Pixel 2.

Little is known on the third Pixel that for now is being referred to as Taimen but leaked details have suggested that the device when realized will be the biggest of the bunch. It is likely that Taimen's build and design will be a cross between a phone and tablet or a hybrid device that will boast of jumbo display while retaining smartphone features and functionalities.

All three Pixel 2 models when released are expected to at least match the specs and feature upgrades that Apple and Samsung will deliver on their upcoming 2017 flagships. As Samsung has already revealed that the Galaxy S8 is an all-screen handset, the same will be seen with the rumored iPhone 8 but with certain refinements.

And there has to be bump ups that are now flagship standards. According to WCCFTech, Google will likely "introduce dust and waterproofing for the devices." The same report added that custom chipsets are being testing for possible use with the Pixel 2017 models though it's more likely that the devices will end up running on Qualcomm's Snapdragon 835 SoC.

But the biggest selling point of the Pixel 2 smartphones will be the same feature that made the Nexus devices beloved by hardcore Android devices. All models will unbox rocking Pure Android that this year is rumored to be called Android 8.0 Oreo.

The next Android will get introduced in time for Google's I/O Developers Conference that will kick off May 17 but the Pixel 2017, which will be the first devices to get the new mobile OS, release date is not happening until October or November this year.