A new Google Nexus 7 is in the works and Huawei is likely to manufacture it. (Photo : Reuters/ Stephen Lam)
Rumors continue to rage that Google is working on a new stock Android tablet and that on release date the device will be known as Nexus 7 2016. And the product launch could happen real soon thanks to a fresh indicator - the HTC-made Nexus 9 is now up for grabs for only $299.
The exciting deal, according to Phone Arena, is available through Amazon as the report noted that HTC still sells the same 32GB Pure Android tablet for $479. That means opting for the Amazon offer will translate to saving of $180 - a huge deal indeed for a slate that is optimal for both personal and business use.
Although unboxed nearly two years ago, the Nexus 9 remains impressive with its powerful NVIDIA Tegra K1 processing chip that hums away at top-speed of 2.3GHz in dual-core configuration. The chip is amply supported by 2GB of RAM.
The tablet's 8.9-inch screen boasts of 2048 x 1536 display resolution with pixel density of 281 pixels per inch. Amazon is selling both the 16GB and 32GB configurations but Phone Arena recommends the higher memory option as the Nexus 9 is limited by the lack of a microSD slot.
As mentioned, running the Nexus tablet show is vanilla Android that should make the deal even more compelling. However, taking the plunge right now could prove as not the wisest thing to do.
Phone Arena said that the Nexus 9 appears to be lined up retirement, somehow suggesting that similar or even better deals will come up. It should be prudent to hold off for the sticker price to be further trimmed down or better yet, wait out for the sequel or the next Nexus tablet.
As gadget deals almost always indicate the soon-to-happen touchdown of the upgraded device models, the Nexus 9 price tag going down inevitably points to approaching launch of the rumored Nexus 7 2016. The 7-inch slate is said to be assembled by Nexus 6P maker Huawei, which supposedly is tasked by Google to produce a compact tablet designed to challenge the iPad monopoly.
Not much is known for now on the device save the persistent speculations that it will be a premium challenger with top-notch build and design. The hardware specs are thought to be worthy of tussling with the tablets coming from Apple and Samsung.
If indeed the Nexus 9 is set to be discontinued then the Nexus 7 2016 release date could really happen in the next few months. Since Google has already indicated that Android N will be this coming May via the I/O 2016, the third Nexus 7 unboxing may just happen as early as June.
