Google Nexus 2016 release date, specs news: Nexus smartphones will be released this October, to be branded as 'Pixel'

Miguel Salonga Friday, September 02, 2016

Promotional image for previous Nexus phones. | Official Google Nexus Website

Google has been keeping mum on the highly anticipated release of the HTC-created 2016 Google Nexus smartphones. It has long been heard that the brand new Nexus models will have two variants, which are given the codenames Sailfish and Marlin by the earlier reports. This time around, the rumors are rife that the new Nexus smartphones have already got their official names. If the latest rumors are anything to go by, they will be called as "Pixel" and "Pixel XL."

According to Arstechnica, the "Pixel" brand name was already used by Google in one of their recent device offerings. There have already been three Google Pixel devices in total, such as the Chromebook Pixel 1 and 2, plus the Android-powered Pixel C. Just recently, Google announced that they will be discontinuing the production of Chromebook Pixel 2, but added that the Pixel brand would still continue. With this, it is highly speculated that the Pixel brand will be passed on to the 2016 Google Nexus phones.

Moreover, the online publication reported that the Google Nexus 2016, or Pixels, will be unveiled on Oct. 4. There is no confirmation yet from Google that the new Nexus smartphones will be released in the coming months, so this information still needs to be verified. Nevertheless, the possibility is growing that the new Nexus smartphone brand will arrive before the year ends.

Meanwhile, it has yet to be confirmed whether Google the Pixel naming will be applied to both Sailfish and Marlin smartphone variants. It is possible that the smaller variant will be called as "Pixel" while the larger one will be named as "Pixel XL," according to The Verge. As for the possible highlight of the 2016 Nexus smartphones, it is likely that they will be used as a vehicle for the unveiling of the Android 7.1 Nougat. The upcoming Nexus smartphones will be pre-installed with the next version of the Android Nougat. To note, the Android 7.0 Nougat has already rolled out in the current Google Nexus devices.