Gauging the success of its Nexus phones, latest report that says Google may be releasing a new range of low-end, sub-$100 Nexus devices is not surprising.
Any company would probably maximize such potentials if it sees one. Besides, this isn't the first time that Google seemed to have aimed at tapping the budget smartphone market.
Claims based on a Chinese website MTKSJ, Google allegedly partnered with chipmaker MediaTek to produce the rumored low-priced Nexus device. However, not much information was revealed in the report except for the price.
The rumor on the Google low-priced smartphone came following another report saying Amazon will launch a smartphone that is capable of 3D images or animation without the need for special glasses.
Market analysts though said the sub-$100 Nexus phone probably will not supersede the flagship devices but rather will compete with similarly low-priced rivals such as the Xiaomi Red Rice or Xiami Hongmi.
Apart from the rumored low-end device, a high-end device is also in the works for Google, based on further research. The new Nexus tablet device of 8.9 inch is supposedly to be released this year, with HTC tagged as the manufacturer and Intel - instead of the Qualcomm Snapdragon - for its chipset. MediaTek supports majority of low-end smartphones in markets like China and India.
Other reports say a new software update, that is the Android 4.5, will also be unveiled in the summer together with the said new 8-inch tablet. A new high-end Nexus 6, said to be a successor of Nexus 5 and latest flagship smartphone of the company, would also follow this year.
Research says the earlier Nexus devices were known for its exceptional hardware and software specs at more reasonable prices compared to others, so Google isn't getting any profit from the sales of its hardware. For instance are its Nexus 5 and 7 models. There are timely updates of Android as well in the previous Nexus devices.
There were previous rumors as well that Google will no longer release Nexus products, so if the recent low-end device were true, then the company might have weighed in on the possibility. For now, everyone can only wait till the Google I/O developer conference starts in June, where the truth will likely set or not set such rumors free.
