As we approach Google's expected Android L "Lollipop" press event in the coming weeks, we're learning more about the Nexus 6. A new report claims the 5.9-inch Motorola phablet will be the first Nexus released by Verizon in three years.
In 2011, when Google unveiled its latest Nexus smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, one of its launch carriers was Verizon Wireless. The Galaxy Nexus was the first Nexus smartphone to be offered by the carrier. Nexus fans who were used to buying the smartphone unlocked to run on AT&T and T-Mobile's network had the option of purchasing a variant of the smartphone, which included support to run on Verizon's 4G LTE network.
Even though Verizon was offering an official Nexus smartphone, the carrier did not follow Google's cardinal Nexus rule of allowing Google to update the smartphones via OTA updates whenever the company issued an update to its Android OS. This infuriated many Verizon Galaxy Nexus owners, who purchased the smartphone due to the usual timely Android updates. It was widely reported that the Galaxy Nexus was the first and last Nexus on which Google would partner with Verizon. This may not be the case, however .
A new report claims that Google will once again partner with Verizon on its upcoming Motorola built Nexus 6 phablet. The carrier is expected to begin selling the smartphone after Google officially launches it, the HTC Nexus 9, and Android L "Lollipop" at an event later this month or early November.
The Nexus 6 is expected to feature a 5.9-inch Quad HD display with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 and will showcase Android L Lollipop, thanks in part to its powerful internals. The phablet will be powered by a 2.6-GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 processor and coupled with a healthy 3 GB of RAM. The Nexus 6 is said to include 32 GB of internal storage, a high-end 13-megapixel rear camera with support for recording 4K UHD video, and a 2-megapixel front-facing shooter. Motorola has reportedly packed in a large 3,200-mAh battery to provide exceptional battery life.
The phablet wars are going to get very interesting now that Apple has entered with its iPhone 6 Plus. Samsung is about to release its Galaxy Note 4 shortly, and Google plans to take on both with the Nexus 6.
