Google Nexus 2016 news update: Huawei to build new model?

Miguel Salonga Tuesday, May 31, 2016

For the past few years, Google and HTC have been close partners in developing the Google Nexus flagship smartphone, and every year the two manage to release a top-of-the-line device. However, that partnership may have already ended as HTC may no longer build the next Google Nexus model this year. If the rumors are correct, Huawei will replace HTC as the Nexus flagship's manufacturer.

A screen capture of Nexus 6P from its promotional video | Google

As reported by the Daily Sun, HTC had thought of leaving the partnership with Google as the Taiwan-based electronics company has its own line of smartphones to focus on. Specifically, HTC has just released HTC 10 and it is doing well in the markets according to the reports. HTC is reportedly skipping the anticipated Google Nexus 2016 project as the company wants to make sure that HTC 10 will maintain its success.

The backing out of HTC is seen as a way to protect the company's own big products such as HTC 10. It has already been reported that Google already forged a deal with HTC so that the latter company will make the next generation of Nexus smartphones. Specifically, HTC is expected to make two variants of Google Nexus 2016, where one model will be the mid-range, base model while the other will be the superior and more expensive variant. Both the base model and the premium version will largely follow the features first introduced by the Nexus 2015 model.

However, HTC is said to realize that the sales of HTC 10 might be greatly affected as the upcoming Nexus smartphone is very similar to the design, specs, and build of their own product. Therefore, the company decided to back out from the Google partnership.

Earlier reports reveal that Google Nexus 2016 is going to sport a force touch feature.The new Nexus smartphone is also rumored to get the Snapdragon 820 chipset from Qualcomm as the processing unit. While the upcoming Nexus model is expected to be released in two variants, both of them will be powered by the same SnapDragon chipset and the NVIDIA Tegra x1 processor, as well as having 4 GB of RAM and 3000 mAh battery capacity. Perhaps one of the highlight features of Google Nexus 7 2016 is the 2 TB expandable memory through the use of a microSD card.