Google's gearing up for two more Nexus devices this year, LG will reportedly return along with newcomer Huawei
If you're reading this article chances are you're pretty psyched about the prospect of the next Nexus handset from Google, the alleged Nexus 5 (2015). And indeed, why wouldn't you be? The Nexus 5 was immensely popular. Both the Nexus 4 and Nexus 5 offered value for money, excellent specs and hardware and a beautiful Android experience. Sure, the camera wasn’t great and the build materials were a smidge on the plasticky side but none of this mattered because you KNEW you were getting a £450 phone for a third of the price –– and that is what consumers want. A deal. This was Google’s main USP with its Nexus phones, so it makes sense for the company to return to this way of doing business.
However, there's another reason for the next Nexus hype; a true successor has been lacking for a while. The Nexus 6 did build upon the excellent spec with even more competitive hardware, phablet proportions are not everyone's cup of tea, and the critical acclaim was tempered with caveats about the phone's large proportions and handling characteristics. In short, plenty of people were disappointed that there was no Nexus 5 sized successor, even if the compulsion for Google to experiment with the 6in form factor is entirely understandable.
But on top of the size and usability aspects, the Nexus 6's massively improved spec meant that it was the most expensive Nexus smartphone to date. A long-standing appeal of the Nexus series, catered to by the Galaxy Nexus, Nexus 4 and Nexus 6, was the way in which specs were balanced to be competetive while also keeping the price low. It felt, in many regards, like that value proposition went out the window with the Nexus 6 and resulted in another high-power, high-price flagship similar to offerings from rivals, although with the remaining appeal of stock Android software direct from Google.
Google’s 2015 Nexus handset is expected to launch alongside Android M and it will either be built by LG or Huawei – or there will be two devices; one from each manufacturer. There’s also plenty of anecdotal evidence suggesting the Big G is keen to move its Nexus line back to how things used to be with the Nexus 4 and Nexus 5, meaning a potentially lower cost device in 2015.
Another big thing set to launch alongside the Nexus 2015 that isn’t Android M is Google’s brand spanking new Android Pay -- the Big G’s Apple Pay rebuttal. This isn’t the first time Google has released a mobile payments application with a Nexus device; Google Wallet was first demoed aboard the Galaxy Nexus. But that was many moons ago and things have changed now. For some reason, people only start using useful technology when it is inside an iPhone. Why this is the case I have no idea… it just seems to be the way of the world.
Either way, the world is infinitely more setup for mobile payments than it was in 2011. Most cities around the world support the NFC and tap-to-pay technology aboard their transport systems. Ditto for many of the world’s biggest high street brands. Couple this with a legion of new Android phones coming in 2015, some of which with fingerprint scanners, and it is easy to see Google actually making a dent in the mobile payments space during 2015/16.
Google is expected to release Android Pay this week in the US. According to reports, employees at Mcdonald’s have been notified that the new payment service will go live on August 26.
“Like Apple Pay, Android Pay will allow people to pay for items in more than 700,000 stores in the US using their mobile phones, after linking their credit or debit card to the new service,” notes The Telegraph. “Identity verification is provided via the phone's fingerprint scanner, just likeApple's Touch ID. McDonald’s and Macy’s were slated as two of the places where Android Pay would be available first.”
Another report has come out of Korea on August 6 reiterating Google's alleged plans to introduce Android Pay with the Nexus 5 launch. The word comes via Business Korea, which states once again that the Nexus 5 will feature a fingerprint scanner and be "loaded with Android Pay". Google already detailed Android Pay at Google I/O but a question mark has hovered over precisely when the service would be introduced. It appears that Google is using the release of the Nexus 5 and Android M with Android Pay and an example of fingerprint scanner implementation as a means to encourage Android OEMs to take similar steps.
We know there will be two Nexus handsets in 2015. And we know Huawei and LG are building them. A new report over at The Information claims the Huawei device, which is the larger of the two Nexus handsets, with a Snapdragon 810 CPU and 5.7in display, will launch this fall, meaning late-Q3.
But there’s more as well. According to the report Huawei and Google are working on an official Chinese version of Google Play, one that will allow both companies and third party developers to publish applications and games in China. The Chinese Government doesn’t take kindly to western stores – or websites, for that matter – like the App Store and Google Play, so the co-op between Google, Huawei and China’s government should be quite a big deal.
The LG is expected to be the smaller of the two, offering a 5.2-inch display with a Snapdragon 808, said the report, making it sound like an updated Nexus 5, as previously reported. This is the first time Huawei have made a Nexus handset and it is also the first time Google has released two smartphones in a year.
