Every year, Google works with at least one manufacturer to release a reference device for its Nexus program. This device serves as Google’s vision for the latest version of Android, and in the past has pushed the envelope in at least one unique way.
With the Nexus 4 we saw a camera with the ability to take photos almost instantly, and with the Nexus 5 the world experienced a smartphone with top-of-the-line hardware and a pricetag that dramatically undercut the rest of the industry.
We’re probably not going to see a Nexus 6, since that name leans far too close to the Replicant androids from Blade Runner, but this wouldn’t be the first time Google has leaned away from traditional numbers in the Nexus line. For obvious reasons, it looks like the next device will be dubbed the Nexus X.Google has worked with Motorola twice in the past on reference devices, but never one with the Nexus branding. The Motorola Droid and Motorola Xoom were both the first devices in their respective times to introduce a new Android release, but the Nexus X will have the Nexus branding and be the first device to market running Android L.
While we don’t currently have a version number for this release, and can only guess at what the L stands for (we’re pretty sure it is Lemon Meringue Pie based on the available information), there can be no doubt that L will launch on this phone. If you’ve been playing with the release preview for Android L, you already have a good handle on what to expect. If not, check out our hands on with the release preview for a deeper explanation.
As for the hardware, we’ve heard several reports stating the shape will resemble a stretched out Moto X. Not the original Moto X, mind you, but the new 2014 Moto X. The folks at 9to5Google have a render of what they think the phone will look like, and we’ve been able to independently confirm those rumors with our own sources.
The 5.92-inch display on the Nexus x will come in at around 2560 x 1440, but with the use of on-screen buttons you’ll usually be working with just slightly less than that. The way Motorola has designed this phone means the Nexus X is noticeably larger than something like the LG G3, but will be very close to the iPhone 6 Plus in terms of height and width. Motorola’s curved backing will mean the phone is a little thicker than the iPhone, but since you’re basically never going to use this monster with one hand that almost doesn’t matter.
With any luck, the Nexus X will address the two most glaring flaws of the previous two Nexus devices – camera and battery life. Motorola’s camera for the Moto X 2014 seems to be a marked improvement over the previous generation, as you can see in ourcamera shootout with the two devices, but it still doesn’t make the climb from good to great. It’s possible that the Nexus X will take advantage of the new camera software headed to Android L, but we’ll have to wait and see.
The battery in this beast is expected to be 3,200mAh, which is the same size as the battery in the 5.7-inch Galaxy Note 4. Since both of these phones are backing large QHD displays, and Android L is supposed to have some crazy good new battery software, there’s no reason to anticipate battery life will be a problem here.
All signs point to October 15th for the announcement of this phone, with a launch by the end of the month. There’s been no invitation to any event, but remember last year Google just sort of dropped the phone in our laps at 5pm Eastern on Halloween. Given the dramatic changes in Android L, and the promise of an HTC-made tablet to accompany this Nexus X, it seems unlikely that Google will get away with not holding a press event this time around.
Until that happens, it looks like Nexus fans need to decide whether or not the Nexus X is going to fit in their hands and pockets.