HTC 10 (HTC One M10)
HTC 10 Android-based smartphones are displayed during the launch event in Taitung, Taiwan, April 12, 2016. REUTERS/TYRONE SIU

Speculations suggest that Google has partnered with HTC to release two Nexus smartphones this year. The HTC 10 (HTC One M10) is being praised for its topnotch features by tech experts. The rumour mill is claiming that the 2016 Nexus smartphone will be based on HTC 10. If it comes true, it will probably be the best Nexus smartphone of all time.

In 2010, HTC had manufactured the Google Nexus One smartphone and the company had also built the Google Nexus 9 tablet in 2014. The Taiwanese tech giant is rumoured to build two Nexus smartphones this year. One of them will be midrange device that will be launched to replace Nexus 5X and the other one would be sporting advanced specs and it will be released to succeed Nexus 6P.

Early rumours suggest that Nexus 5X successor will arrive with a 5-inch display and the Nexus 6P successor will feature 5.5-inch screen. The LG Nexus 5X has a 5.2-inch screen whereas the Nexus 6P is a phablet device with 5.7-inch display.

A concept model of 2016 Nexus smartphone based on the features of HTC One M10 has surfaced on Reddit. The Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P have their fingerprint scanners placed on their back panels under the rear camera. The HTC Nexus smartphones are also expected to feature rear-facing fingerprint reader. The HTC 10 has the fingerprint sensor embedded under its Home button at the front.

The Nexus 6P and HTC 10 both sport dual speakers on their front panels. The 2016 HTC Nexus concept model also features dual speakers. Like the HTC One M10 flagship, the Nexus smartphone from HTC is also expected to feature chamfered edges on the rear panel along with a big Nexus branding.

Each year Nexus phones are launched with the newest version of Android. The upcoming Nexus smartphones are expected to arrive with Android N 7.0 preinstalled.

The HTC Nexus phones are rumoured to come with pressure-sensitive screens that will support a functionality that is similar to 3D Touch feature available on Apple iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus. Early speculations that 2016 Nexus smartphone would carry support for the rumoured Nexus VR headset.

Last year, the Nexus phones were released in October 2015. The final version of Android N is expected to be ready by July. Hence, the Nexus 2016 release date is expected to happen in the third quarter of this year.

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