Tons of Android-related revelations came out of the MWC 2016 last week and most of the details are related or can be connected to what the Google Nexus 2016 will be. Revealed Android flagships can be repurposed as the next Nexus and the fresh hardware specs introduced are likely to end up as part of the Nexus project.
The biggest news so far is the likelihood that the Nexus 2016 handsets will roll out minus the LG brand. In a roundup provided by BGR, the South Korean device maker apparently plans to focus on its mobile handset business. The report indicated that LG has its hands full this 2016 so collaborating with Google for a Nexus 5X could prove a stretch.
As LG is nearly confirmed to skip the Nexus 2016 project, other names are sure to be floated as possible takers for the honor. Sony is something to look forward too with its Xperia flagship line that is both solid and premium. This year, the Japanese maker is ditching the Xperia Z in favor of Xperia X that could prompt Google to consider checking out a partner from Japan.
Or the Nexus brand can just work again with Huawei, which was reported to have been tapped to put together a premium iPad Mini rival that will unbox as the Nexus 7 2016 - a 7-inch vanilla Android tablet. And with LG opting out of the Nexus club for now, the chance is higher now that Pure Android lovers will get their hands on an enhanced Nexus 6P.
Another Android 2016 flagship that can be repurposed is the upcoming HTC One M10 that report said will hit the market largely reflecting the design and build seen with the HTC One A9. It should be noted that HTC was the subject of rumors that point to the supposed building of two Nexus handsets that will bear HTC hardware signature.
Google can also take hard look on the Xiaomi Mi5 that is earning a reputation as a flagship killer. The device is mighty with Snapdragon 820 chip that is paired with up to 4GB of RAM. Part of the package is a 16-megapixel rear shooter that is laced with a four-axis optical image stabilization, which claims to overpower even the iPhone 6S Plus camera.
But the best thing about the Mi5 is the sticker price. The most high-end variant sells for just over $400, which screams of Nexus as Google should take note.
Two more candidates would be the OnePlus 3 - that like its predecessors will surely impress with gorgeous design, solid build, uncompromising specs and solid pricing - and the Vivo Xplay 5 that BGR said will certainly draw attention for its 6GB of RAM provision alone. Hopefully, Google will take notice.
And what about the new things to deploy with Android N or version 7.0? Rumors have it that sequel to Android Marshmallow will be leaner but faster with the ditching of the App Drawer as among the alterations to expect. Another likely feature add-on is something similar to the upcoming Night Shift mode on iOS 9.3. This could be made possible by Google integrating the f.lux app functions with the next Android. The app recently migrated from iOS to Android.
The details regarding the Nexus 2016 and Android N or version 7.0 should start shaping up in the build up to the Google I/O event in May or June, which in its aftermath should reveal the release dates of the Pure Android smartphone and tablet flagships.