"TechTastic found a selfie taken with a device identified as “bullhead” that’s made by LG. That particular internal codename is associated with the new Nexus 5, assuming past leaks are accurate about Google’s Nexus plans," reports BGR. "Found on Google+ on a profile belonging to a Google employee who works in the Quality Assurance department, the image reveals interesting details about the selfie camera. EXIF data says the photo has a 2592 x 1944 resolution, suggesting the front-facing shooter has a 5-megapixel sensor. Furthermore, the front camera also has an f/2.0 aperture according to the same data (see image below)."
The Nexus 5 was an immensely popular handset and in most respects still is; it had the specs, pricing and features and, generally speaking, attracted a lot more attention than 2014’s Nexus 6, a BIG handset that strayed well away from Google’s usual modus operandi with its Nexus handsets.
As noted by The Verge, perhaps LG’s return is to work it magic on 2015’s Nexus by simply updating the Nexus 5?
“Take all the glorious goodness you already put into the Nexus 5, toss in your latest version of Android and the world-changing USB Type-C connector, and maybe ask LG for a better camera module this time around. Then watch the love pouring in from delighted customers. In any case, you need a reasonably sized smartphone — and the Nexus 5's name is matched by a very reasonable 5-inch size — to show off Android M at its best, so why not build on a device that's already well loved?”
That's why we're quite pleased to hear rumours afoot that suggest Google has paired up with LG once again for a third outing, this time to produce at least one of the alleged forthcoming Nexus devices. According to reports there may be two Nexus devices, with another thought to be in development by Huawei.
More LG Nexus Specs Leak
As of August 31 yet more details have leaked regarding the LG Nexus' specs and features. According to a report from Android Police and its "reliable source" it is reiterated that the phone will sport a 5.2in 1080p display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 hexa-core processor with 3GB of RAM and an Adreno 418 GPU. It's also said to have the new Type-C USB port anda 2,700mAh battery cell. There will be 16GB and 32GB storage variants. Imaging will be taken care of via a 12MP primary camera and a 5MP secondary and the handset will have a "sub flagship" price point...make of that what you will!
An LG Nexus 5 spec leak dating August 25 has emerged via Chinese social network Weibo. The source in question previously posted a et of benchmark scores for the device, but now claims the phone will pack a 5.2in QHD display (565ppi), a 1.8GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 hexa-core processor, an Adreno 418 GPU, and 3GB of LPDDR3 RAM. Also listed is a 13MP primary camera using a Sony IMX 278 sensor with optical stabilisation. The source claims this will be better than the Huawei Nexus rear camera.
Huawei Nexus Handset Leaks Online
We’ve seen a few leaks of Google’s upcoming pair of Nexus handsets, but nothing too drastic. Now that’s about to change, however, as images of Huawei’s purported Nexus handset have leaked online, revealing a relatively plain front and a slightly more dynamic-looking metallic, multi-layered back panel.
The leak comes, of course, from China and is one of the first images we’ve seen of Huawei’s alleged Nexus handset. The device is tipped to feature a 5.7in QHD display alongside a Snapdragon 810 CPU and 3GB of RAM, as well as a fairly heavy-duty camera on the front and back.
LG Nexus 5 (2015) Cases Leak
You know that a phone is about to launch when cases for said handset start appearing with very official looking renders. And it's not just the cases either, the renders show the cases actually being worn by the next Nexus, in this instance it looks like the images we've previously seen of LG's Nexus device rather than the Huawei model.
The images emerged via Oppomart where the "Armour Protective Silicon Skin Case For LG Nexus 5 (2015)" is being offered for $8.99.
Huawei Nexus Case Leaks
Well it had already happened for the LG Nexus so we guess it was only a matter of time before Huawei's Nexus device had some cases leaked online for us to ponder. The images emerged via@onleaks and show a clear plastic or silicon case with a cut-out circular shape for the fingerprint scanner - this neatly lines up with the location seen for this scanner in earlier leaks.
The case also seems to show that the upper-section of the Huawei Nexus will be raised up in a kind of bump shape, including the camera housing.
Huawei Nexus 2015 Renders Leak
Recently a lot of Nexus-related leaks have been focused on LG's next offering (see below), which is understandable seeing as how LG has a proven track record of producing some of the most loved Nexus devices. However, lest we forget, Huawei is also in the mix this time producing what rumours allege is a slightly larger phablet variant, possibly destined for the Asian market - although such selective distribution is not yet confirmed.
