Recent rumors may suggest that Google is designing its own Android phones this year, but that hasn’t stopped reports suggesting HTC is building two new Nexus phones.
Android Police says it’s acquired the specs for the larger of the two devices, codenamed Marlin:
- Quad-core Qualcomm processor
- 5.5″ QHD (2560×1440) AMOLED display
- USB-C port
- 12MP rear camera, 8MP front
- Rear-mounted fingerprint scanner
- 4GB RAM
- 3450mAh battery
- Bottom-firing speakers
- 32/128GB of storage (no 64 GB option)
- Bluetooth 4.2
Previously, Android Police had shared surprisingly similar specs for the smaller Sailfish model:
- HTC-Made
- 5″ 1080p display (~440PPI) AMOLED
- Quad-core 2.0GHz 64-bit processor
- 4GB RAM
- 2770mAh battery
- 32GB storage (unknown if multiple models will be available, or even if this is the base storage level)
- 12MP rear camera, 8MP front
- Rear-mounted fingerprint scanner
- USB-C port
- Bottom-firing speaker or speakers (unknown if dual)
- Top-mounted headphone jack
- Bluetooth 4.2
It’s not clear exactly what processor the phones are using, but Android Police believes they will share the same model.
While it might just be the current flagship Snapdragon 820, it could be the rumored 821 or 823 model.Google has previously suggested that its Daydream VR platform requires different specs (likely for thermal management) than what current phones offer, and it’s a fair assumption that the newest Nexus devices would be VR-ready.
It’s interesting to note that aside from the screen and battery, the phones appear to be virtually identical, spec wise. That’s different from last year’s take, where the 5X was clearly the underpowered model vs the 6P. It’s a nice nod to the people who simply want a smallish Android phone with powerful specs.
But then again, Huawei says it’s building a Nexus again this year too, so who knows.
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