Huawei Reportedly Manufacturer of Next Google Nexus Smartphone

Gizmo China, citing market research firm, reports that Google tied up with Huawei as the maker of the next Nexus smartphone to be released in the second half of the year. Kevin Yang, Director of China Research, iSuppli (a market research firm) spilled the news in a Weibo (Chinese equivalent of Twitter) post. Unfortunately, Yang did not suggest any specific details about the handset or the pricing.

In another report, Huawei is said to be the manufacturer of the cheaper of the two Nexus smartphones Google is planning on releasing this year. Details about the upcoming Nexus handsets are limited as of now.

To recall, Google has worked with HTC, Samsung, LG, and Motorola for Nexus handsets. HTC-made Nexus One was the first Nexus smartphone launched back in 2010 while with Samsung the company launched Nexus S in 2010 and Galaxy Nexus in 2011. The company changed gears and joined hands with LG for next two consecutive Nexus handsets namely - Nexus 4 and Nexus 5. Meanwhile, formerly Google-owned Motorola made the last Nexus smartphone, the Nexus 6.

A report in January claimed that the Google Nexus 6 was in line to sport a fingerprint scanner like the HTC One Max on its rear panel; though due to Apple it was dropped.

Motorola Mobility's former CEO, and the current COO at Dropbox, Dennis Woodside revealed this information in an interview. He explained that Apple bought Authentec, the maker of fingerprint sensor chips, who were the best supplier; leaving with second best option that was available to other OEMs.

Considering that Google's Sundar Pichai, Senior Vice President, Android, Chrome and Apps, recently talked about a new mobile payment system called Android Pay, we can expect the next Nexus devices to pack fingerprint technology.