Google’s Pixel and Pixel XL have been quite popular on the smartphone market, especially because of their very powerful rear cameras. Google says the two devices have the best rear cameras found on any smartphone on the market.

While camera performance is definitely important on a premium phone, other features must also be taken into account. Waterproofing is one of the factors that may have put off many from buying the Pixel and Pixel XL.

Some premium smartphones on the market come with IP67 or even IP68 protection against water splashes and dust, making sure that the device isn’t affected when submerged into water, either accidentally or on purpose.

No waterproof in favor of high performance camera

Last year, Google reps said that upon designing the phone, the company did intend to include waterproof features, but decided to focus on rear camera performance instead. Apparently, Google thought that waterproofing and high camera performance would drive the price up and discourage consumers from buying the phone. That is true at a certain degree, but protection against water and dust is on the wishlist of many when buying a new phone.

Stephen Hall from 9to5 Google recently tweeted that the upcoming Pixel device will definitely have waterproofing features. Apparently, he received the information from a reliable source in October last year, but disclosed it only recently. This is simply a rumor at this point, as we doubt Google reps would openly confirm this information, considering that the upcoming phone must be very early in the development stage.

Google reportedly only had nine months and one week to design and launch the Pixel and Pixel XL, and we must say that the company did a good job, especially in the camera department. We expect Google to release a Pixel successor to include waterproof capabilities and an abundance of other features, considering that this time the company shouldn’t be pressured by a lack of time and can properly focus on the phone’s capabilities.