The hype around Google’s next Nexus device, the Nexus 6, is growing with an anticipation of a release as early as next week.
Codenamed Shamu, possibly after the infamous killer whale, the Nexus 6 will feature a 5.9-inch screen pushing it into the relams of a phablet to compete with Apple’s iPhone 6 Plus.
But unlike previous Nexus devices, which have been known to offer high-end features at a budget price, a smartphone review website founder has said that the phone won’t be "ultra cheap".
Paul O’Brien, founder of MoDaCo, said in a tweet: "Nexus 6 (or whatever it ends up being called) should come in under £450."
O’Brien also alluded to a October 15 release date, a move by Gogle to disrupt the release of Apple’s next iPad on October 16.
He tweeted: "Did I say Nexus announce for the 16th? Obviously I meant the 15th… <cough>."
Last week, sources from Motorola, the firm which is manufacturing the Nexus 6, told the Wall Street Journal that the phablet will have a 5.9-inch screen, a HD display and be sold with the Nexus branding. Whilst these are not particularly new surprising revelations, the information speaks volumes about Google’s strategy against Apple in the phablet market, devices which now account for 24% of the smartphone market, and the continuation of the Nexus brand, a brand which was thought to already have been axed following the announcement of Android Silver.
The iPhone 6 Plus has a 5.5-inch screen, so bringing a Nexus phablet to market with a larger screen for a lower price may pay off for Google. Furthermore, by joining the phablet wars, Google could also attract new customers from emerging markets. These customers are buying their first mobile device and are looking to phablets to act as ‘pocket computers’.
