After the launch of the Google Pixel and Pixel XL, many fans of the Google Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X and the general Nexus lineup weren’t so happy with the price tags of the two phones.
Ever since the introduction of the Nexus brand, the search engine giant had positioned the phones as cheap alternatives to the expensive flagships from the likes of Samsung, Sony, and LG, yet providing solid hardware specs and features that just about match what the flagship handsets offer. The last of this lineup was the Google Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X – two phones that shipped with high-end hardware specs but were priced way below the other Android flagships in the market.
The Google Nexus 6P made its debut priced at $499 while the Google Nexus 5X came in with a price tag of just $379. Where the former was the flagship model, the latter was the entry-level variant. Last year, the entry level Google Pixel came in with a price tag of $649 while the high-end Pixel XL started selling at $769. These prices meant that those who had been waiting to make the shift to the new Google phones had to shell out more money or be content with their current Nexus 6P or Nexus 5X.
Now, in a new turn of events, it appears that Google wants to revive the Nexus brand. As you may know, no Nexus device was made by Google, instead, the company partnered with the likes of Huawei, LG, HTC and Motorola to manufacture these devices. Google’s major role was to provide the software and their updates and if the latest report is to be believed, this is just about to resume.
Apparently, the search engine giant is exploring the idea of bringing in different manufacturers to join a program it calls “Designed with our friends at Google.” Looking at the new tag for the Pixel phones – Made by Google – it is obvious that the search engine is looking at bringing back what used to happen with the Nexus lineup via this “Designed with our friends at Google” tag.
Google has already started the program with the new partnership with LG as far as Android Wear 2.0 is concerned. The two will be launching a series of smartwatches together – designed by LG but powered or rather handled by Google, similar to the Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X. In fact, the source of this “Designed by our friends at Google” tag is the upcoming LG Watch Style, which comes with this label just below the product name.
It was recently claimed that Google is working on pushing the cheaper Android One phones into the U.S. market, something that could also work as a great replacement of the Google Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X and Nexus 6, among other affordable Nexus devices. However, it is still not clear what exactly Google has in plan, including the partners it will be working with. But looking at how LG and HTC have recently been involved in the company’s activities, it is likely that the two will be among the OEMs joining the “friends” party in Mountain View.
Keep in mind that this report is based on speculations and not a confirmation by Google. However, it is obvious that Google wants to take this “friends” thing far beyond the smartwatch or rather hardware market. There is talk of the LG G6 coming in with the Google Assistant baked into the phone’s core functions like the Google Pixel and Pixel XL, however, like the rest of the details regarding this “Designed by our friends at Google” tag, take these developments with a grain of salt, at least until clearer details come out.
We’ll keep following the story and bring you the latest developments as they happen. Meanwhile, let us know your thoughts on this matter via your comments below.