There has been a lot of speculation about which OEM will be making the next Nexus device, due later this year. The Nexus 6P by Huawei, which was released last year, was widely well appreciated by the people. However, recent reports have pointed at HTC having acquired the rights to manufacturing the upcoming Nexus smartphone(s). However, in a startling turn, Huawei’s GM of Consumer Business in South Africa, Charlene Munilall, has claimed that the China-based technology juggernaut will be making the next Nexus device, and not HTC.
According to an interview by Gearburn during the launch of the Huawei P9 Trio in South Africa, Munilall said, “We’re doing the Nexus again this year, by the way.” While this is not much of a confirmation about anything, and is only a single line in an otherwise much longer conversation, it gives an insight into what we may expect from this year’s Nexus device(s).
Huawei has been working closely with Google of late, with Huawei's Director of Consumer Electronics, Richard Yu, was quoted by the Wall Street Journal about launching Google’s Daydream VR-compatible phone, this fall. While this may not be of direct consequence, it does seem possible that Huawei would be given manufacturing rights to this year’s Nexus smartphone.
Earlier, there were reports about HTC making two Nexus devices, internally named M1 and S1, and running the latest Android N operating system, scheduled for launch in Q3 2016. You may wonder if this will be another year where more than one Nexus device will be made by separate manufacturers, like the LG-made Nexus 5X and Huawei’s Nexus 6P last year marking its departure from the tradition of a single Nexus phone each year. While we have similar thoughts in mind, it may also be possible that Google has a larger scheme planned behind the flagship-class Nexus devices, going into the near future.
[Update] Huawei has gotten touch with us and stated, "We don’t comment on future products, as a matter of policy. Huawei is committed to creating the world’s most compelling and innovative devices, offering an exceptional performance and outstanding user experience. We are proud to have worked with Google, which is strong in innovation, on the Nexus 6P and will continue to collaborate in the future, such as our support for Daydream, the recently-announced platform for high performance mobile VR."
It is interesting to note the Huawei hasn’t exactly said that they are not going to manufacture the Nexus devices. So questions regarding the manufacturer of the phone is still up in the air.