Google Nexus 6 aka Nexus X to Be Largest Yet; Launch This Month: Report

A new report corroborates what has been widely expected based on earlier leaks, that the upcoming Nexus smartphone is codenamed 'Shamu' and is being built by Motorola.

WSJ reports that Google will be releasing its largest smartphone this month in an attempt to intensify the competition in the phablet segment, citing people familiar with the matter.

The report adds that the alleged Nexus 6 aka Nexus X has been codenamed 'Shamu' after a killer whale and will sport a 5.9-inch screen with higher resolution. Additionally, the report suggests that the next Nexus smartphone is being built by former Google-owned Motorola Mobility, in-line with previous reports.

If the recent leaks and rumours turn out to be true, then Google's next smartphone will be the 'largest' Nexus branded smartphone in terms of screen size. The Nexus 5 sports a 5-inch display, and the new Nexus will be bigger than the iPhone 6 Plus (5.5-inch) and Samsung Galaxy Note 4 (5.7-inch).

The report citing one of the people familiar with the new device also suggests that Google plans to offer the Nexus 6 aka Nexus X at lower price than Apple's iPhone 6 Plus which costs about $749 without a contract in the US, and has been priced at more than $800 in Asian markets.

The reports stresses that the Mountain View company has multiple goals with its upcoming Nexus smartphone and tablet. It claims the new devices help "software developers to test updated versions of the Android operating system on the latest hardware."

"Google also hopes other Android phone makers will adopt features of Nexus devices," WSJ adds.

The report quotes Ankit Jain, CEO and founder of mobile start-up Quettra and a former executive at Google Play to say, "If Android doesn't have something at that size there will be a hole in their portfolio. Google doesn't want to make the same mistake that Apple made over the last few years by missing out on the demand for larger phones."

Google has been tight-lipped about the launch of the upcoming Nexus devices; however, recent reports have suggested the devices might be released in mid-October (October 15 or 16).

In addition to the Nexus 6 aka Nexus X, Google is also rumoured to debut the next Nexus tablet believed to be manufactured by HTC - the rumoured Nexus 9 was 'confirmed' by an HTC executive on Wednesday, while it was pictured by a tipster recently - along with the general release of Android L.