Now a set of renders has emerged showing the forthcoming Huawei-made Nexus, and the interesting thing is it does look quite different to what we've seen from LG so far. It's curious because Nexus devices typically have a Google "house style" to their design which unifies the range, but also previous leaks have pointed to both LG and Huawei Nexus handsets having more or less the same specs and features. Assumption being the mother of all hiccups, we went ahead and thought they'd be similar on the outside too. More fool us.
These pictures have emerged via @OnLeaks (nowhereelse.fr) teaming up with uSwitch. What's really interesting is that the body appears to be metal rather than the typical Nexus polycarbonate, and it is sporting sectioned end panels and antenna bands similar to the iPhone and recent Samung devices. Also note that Champagne Gold finish with white accents.
LG Nexus 2015 Leaks In Live Photo Wearing White
Following hot on the heels of the below leaked renders showcasing the standard black coloured version of the LG-made Google Nexus 5 2015, a new live photo has appeared online showing the handset out in the wild.
This one has shown the other typically standard colour for Nexus devices, wearing a white back panel. The close-up shot of the back of the handset gives us a very clear look at some of its features, notably the circular fingerprint scanner just below the ever-so-slightly protruding camera port and bulge. There's also what looks to be a dual-LED flash.
The image was leaked by Inno Yudah on Google+, though we don't know how he got it. It's clearly a test model with the "NOT FOR SALE" text above the Nexus branding on the back. There are also lots of stickers, code numbers, and barcodes suggesting this is a test prototype, although sadly we can't make out anything of any significance.
LG Nexus 5 2015 Video & Renders Showcase Features
A set of renders and a video has been created by a partnership between reputable Twitter leakster @OnLeaks (affiliated with reliable French site Nowhereelse.fr) and uSwitch. The images are based on "detailed factory schematics provided to accessory-makers," according to uSwitch's report.
The images and video detail the LG Nexus 5 (2015) still in development and suggest a 5.2in display, USB Type-C port, front-facing stereo speakers, and a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner. The dimensions for the handset are given as 146.9 x 72.9 x 8mm, though the camera bump protrudes out slightly to about 9.8mm.
The report doesn't claim to have any specific knowledge about the build material, but cites earlier rumours suggesting a metal chassis with a plastic bodyshell.
Nexus 2015 Leak-Based Concept Render Video Appears
You gotta love digital artists, because there's no-one else who can take all the details from leaks and rumours and distill them down to show us what appears to be a living, breathing rendition of the product well before it actually launches.
It happens a lot with phones and tech, and now we're getting more and more details about Google's forthcoming 2015 Nexus devices it has happened for said Android flagships.
Designer Jermaine Smit posted a video to Youtube showing his talent for building the next Nexus phones out of nothing but the leaked information we've seen before. And the result, as you can see below, is rather compelling.
Nexus 2015 Case Reveals More About LG's Handset
The Nexus 2015 handset, well, at least one of them, will be made by LG. Earlier this week, @onleaks posted an image of he claims is a case for the upcoming LG-built Nexus handset. The image doesn’t give much away, but it does show quite a bit of odd changes to the back of the handset, which, as you can see below, features three holes, presumably for the camera, its flash and, seeing that LG built it, potentially navigation keys or a fingerprint scanner.
Taken at face value, the navigation keys would make most sense. LG is building this handset and LG likes putting the power/unlock and volume rocker keys on the back of its handsets these days. BUT –– Android Pay is coming very shortly and this would mean the handset would have to have a fingerprint scanner of some kind on its body. @OnLeaks isn’t sure which it is either, so for now we’ll just go with all of the above –– camera, navigation keys, fingerprint scanner.
Huawei Nexus Details Leak
As of August 26 the Huawei Nexus has appeared online yet again via Weibo. The device has been caught in photos wearing what appears to be a rather chunky test case to disguise its true form. However, the leak still reveals some interesting details confirmed as the display shows a bootloader screen.
This screen confirms the presence of a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 MSM8994 chipset with 3GB of LPDDR4 RAM and 64GB of onboard storage space.
A video has emerged online on August 6 which is alleged to show the Huawei Nexus in all its glory. The video briefly showcases a slightly shiny black bodyshell, which appears to be quite thin too. It also features a round camera port similar to existing Nexus handsets and a small square below this port which looks like a fingerprint scanner.
It's believed the fingerprint scanner will be part of Google's push for secure purchases on Google Play inside Android M, and it may also tie in to a competing service to Apple Pay, likely something to do with expanding Google Wallet.
Information has leaked as of July 15 which specifically describes some of the specs and features of the Huawei-made Nexus handset.
As mentioned already, rumours have claimed for a few months now that there are two Nexus devices in development, one from LG, and one from Huawei.
