According to Android Central, Google may drop the Nexus branding from its flagship handsets. I’ve owned multiple Nexus devices including the most recent Nexus 6P. The Nexus phones are pure ‘vanilla’ versions of Android which Google envisioned how Android would run on phones across the world. However, we know companies like Samsung, HTC, LG have all heavily skinned Android with TouchWiz and their respective skins to differentiate the phones.
Google’s newer plans are to skin their version of Android with a layer of complexity like Samsung’s TouchWiz, but the features will likely revolve around Google’s new AI and Google’s search function. In a way though, Google’s always skinned Android with their Google Now launcher and other features; Pure ‘vanilla’ Android doesn’t have Google services. I use a lot of Google services for work and personal use, so I’ve been okay with all those services being added into Android. However, another layer of complexity on Android could create more confusion, and further fragment Android as Samsung and other might now want to remove further their features they’ve added in with their skins.
The new branding for these ‘Nexus’ phones could go two routes. The first is Google calls these phones Google phones with their Google logo on the rear like they did with previous Nexus phones. The other path, and more likely, is to use the Pixel branding that they’ve grown with the Pixel Chromebook, Pixel C, and soon maybe two-pixel phones.
Either way, Google’s working towards making their ‘Nexus’ phones more consumer friendly with better branding and more features users could use. These new skinned versions of phones will still be ‘Nexus’ devices, but they’ll carry a different brand and could be seen in more stores with lower price tags. I’ll still buy the devices, and hopefully, there will be a smaller screen one like the 5X now that I would love to snag.
Why the name’s going to be different, they’re still going to be the phones Google wants everyone to produce, and they’ll likely have Daydream built into them from the start. I’m pumped to see what Google announces for their next phones, and I’ll pick one up as soon as I can!
Tell us in the comments below what you think about Google dropping their Nexus names and adopting a new branding!
Aren’t all Pixel devices manufactured by Google? I think HTC are likely to build the new phones, which is not a bad idea (they should know what they’re doing).
They’re probably going to stick with calling them Google phones, although it could be confusing. ‘I’ve got a Google’ vs. ‘I’ve got a Nexus’ is a bit like saying ‘I’ve got a Microsoft’ for a Lumia phone.
I can’t stop thinking that ‘Pixel’ sounds almost retro. Reminds me of old low-res mobile phone displays.
I’m not postive if Google produces those Pixel devices, but it would be interesting if they started bringing more stuff in house.
Google phones sound so creepy to me. I think consumers wouldn’t want a Google phone always listening and knowing their infomartion. At least with the Pixel name, they can keep themselves at arms length but still market to the masses.
Pixel is a funny name but they have great devices thus far!