We’re just a few months out from Android N becoming official, even though we don’t have an official name for the next version of Android just yet. When Google launches a new version of Android, that also means new Nexus hardware. Typically we get a new smartphone or two, and sometimes a new tablet, or a new set-top box like the Nexus Player. There’s been plenty of rumors floating around that HTC is supposedly making two Nexus devices for Google this year. But the rumor mill just got thrown a curveball. According to Gearburn, Huawei is making the Nexus again this year.
In an interview, general manager for Huawei’s Consumer Business Group in South Africa, Charline Munilall stated “We’re doing the Nexus again this year, by the way” while answering a question about why the Nexus 6P didn’t become widely available in the region. While she was talking about the Nexus 6P when she stated that the company is doing the Nexus again this year, that doesn’t mean that they are doing a Nexus smartphone. It could be another device, and we’ll likely won’t get confirmation until Google officially unveils the device later this summer with Android N.
Huawei made the Nexus 6P last year, with Google. It was the first time that Google went to China to get a partner for the Nexus program (after using the likes of HTC, Samsung, ASUS, LG and Motorola), and Huawei created a fantastic device with Google. The Nexus 6P received great reviews from just about everyone. Much like when LG made the Nexus 4 and Nexus 5 for Google, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Google head back to Huawei for another device this time around.
This doesn’t mean that the rumors about HTC making the Nexus this year are untrue. For all we know, Google could be planning a slew of Nexus devices this year. Including two new smartphones, perhaps an upgrade to the Nexus 9 which debuted in 2014, and an upgraded Nexus Player. But this is a rumor, so we’ll have to take it with a grain of salt, at least for now.