Rumours last week suggested that Google would partner with MediaTek to develop a cheaper Nexus smartphone. Taiwan’s United Daily News today shed more light on this next Google Nexus device, indicating that it will use a 64-bit processor. Two MediaTek system-on-a-chip solutions could fit the bill nicely. There is the 1.5GHz quad-core MediaTek MT6732. Another possibility is the 2.0GHz octa-core MT6752 SoC as well. With mass production for the latter not slated to start until Q4, it appears that the former may have the edge, particularly if this is to be an inexpensive device.
While Android does not support 64-bit processors yet, it is expected to gain this feature with its next major release. Google could well, as it has done in years past, announce this latest version of Android in the October time frame along with this new Nexus smartphone packing a 64-bit processor.
What is not so clear is if Google is looking to offer two new Nexus smartphones later this year. Will this inexpensive Nexus model be offered alongside the more powerful Nexus 6? Or could they be one and the same? The Moto G has proven that there is an appetite for an inexpensive but well-specced smartphone. With Motorola taking the Moto G with it to Lenovo, Google may have decided that its needs its own similar device.
Underlying how valuable MediaTek sees its new relationship with Google, the report adds that it has reportedly sent R&D staff to work closely with Google and provide on-site technical support on this next Google Nexus smartphone. The company expects that such a partnership could open doors with first-tier manufacturers such as HTC, LG and Sony.
All in all, there is plenty of conjecture here but we should not be surprised if the future Nexus smartphone(s) sports a MediaTek processor.
Sources : United Daily News // G for Games