Google’s Nexus devices are a big deal for its fans, who anxiously await to see what the Android-maker launches every year. Of course, Nexus devices are made by Google’s partners, so with every generation they’ve emphasized different aspects: powerful internals, affordability, new features and experiences and so on.
This year HTC is rumored to be returning to the Nexus program, with the company being pegged as the maker of two new Android Nexus handsets. Google is also rumored to be exerting more control over the Nexus program, with some rumors hinting that the company may make its own smartphone.
Now, if this latest credible rumor is to be believed, we have most of the specs of the two HTC Nexus phones, coming later this year. Codenamed "Sailfish" and "Marlin", the two devices follow this current generation’s lead of providing two screen sizes and slightly varying specs. The two devices are expected to be based on the critically acclaimed HTC 10.
The specs below come from our friends at Android Police, who are citing an unnamed but highly trusted source. The publication also claims to have other corroborating evidence but did not share it. In either case, the info seems both trustworthy and set firmly within the realm of possibility.
So without further ado, these are the rumored specs:
| HTC Nexus "Marlin" | HTC Nexus "Sailfish" | |
| Screen | 5.5" QHD (2560 x 1440) AMOLED | 5" FHD (1920 x 1080) AMOLED |
| Processor | Quad-Core Qualcomm CPU | Quad-core 2.0 GHz 64-bit Qualcomm CPU |
| RAM | 4GB RAM | 4GB RAM |
| Storage | 32GB / 128 GB | 32GB, possibly 128GB as well |
| Battery | 3450 mAh | 2770 mAh |
| Camera | 12MP rear, 8MP front-facing | 12MP rear, 8MP front-facing |
| Other | USB-C, Bluetooth 4.2, rear-mounted fingerprint scanner | USB-C, Bluetooth 4.2, rear-mounted fingerprint scanner |
According to this same rumor, this year"s model will feature many of the same components, including the CPU, camera module, RAM and storage options. If that"s true, then the 2016 Nexus models will no longer be having a mid-range and a high-end option, like the Nexus 5X and 6P did. Instead their only differentiator might be the screen size and resolution. This would be much more akin to what Apple is doing with its iPhones.
Of course, it"s good to remember that at this point all of these specs are merely rumors and haven"t been confirmed by any of the companies involved.
Still we only have a few months left to wait, as this year"s Nexus phones are expected to be launched some time in the fall, alongside the newly-named Android 7 Nougat.