Update 5/30/17: There haven’t been any new xel 2 rumors in a while, but we have a fresh take on why you’ll want the next xel. Check out our analysis of what the xel 2 needs to succeed.

ile ’s xels might still have that new phone smell, there are already signs that is hard at work on the follow-up to its first officially bred Android phone. made a huge somewhat surprising splash with the launch of the xel last fall, all eyes will be on whether the next version of its hset can start to chip away at Samsung’s dominance.

The details are extremely sparse so far, but we do know that two new devices code-named Muskie lleye are in development at ‘s Mountain View labs. So, stay glued to this article, as we’ll keep updating it with the latest solid information.

ll it follow the slim-bezel trend?

ile we love just about everything about the xel, the one area where it could use some updating it the design. ile the ione-inspired front was uninspired last year, it looks downright boring in the face of bezel-slimming designs like ‘s G6 Samsung’s Galaxy S8. And it looks like is looking to push the boundaries of the next xel, too.

A report from ETNews says is eyeing a 1 trillion won investment (around $900 million) in Display, seemingly to shore up a proper OD supply for the next xel phone. ile the report doesn’t specifically say that the next xel would utilize a curved display, ‘s focus with the investment is on ‘s flexible display division. The two companies have been working closely lately, first on an Android ar 2.0 watch then on bringing Assistant to the G6, so a display partnership would make sense. And it would go a long way toward helping actually keep its next xel in stock.

ll it be waterproof?

’s first crack at a premium hset checked off a lot of boxes, but one of the major ones it missed was waterproofing. ready a feature in premium hsets like the Galaxy S7, it was surprising that opted to skip it, but it appears it is working to rectify that in its next hset. As 9to5’s Hall explains, the feature is “on the table” for the xel 2, although sources had previously informed him that it was a priority for the next release.

How much better will the camera be?

The xel already has one of the best cameras in an Android phone, but that’s not stopping from making it even better. ke the ione, 9to5 reports that won’t be focusing on megapixels with the xel 2, but rather will “compensate in extra features.” It’s unclear exactly what that means, but Hall says the camera will be a “major focus” in the development of the xel 2 as looks to retain its position atop the smartphone camera rankings.

How fast will it be?

It’s pretty much a no-brainer that the xel will launch with whatever the latest version of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processor will be, 9to5 reports that is indeed testing the xel with the new 835 chipset. But it’s also exploring other options. According to Hall’s sources, is also trying out Intel chips, though it’s not clear whether that refers to modems or full processors. If does opt to use an Intel SoC for its new xels, it would be quite a coup for Intel, which has struggled to make much headway in the smartphone world.

How much will it cost?

en the xel launched, it commed a price commensurate with its premium features, it doesn’t look the xel 2 is going to be any different. In fact, in might cost more. 9to5 reports that ’s next hset will be “at least” $50 higher than this year’s model, meaning it could start at $699 for the 5-inch model top $800 for the xel X A comment by  Osterloh, senior vice president of hardware at , confirms that the flagship xel will stay a “premium” phone, meaning it will fetch many hundreds of dollars.

However, there may be some relief for users who don’t want to spend quite so much on a phone. 9to5 reports that is also testing a “xel 2B” hset (possibly code-named Taimen), which would serve as a budget version of the flagship phone. As Hall writes, the phone would bring less-powerful specs along with its cheaper price, with a goal of bringing the “ experience the phone to emerging markets.” It was recently reported that was eyeing a U.S. launch for its Android One program, so a budget xel would certainly fit with those plans.

As far as a release date, a safe bet would be sometime in the fall, based on comments from Osterloh. “There is an annual rhythm in the industry. So, you can count on us to follow it. You can count on a successor this year, even if you don’t hear a date from me now.”

But will it beat the S8?

The Samsung Galaxy S8 is the phone of the moment, the xel 2 certainly has its work cut out for it if it wants to take its crown. Things like an improved camera, modern design, wireless charging would go a long way toward giving the xel 2 bragging rights, but the main thing it needs is availability. The most annoying thing about the xel is its lack of carrier support, if is serious about bringing it to the masses, Verizon exclusivity isn’t going to cut it.

For more on what the xel 2 needs to be the best phone of 2017, read our analysis: Here’s how the xel 2 can be the best phone of 2017.