This time, Google released a new version Android separately from the Nexus devices, which will be presented later, the estimated date of the announcement is October 8th. Moreover, the first smartphone on Android 7.0 should be LG V20. Let's try to remember everything we know about the new Nexus and try to understand why this atypical situation is connected.
HTC Nexus
Initially, there were rumors that this year Google will present three Nexus smartphones at once, two of which are developing HTC, and another Huawei. What is the fate of the device from Huawei is currently unclear, but the announcement of two smartphones HTC is just around the corner. The first device is known under the code name HTC Nexus Sailfish or Nexus S1, it will have standard dimensions and a five-inch screen by today's standards. The second device received the code name Marlin or Nexus M1, its dimensions will be much larger, and the screen diagonal will be 5.5 inches.
Based on the leaks available, the characteristics of Sailfish will look like this:
- 5 “screen with Full HD resolution
- Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 820
- 4 GB of RAM
- Main camera 13MP
- Front camera 8MP
- Battery with a capacity of 2770 mAh
- OS Android 7.0 Nougat
- Other: Fingerprint sensor, Bluetooth 4.2, USB Type-C
- Estimated price for the 32GB model – $ 449
Below are some renders and live photos of the smartphone. Initially, it was assumed that the body of the smartphone will be plastic, according to the latest information it will still be made of metal.
The characteristics HTC of the Nexus Marlin are almost identical to the Sailfish, the differences are as follows:
- 5.5 ”screen with 2560 x 1440 resolution
- Battery 3450 mAh
- Among the possible processor models, in addition to Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 are also called Snapdragon 821 and 823
- Estimated price for the 32GB model – $ 599
We are used to the fact that in the case of the Nexus, we should be interested exclusively in the design and technical characteristics of the device. After all, everything is clear with its software part, there will be 'clean' Android without any impurities. But this time things may be different.
For the first time, information about the presence of modified software in the Nexus appeared on the androidpolice resource. Moreover, the leak was assigned a reliability rating of 9 out of 10. The network even got a few animated photos showing the operation of the interface of the new Nexus.
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Then leaks about the modified version Android appeared on the network several more times, but there were no specific details. In general, there was a feeling that the announcement of Nexus was spread with the release of Android 7.0 Nougat not by chance, and the 'purity' of the OS in the new smartphone is now a big question.
Google Experiments
Why might Google need it? There is no unequivocal answer to this question, but one can try to assume.
At first, Nexus played the role of an icebreaker, which was supposed to break the ice of distrust and misunderstanding of others, clear the way for other manufacturers and entice software developers. And the innovations of the fresh version of the OS had to be demonstrated on something, and high-quality smartphones with good hardware, but without a proprietary shell, could then be counted on one finger.
Then, when Android was firmly on its feet and proved its place in the sun, Google began to focus more on quality than quantity. Market share is great, and a bunch of different smartphones on Android are even better. But the fact that on half of them the system was changed beyond recognition, slowed down, gave out a bunch of errors and was practically not updated, the search giant was very stressed. Such anti-advertising of the new OS was simply contraindicated, but they could not impose their opinion on partners by force and force them to abandon dubious add-ons in Google.
Then the Nexus line entered a new stage. From niche, created only for developers of devices, they turned into some reference models of smartphones. As conceived by Google, users had to appreciate all the advantages of a 'clean' OS, from the smooth operation of the interface to prompt updates. And the developers – to see how attractive Android can be without any unnecessary settings and how highly customers rated it. In reality, everything turned out to be not so simple, but Nexus phones have found their audience.
Now there is no special sense in further popularizing the “clean” Android for Google, and the issue of updates is not so acute. Albeit not immediately, but the manufacturers have noticeably lightened their proprietary shells, making them much closer to the OS style. And now no one points a finger at devices with “clean” Android, they have long ceased to be some kind of exotic. As for the updates, although the situation here is far from ideal, it is still much better than in the days of Android 2.x. Manufacturers began to update their phones noticeably more willingly and more often than before, and there is no really fundamental difference between the latest versions of the OS.
It is possible that the third stage has now arrived for the Nexus series. Instead of promoting 'clean' Android, these smartphones will become a field for further experimentation, and it is on them that ideas will be rolled out, which will then be included in the new version of the OS. Even if the innovations turn out to be controversial and the next Nexus 'does not take off', Google in any case does not lose anything – the search giant practically does not get any profit from the sales of devices, but the opportunity not to stumble on this place when releasing a new version of the OS for the company is truly priceless . And she is no stranger to experimenting on her users – a lot of Google services come out just in beta status, the same Gmail is a vivid example. In general, this approach has fully justified itself, so why not repeat it with Android?
Goodbye Nexus, Hello Pixel
There is one more scenario. A few hours ago, the androidpolice resource reported that, according to information from several independent sources, the new smartphones will belong to the Pixel line, not the Nexus. The more compact device, formerly known as the Sailfish, will be called the Pixel, while the 5.5-inch Marlin will be renamed the Pixel XL.
Pixel devices might try to carve out a niche of premium devices that don't just showcase OS capabilities, but show how cool devices on Android can be. Previously, Google has always been primarily focused on the software part of the device, giving hardware to partners. Perhaps now the company has a desire to try itself in the role Apple, to tighten control over the iron part of the smartphone, creating a perfect (in its mind) device. To release something that will put technology on the blades on other OS, create your own analogue iPhone. In this case, there is really no need to restrict ourselves exclusively to the capabilities of a “clean” OS, because the device will have to “fight” not with the branded shells of colleagues in the shop, but with competitors on iOS. And in such a case, you need to use all available means.
The growth of the smartphone market will not last forever; the time is not far off when new users can only be fought back from competitors. And the new situation will require new funds. It is not worth waiting for Google to open its own production (although such rumors persist), but closer work with partners can be expected. Especially if you recall the information leaked to the network about a certain three-year contract with HTC.
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Let me remind you once again that we are talking only about rumors, how things actually stand now can only be guessed at. It seems to me extremely doubtful that the shell of the new “non-Nexus” will differ from the standard one Android in any serious way. Google is hardly eager to demonstrate to everyone and everything that 'clean' Android is so imperfect that it is a shame to use it for a device under its own brand. But the fact that it will have a couple of additional software 'chips' and improvements that are not included in the classic Android is quite possible. At Google, no one ever thought that the slightest step aside was an attempt to escape. And the search giant never shied away from bold experiments, sometimes even on the contrary, at the same time grabbing at too many different ideas.