Nexus 6 (Photo : YouTube/Google Nexus)
Powered by Android M, the Google Nexus 2015 flagship will most certainly deliver on the expected killer features, most of which are significant jumps from the previous models. But as expected not everything will be covered, thus necessitating a collection of wishlist features.
Normally, these handset features are not part of the Google hardware DNA when considering the past few Nexus rollouts but Android fans remain hopeful that the template will see some tweaks this year. If that should be the case, the following smartphone capabilities could be in the horizon in the coming months:
Biometric features
When Google unveiled its Android M during the 2015 I/O last May, one feature that caught great interest is Android Pay, which as the name implies will tussle with that of Apple Pay and Samsung Pay. As with its online and wireless payment rivals, Google's upcoming service will also rely on biometric infrastructures and the most prevalent of which is fingerprint scanner.
As early as the Android Lollipop, codes for a fingerprint reader feature already exists and the likelihood is the same will be finally activated come the Android M release. It is likely too that iris recognition will be part of the next Nexus package, at least for the LG variant, according to a recent report by G4Games.
Killer camera
The Nexus camera is not exactly mediocre as the last build, the Nexus 6 by Motorola, showcased a 13MP rear shooter. Yet for the most part, the brand falls short of meeting expectations. For most experts, the name to trust when it comes to smartphone shooting is either Apple or Samsung.
So beyond the megapixel race, Android fans would want a truly killer package in the next Nexus camera system. If Google can match the rumors that Apple will deploy a DSLR-class main shooter with the iPhone 6S later in the year, the better.
Storage expansion
Extra memory is taboo as far as the past Nexus models are concerned and the rationale is: Google deliberately withholds the feature to encourage the extensive use of Google Drive when users feel the need for memory space. With the possibility that the basic Nexus 2015 model will feature a 32GB internal drive, it appears that having a microSD slot is out of the question for the Google flagship.
But smartphone users these days tend to create and hoard digital contents - photos, movies, music and e-books - that pile up quickly and hog storage space. With or without Google Drive, the ability to expand the device memory is always a welcome feature for Nexus fans especially now that memory cards come with cheap price tags. And the Drive, dependent on internet connection, anyway is not always accessible, at least not yet.
Battery and power upgrades
Experts say that aside from innovative features and compelling design, what really defines a smartphone is how long it can serve in a single charge. Or how quick it can charge up with power juice when needed.
For the next Nexus, users would surely appreciate the inclusion of a more powerful battery kit that exceeds that of the 3220mAh that was issued with the Nexus 6. The package should be completed if Google could add quick charging feature that like in the Samsung Galaxy flagship can bump the battery meter to 50% in about 30 minutes.
Having a low-power mode function would be nice as well, which will allow Nexus users to continue using their devices even in a 15% power status. The feature will automatically turn off a number of mobile device functions when battery is low in order to extract more power juice.
This wishlist will hopefully be granted by Google in time for the Nexus 2015 unboxing. Going by the previous rollout moves by the tech giant, the actual release date should be between October and November 2015.