Because one of these devices is thought to be a 2015 re-boot edition of the Nexus 5, which was made by LG, it's been generally assumed that any leaks relevant to the Nexus 5 2015 handset have been regarding the LG-made model - meaning that, on the whole, we haven't heard a great deal about the Huawei device...until now.
The word comes via reputable and reliable Twitter source Evan Blass, aka @evleaks, who has posted a tweet stating:
"Huwaei Nexus sounds impressive so far: 5.7" QHD w/ metal body, SD820 SoC, fingerprint reader. Ships Q4."
So we're potentially looking at a metal-framed or metal bodied phone (something Huawei has demonstrated considerable aptitude for in the past) and a fairly large-ish 5.7in display with a QHD resolution (2560 x 1440 pixels); that should equate to around 515ppi.
The "SD820 SoC" is referring to the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor chip which is set to feature in several upcoming flagships. The inclusion of a fingerprint scanner is an interesting point, and we wonder what Google has planned for such a feature, perhaps tying it into Google Wallet to compete with Apple Pay somehow.
Lastly, that fourth quarter shipping date suggests we probably won't see this phone hitting the market until the very tail end of 2015, perhaps giving the limelight to the LG Nexus 5 2015 to come first.
Is This The Nexus 5 (2015)?
Good news everyone! Today a report has emerged that appears to show the next-gen Nexus 5 handset pictured in a promotional image.
A dedicated AndroidPit reader got in touch with the site with an image from an official Google webpage, the image shows a handset that looks nothing like any other device in the firm's catalogue.
As noted in the report, the handset looks rather like a very thin Nexus 7 tablet in terms of form factor design and has the typical matte back panel, but it's quite small - clearly smaller than the Nexus 6 even, suggeting it may well have a 5in display and be a reboot of the Nexus 5. That would make sense too, because there's been grumbling aplenty about the Nexus 6's large size and many have spoken out about how a new 5in phone would be welcome. Perhaps Google has listened?
Nexus 2015 Tops AnTuTu Benchmark?
While it is possible that the results are fake, a handset has shown up on the AnTuTu ranking tables marked as the "Google Nexus 5 2015 API 22". This handset has utterly floored all other devices on the database and jumped straight in at the top of the ranking, with a phenomenal score of 85530.
To put that in some kind of perspective the previous leader, now in the number two spot, was the Meizu MX4 with a score of 47,765. Quite a leap for the Nexus 5 to make, and presumably this isn't even a production ready model!
There is speculation that such a score indicates a Snapdragon 820 processor lurking inside the Nexus 5 2015's bodyshell.
Nexus 2015 Release Date
According to a September 2 report from Cnet's sources "familiar with" Google's plans, the firm intends to launch both the LG and Huawei Nexus devices at a San Francisco event on September 29. Both presumably with Android "M" Marshmallow aboard.
Following on from the increasingly frequent and detailed leaks in the last few months and weeks this timeframe is quite plausible. The report goes on to reiterate earlier information that the LG Nexus will be a successor to the Nexus 5 while the Huawei model seems to be a larger phablet, thought not quite as large as the Motorola made Nexus 6 from last year.
Huawei Exec CONFIRMS Nexus 2015 Handset In The Works
Huawei is making one of 2015’s Nexus handsets. In an interview with IBTimes, an unnamed Huawei exec confirmed that Huawei was indeed making a Nexus handset in 2015 and that it was very excited by the prospect as its arrival would do wonders for the company’s reputation in the UK.
“The source, who works for Huawei in the UK, confirmed the company was working with Google on the Nexus smartphone but was unable to talk about the specifics of the device or when it would be shipped beyond later this year,” said the report. “Google has previously worked with HTC, LG, Samsung and Motorola to build its Nexus smartphones which act as the reference devices for the latest version of Android, the company's market leading mobile operating system.”
The source said the new Huawei-built Nexus phone would begin shipping later on this year, but neglected to say anything regarding specs, hardware or pricing.
LG and Huawei FOR THE WIN
After all the mystery the end result of WHO will build the next Nexus couldn’t have been better, if a new report from Android Police is to be believed. According to the blog’s sources, it is no longer a case of who is building the next Nexus handset for Google but who’s building WHICH Nexus handset for 2015. Yep, that’s right, Google is apparently making two devices for 2015 –– great, if you’re not a fan of phablets.
“The LG device,” reports Engadget, “nicknamed Angler, would have a 5.2-inch screen and might borrow the G4's six-core Snapdragon 808 processor -- effectively, it'd be a modernized Nexus 5. Huawei's phone, Bullhead, would pack a bigger 5.7-inch display and could step up to a Snapdragon 810 chip. Think of it as a not-so-ungainly Nexus 6.”
