Is Google planning to launch its 2016 Stock Android flagship smartphones without using the familiar Nexus label? This possibility was suggested by the new handset render that boasts of metal-clad body but minus the Nexus brand.
Android Police shared to the world what it claims as the device model that will be the sequel to the LG Nexus 5X and Huawei Nexus 6P that Google issued in 2015. The render was pieced together from the latest information obtained from credible sources, the report said.
However, the follow up to the Nexus phones of last year will unlikely end up as the next Nexus. The blog report said that while HTC is practically confirmed to build the two Stock Android handsets codenamed Sailfish and Marlin for Google, the HTC brand will be found nowhere on the devices.
Likewise, the Nexus label is out of sight and its stead the device render bears the 'G' logo on the back plate, which is easily identifiable with Google. The representation is in line with the recent news that Google will release its own branded phones that are designed as iPhone and Android flagship killers. The build, design and specifications of the handsets will be dictated by Google.
And indeed the Google phone render screams of premium specs. Android Police said the device casing is made mostly of aluminum that is melded with front glass panel. Three color options are likely to hit the market - Silver White, Black Gray and Deep Blue.
Unlike the iPhone 6S of last year, Google's next flagship phone is free of the ugly rear camera bump. And in keeping with the design seen in the previous models, the fingerprint sensor of the device is rear-located.
The render's front panel also aligns with circulating rumors about the next Nexus phone, specifically of the white navigational keys.
No detailed component specs have been provided with the report but leaks in the past weeks suggested the following to come out of the box: AMOLED display, Snapdragon 820 chip with 4GB of RAM and camera set up of 12MP on rear and 8MP on front. In earlier reports, Android Police said that the Nexus Sailfish will have a 5-inch 1080p screen while the Marlin will sport a 5.5-inch display with 2K screen resolution.
Rumors have it the Nexus 2016 release date will happen at the same time with that of the Android 7.0 Nougat rollout, likely set in August, but Google is said to be preparing for an end of the year rollout of its next-generation Stock Android smartphones.