Huawei Making a Daydream-Ready Phone and Another Nexus Device: Reports

Chinese handset maker Huawei has huge plans set for this year as the company plans to launch a Daydream-ready smartphone. Additionally, a Huawei executive has confirmed that the company is again working with Google for a new Nexus device. With two different reports responsible citing different Huawei executives, it is uncertain whether they are referring to the same phone.

Google had recently confirmed that the Daydream platform won't support the current lot of smartphones and that it will only work with a select number of Android N running smartphones that will have special sensors and screens while supporting high refresh rates to minimise latency and allow for a crisp, smooth VR experience.

Huawei CEO Richard Yu has told WSJ that the company has plans to launch a VR-ready "this fall" which will be compatible with Google's Daydream platform. Unfortunately, Yu didn't share any details about the availability of the new handset.

Yu further talked about the partnership with legendary camera manufacturer Leica. The Chinese company struck a deal with Leica for its high-end Huawei P9 and P9 Plus smartphones that were launched featuring Leica-made dual rear cameras.

Yu again stressed that Huawei's partnership with Leica was a "long-term commitment" and added that it will continue for the next five years. We can expect Leica-made cameras to be part of Huawei's high-end smartphones for next few years.

A Huawei executive has confirmed that the Chinese company is working on a new Nexus device this year. At the launch of Huawei P9 in South Africa, Charlene Munilall, General Manager, Huawei's Consumer Business Group in SA told Gearburn, "We're doing the Nexus again this year."

While Munilall didn't confirm whether the new Nexus device is a smartphone or a tablet or a new product altogether but 'seemingly' confirmed that Huawei is indeed working on a Nexus. We may have to wait for the official launch of the new Huawei-made Nexus.