The LG device will reportedly have a 5.2in display.
“LG will build the upcoming Nexus smartphone, but it will be based on an unreleased prototype,”reports Android Pit. “A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the device is still in development, told AndroidPIT that LG would not base the 2015 Nexus on the company's current flagship, the LG G4.”
However there is still ONE BIG Question: what the hell will this handset be called? The only name going spare at present is Nexus 8, but that’d be a jump of two from last year’s Nexus 6, which doesn’t really make sense. So, could we see an entirely new naming convention used on this year’s handsets? Potentially, as it really is the only option that actually makes sense, unless Google starts calling things 6s and the like, which seems pretty unlikely!
Nexus 2015 Specs
A report emerging on August 12 suggest that both the LG and Huawei Nexus handsets will pack a very similar set of specs. According to reliable leakster @OnLeaks posting on Twitter, the LG device will feature a metal body and a 5.2in display - it'll be around 8-9.8mm thick and 146mm x 72mm for the other dimensions. Allegedly it will also pack a fingerprint scanner, front-facing speakers and a USB Type-C port.
Meanwhile, the Huawei model will alos have a metal body and will be larger - 159mmx78mm and 6-8.5mm thick with a 5.7in display. However, it will feature the same fingerprint scanner, speakers, and Type-C USB as its LG cousin.
While exact processor specs and other details are yet to emerge, a leaked benchmark score suggested the LG Nexus will have a powerful chipset and a 1080p display. The Huawei model is rumoured to have a QHD display and a Snapdragon 820 SoC.
Google NEEDS 2015’s Nexus To Be A Success
In its Q1 2015 earnings call, Google discussed the relative ups and downs of its smallest money resource, Google Play and the Google Store. Google CFO Patrick Pichette confirmed revenue from “other revenues” –– Google Play and the Google Store –– was up 23% year over year to $1.8 billion, revenue was down 3% compared to the fourth quarter of 2014.
“Pichette went on to note that the year over year increase was driven by growth of the Play Store,” reports 9to5Google, “which was offset by a decline in Nexus. Pichette later in the call also stated that the decline of Nexus year-over-year is due partly to recent devices, mainly the Nexus 6, not performing as well as the Nexus 7 did in the previous year.”
Guess that means pricing the Nexus 6 like an iPhone didn’t work too well… Ditto for the Nexus 9. In fact, in the space of one year Google’s hardware lineup went from being perhaps the best value for money products on market to just, well, similar to everything else. Price –– regardless what Google says –– makes a HELL of a difference to punters when they buy hardware, especially Android hardware where it's supposed to be all about choice and getting the most bang for your buck.
How this news will affect the development, design, specs and pricing of the 2015’s Nexus handset remains to be seen. Personally, we think A LOT of people would like to see Google return to its Nexus 4/Nexus 5 business model.
What Will The Nexus 2015 Handset Be Called!?
"Naturally," says Android Headlines, musing on what Google will possibily call its new Nexus, "we’d think the next Nexus smartphone would be the Nexus 7, right? But wait, we’ve already had a Nexus 7, actually we’ve had two of them. So what could Google possibly name the next Nexus? Well they could go the route of most other OEMs and do Nexus 7 (2015). But boy that’d be confusing. Even though Google has stopped doing the Nexus 7 tablets, and moved to a 9-inch tablet in the Nexus 9 from HTC. Perhaps the Nexus 6 (2015)? A little less confusing since the name wasn’t shared by two tablets. Google might even start with an entirely new brand. Either way, Google has to do something this year with the Nexus line, as far as naming goes."
Obviously, this is all very confusing –– both LG and Huawei are being name dropped left, right and centre. A case for two Nexus handsets has been established, and this could mean that LG will build one and Huawei the other. Perhaps we’re looking at a 5in device and a phablet device this time around? Google’s decision to go with the 6in Nexus 6 wasn’t exactly received well by everybody, so hedging its bets this time around seems like a reasonable strategy.
More recently, an analyst in China has claimed Huawei is indeed making the next Google Nexus handset (well, one of them) and that it will feature a Samsung-made 5.7in QHD panel. "According to a post made on the Weibo social network by an apparently noted Chinese mobile industry analyst, Huawei’s making a Nexus phone with a 5.7-inch touchscreen that may have a 2,560 x 1,440 pixel resolution, and powering it up with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor," noted Digital Trends.
If true this would mean the upcoming Nexus handset for 2015 would have a smaller display than 2014's Nexus 6.
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