Google and HTC's rumored Nexus Marlin and Sailfish are one step closer to an official launch. The Android 7.0 Nougat-based smartphones just passed through the FCC and received certification to run on all major U.S. carriers.
Apple and Google are in the final stages of preparing to release iOS 10 and Android 7.0 Nougat, which are currently in beta testing. iOS 10 is expected to be released to the public in September and will ship out of the box on the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus.
While we have a pretty good idea of when Apple will launch, begin preorders and release the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, the same can't be said for Google's next-generation Nexus smartphones, which will be manufactured by HTC.
A report surfaced in late July, which claimed Google would release Android 7.0 Nougat in August, leading to speculation that it would also likely launch the HTC Nexus Marlin and Sailfish in conjunction with the updated OS.
We're already halfway through August, and while it doesn't look like Google will release Android 7.0 Nougat and new Nexus smartphones this month, it shouldn't be much longer.
The FCC filing identifies the Nexus Sailfish as NM8G-2PW2100, and the Nexus Marlin is identified as NM8G-2PW4100. This is usually one of the last hurdles smartphone manufacturers have to go through before an official release.
The HTC Nexus Sailfish recently had some of its key specs revealed when the smartphone made an appearance on AnTuTu benchmark. The handset is expected to replace Google's current Nexus 5X, which features a 5-inch 1,920 x 1,080 Full HD display. A Qualcomm Snapdragon 820/821 processor will reportedly power the handset, along with 4 GB of RAM, and will be offered in 16 GB and 32 GB of internal storage capacities. It's rumored to also include a 12-megapixel rear camera and 8-megapixel front-facing snapper.
The HTC Nexus Marlin is expected to replace the current Nexus 6P, and leaked renders of the smartphone show it will have a premium aluminum design. It will reportedly pack in a 5.5-inch 2,560 x 1,440 Quad HD display and will be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820/821 processor and 4 GB of RAM. Reports claim it will also come equipped with the same 12-megapixel rear camera and 8-megapixel font facing camera as the Nexus Sailfish. In terms of storage, 32 GB and 128 GB are expected to be offered.
This surely won't be the last we hear of the HTC Nexus Sailfish and Nexus Marlin leading up to its launch, so we'll keep you posted once we hear any fresh news.
