Google's 2016 I/O is on by next week, which for many Android followers also signals an approaching release date for the Nexus 7 2016 tablet, and that is likely to happen as early as May 18. Apart from being the first device to show off Android N in final cut, what could be the specs and feature upgrades with the next Nexus?
Following below are the minimum expectations:
Brand
Rumors say a deal between Google and HTC will produce two Nexus smartphones, which somehow leave Huawei to take charge of the Nexus tablet project. In fact, as early as last year the Chinese device maker has been tipped to work on a Pure Android device anew - supposedly a high-end slate that is the scaled up version of the well-received Nexus 6P.
Build
The Nexus 7 2016 will be the third in the lines and reports say Google is looking to depart from the last two versions by ensuring that the upcoming model will be worthy of challenging Apple's iPad and Samsung's Galaxy Tab. As such, Android fans are expecting that Google's third compact tablet offering is encased in premium material - a mixture of glass and metal like the iPad is.
Specs
MobiPicker said that Google could pick between the Snapdragon 820 and NVIDIA Tegra X1 as the main engine for the next Nexus 7. The device will have 4GB of RAM provision and the energy juice will come from a 3000mAH battery pack - to power its QHD panel that likely will boast of 1080p screen resolution.
However, Ubergizmo is more realistic with its specs forecasting. The device will reportedly run on SD 625 with 3GB of RAM, supposedly to supply sufficient mobile computing power but to keep the tablet at an affordable price level.
Killer features
Android N will breathe the upcoming Nexus 7 into life and going by the Developer Preview version of the OS, among the feature upgrades planned for the device are productivity-optimized mobile capabilities. Features such as multitasking (Split Window and Freeform apps) will be natively supported to afford users a near-desktop environment on the tablet. Doze, which was introduced with Marshmallow in 2015, should be enhanced further in order to stretch the gadget's operating hours.
Biometric features - fingerprint sensor could be joined by iris scanner - could also be expanded for a more robust security protocol and even more convenient online and wireless payment transactions.
Release date and pricing
As mentioned, Google is likely to intro the Nexus 7 2016 via the I/O 2016 and push for a release date within the same event, meaning Android can mark 18 to 20 as possible unboxing for the Pure Android tablet. And pricing could prove as the biggest selling point for the device, the tag likely no more than $400 to make it competitive against the iPad Mini.