Nexus 7 2016 release rumor: New devices to appear at Google I/O event?

Official Google Blog

Numerous speculations have floated online about Google's plans to add another device to its Nexus devices. If the rumors are true, then fans of the Nexus lineups may expect at least two new Nexus 7 smartphones, and a new Nexus 7 tablet. Additionally, the new iterations are said to be launched at Google's annual I/O event.

According to KnowYourMobile, Google is satisfied with China-based Huawei's take on the Nexus 6P and that the two tech manufacturers will again partner for a Nexus device. Huawei is set to refresh the Nexus 7 tablet iteration, and instead of the new device being launched as a budget-friendly tablet (much like the earlier editions of the Nexus 7 made by Asus), the upcoming Huawei Nexus 7 will offer above-average specs and might even come out as a premium flagship. In addition, the industry observer said that Huawei plans to set a mid-2016 timetable for its release and might be launched in June, at the annual Google I/O conference.

Meanwhile, The Bit Bag reported that instead of the Nexus 7 being a tablet iteration, it will instead be a complete lineup and, aside from the Nexus 7 (2016) tablet, will also have at least two smartphone iterations. Allegedly, Google tapped HTC to be its partner for the smartphone iterations. The industry follower added that much like last year's Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P launches, there will be two iterations for this year, one for a smartphone with a 5.0-inch display, and a premium one with a 5.5-inch screen.

Should the rumor be proven true, this will not be the first time that Google and HTC partnered with a Nexus device. The Taiwan-based company was behind the Nexus 9 tablet, launched in 2014. Prior to that, HTC was also the one to manufacture Google's first Nexus smartphone, the Nexus One, in 2010.