The Nexus 2016 promises to be the greatest in the series as Google was reported earlier to model its flagship devices after Apple's iPhone and iPad. Premium build, design and features will be the highlight of the sequels to the Nexus 6P and 5X, which suggest that the next Pure Android will boast of nothing but high-end specifications.
Exciting as the prospect would be, listed below are the minimum expectations:
Metal case and unibody design
The best way to compete against the iPhone is to match its luxurious build and design and the only way for Google is wrap the next batch of Nexus devices - tablets and smartphones - in metal, the same manner Apple does with the iPhones and iPads. The Nexus 6P has already started this and if rumors will prove correct that HTC is a leading candidate to supply the upcoming Nexus phone then it is a safe bet that HTC's signature unibody design will become part of the Nexus 2016 project.
Killer cameras
When it comes to smartphone camera, two names actually matter - iPhone and Galaxy. In order to give the next Nexus a camera system that really rocks Google needs only to seek the expertise coming from South Korea and that would be Samsung. The shooting prowess that the Korean firm has packed with the 2016 Galaxy flagship series nearly became iPhone killers and it will be the same with the Galaxy S7.
Extra memory
Samsung has gone premium starting with the Galaxy S6 but one thing annoyed Android - it lacked a microSD slot that allows memory expansion. Good for Samsung, the feature is said to make a comeback with the Galaxy S7.
The move indicates that the Android crowd demands the ability to modify so Google better listen and include a memory card slot with the next Nexus phone.
Removable battery
And while Google is at it, best to please Android power users as well with a removable battery feature. For the Nexus 2016, the tech giant can consider the solution that LG will reportedly offer with the LG G5 rollout.
The G5, reports said, will sport a metallic body that has a unique detachable bottom portion. The design will permits users to easily pull out the bottom cap of the LG G5 case and slide in and out batteries as they please.
Next Android
This is something that is fait accompli. It is a given that the next Android sweet, known for now as Android N, will debut with the new batch of Android devices, and the latter serving as the showcase tool of the new features cooked up by Google with its mobile operating system. Some of the bumps expected include native support for additional biometric features (iris scanner, for one) and landmark UI design that will make Android fans forget Material Design.
Solid pricing model
And in keeping with the Nexus tradition, it is a must that the device sticker price will remain affordable (but not necessarily cheap, taking note of the premium jump). A Nexus 2016 with starting price of below $500 on release date will certainly merit a serious consideration, packed with the upgrades mentioned above, when pitted against the iPhone 7 that likely will sell beginning at $650, SIM-free.