Google Nexus 6 2016 Rumors: Early Details Surface, Android N, Snapdragon 820 Chipset Expected

Correction, Tuesday, 11:43 p.m. EST: A previous version of this story referred to George Zhao as CEO of Huawei's Honor business. The story has been corrected to state that Zhao's correct title is president.

For the first time Google chose to collaborate with Huawei to manufacture the Nexus 6P smartphone. Now, fresh rumors suggest that both companies again will work together in building the Google Nexus 6 (2016) smartphone.

According to Gizmo China, industry expert Pan Jiutang has revealed that the alleged Google Nexus 6P successor will be a Huawei product. However, since it will be a flagship smartphone, it is likely to be powered by Snapdragon 820 chipset.

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 was launched in Asia Friday. It has been revealed that the newly announced SoC will be powering more than 70 devices in 2016. Hence, the Nexus 6P successor is predicted to be one of the smartphones to feature it. Therefore, it is likely that Google may not use the Huawei’s in-house chip, the Kirin 950 SoC, on the Nexus 6 (2016) smartphone.

It is likely that the Nexus 6 (2016) will be arriving with Android N operating system. The Google Pixel C team has revealed through a recent Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything) session that one of the features that will arrive with the Android N is the split screen view, Android Police reported.

Even the Android OS does not come with native support for split screen view, Samsung has been providing multiple window support on its Galaxy Note series phablets. The Nexus 6P that comes with a 5.7-inch display is a phablet device and hence it is likely to arrive with split screen support.

Huawei and Google’s partnership for the Nexus 6P in this year has allowed the Chinese brand to enter Western markets like the U.S. and Europe. George Zhao, who is president of Huawei’s Honor business, has revealed that the Honor line of smartphones will be arriving in the U.S. He has even hinted on making an announcement at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2016 event in the next month, Android Authority reported.

Rumors are rife that the Honor Play 5X that has received FCC certification and it may get announced at the CES 2016 event. The Honor 7 and Honor 6 smartphones are also expected to arrive in the U.S.