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New Nexus leak suggests an all-metal Google phone

New Nexus leak suggests an all-metal Google phone

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Google's latest Nexus phone is shaping up to be an all-metal device that comes in both 5-inch and 5.5-inch screen sizes, according to a report from Android Police. The smaller phone, codenamed "Sailfish" and seen in the leaked image above, looks very much like the existing Nexus 5X with a fingerprint scanner on the back and same camera and front plate design. Android Police says the 5.5-inch model, codenamed "Marlin," won't look much different. In an interesting twist, the report adds Google may replace the "Nexus" logo with a "G" logo. Both are expected to be manufactured by HTC, according to FCC filings approved today.

If the news checks out, this upcoming Nexus line would mark another big shake up at Google's in-house Android phone division. Last year, the company tried a slightly larger budget model with the all-plastic LG 5X, which came with a 5.2-inch display. Google also sold the more expensive all-metal Huawei 6P, which had a whopping 5.7-inch display. It appears this go around, Google is downsizing both models, but retaining more premium materials for better build quality, perhaps as a way to compete more directly against Apple and Samsung.

Google's newest Nexus phone may be an all-metal device made by HTC

Google CEO Sundar Pichai said back in June that the company would be more "opinionated" about Nexus design. "You’ll see us hopefully add more features on top of Android on Nexus phones," he said at the Recode Code Conference. "There’s a lot of software innovation to be had." When asked about whether the company would ever manufacturer its own devices, Pichai shot down the possibility. "No," he said, "Our plan is still to work with OEMs to make phones." Still, it looks like a new logo and another screen size and manufacturer change show Google is ready to keep experimenting.


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