While the recently released Google Pixel and Pixel XL flagship smartphones are marketed to be fully developed by Google, the phones themselves are technically still HTC devices. HTC has agreed to remove any of their branding on the new devices, which does achieve in making the products look like a device from Google.

Now, new reports are revealing that HTC apparently does not have an exclusive contract with Google and that the next Pixel installments may no longer be theirs to make. According to BGR, the upcoming new Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, and a mysterious third Pixel device may still be manufactured by HTC this year. However, future devices, such as the rumored new Google Pixel 3 series could be made by an entirely different company.

A report from the Chinese-language website, Commercial Times, via Digi Times, also claims that the companies that are currently competing to be the manufacturer for the third generation Pixel devices include LG, TCL, Coolpad, and HTC. There is, of course, a lot of competition amongst the companies for the exclusive contract as Google will reportedly order no less than five million units. The sheer amount of new units will equate to a substantial revenue for whoever Google decides to choose to manufacture their 2018 devices.

As for this year's offering, Google has already confirmed that they are currently developing the next Google Pixel devices. The rumored three new devices are expected to be unveiled something in fall. The Pixel 2 handsets will reportedly still retain the premium build materials as its predecessors, which means that it might also be priced accordingly.

The direct successor of the Pixel and the Pixel XL, being referred to internally as "Muskie" and Walleye" are expected to be direct evolutions of the first two flagships. The third mysterious new Pixel device, known internally as "Taimen," is believed to either be a larger Pixel XL or a new Pixel-branded tablet.