Google Nexus 2016, 2017, 2018 Smartphones to be built by HTC; Nexus 2016 to be based on HTC 10

Early speculations revealed that HTC would be building two Nexus 2016 smartphones, one of which is the premium variant of the Nexus smartphone which may be based on the HTC 10. Now, fresh rumours indicate the Taiwanese tech giant has clinched a three-year deal with Google to build the Nexus 2016, 2017 and 2018 smartphones.

According to Pocket Now, which cited information from My Drivers (Chinese source), Google will collaborate with HTC not only this year but also in 2017 and 2018. It also stated the Taiwanese manufacturer will only be manufacturing Nexus phones for the search engine giant, and will not be building any Nexus branded tablets.

HTC had manufactured the Google Nexus One phone in 2010, and in 2014, it had built the Google Nexus 9 tablet.

Google Nexus 2016 rumours suggest that the successor for the Nexus 5X will arrive with a 5-inch display, while the Nexus 6P display will measure 5.5-inches. The current generation Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P both come with respective screen sizes of 5.2 and 5.7-inches.

Meanwhile, the HTC 10 (aka HTC One M10) that is going to be announced next month is expected to arrive with overhaul improvements to the HTC One M9. Rumours are rife that the design of the premium variant of Nexus 2016 smartphone will be somewhat based on the HTC 10.

The rumour mill has also revealed that HTC will be incorporating pressure-sensitive display in its Nexus 2016 smartphone. The Android N OS that will come preloaded on the device will be carrying support for the 3D Touch-like functionality that is available on the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6S models. The 3D Touch feature will enable HTC Nexus 2016 smartphone to differentiate between various kinds of touch pressures on the screen. The Nexus 2016 phone will also carry support for the forthcoming Nexus VR device.