Google may be creating a sub-$100 Nexus phone using MediaTek processors

[nickgandionco]

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The Nexus line of devices have long moved on from their original purpose. The Nexus One proved what can be done with high end hardware and stock Android, basically serving as guidelines for other Android manufacturers. The Nexus S also had some amazing hardware, introducing a more refined version of Android. But from there, hardware being the highest end possible lost focus. The Nexus line was now more of a developer phone.

As time went on, that tagline also wore off. The new Nexus devices are cheaper, off contract alternatives showing off true, stock Android (now that it’s in a usable form, unlike pre-ICS). So why do the Nexus devices have to be powerful? Well, if this rumor is true, they won’t exclusively be this high end for long.

The latest rumor claims that Google will be creating a new Nexus device that will cost the customers under $100. It seems insane, but it’s really not that unlikely. To meet this goal, Google will be using MediaTek for the processor.

The Moto G uses a Qualcomm processor and costs $180, still making Motorola a profit. But Xiaomi can make the Hongmi for $85 using a quad core MediaTek processor, price it at $130, and still earn a profit. Google can easily pull off a $100 smartphone with some impressive hardware if the company sells the device at cost.

Not only would this be good for Google and consumers, it would be an excellent way for MediaTek to gain reputation in the United States. Whenever we hear about MediaTek, many of us think of them as a “budget” processor maker. But low cost doesn’t always mean low power, and a cheap Google smartphone could prove that and benefit MediaTek greatly.

Now for some speculation. Considering the substantial relationship Lenovo has with MediaTek, and Motorola being the perfect way to enter the US market, it would seem logical that Lenovo would have Motorola build this Nexus device. Plus, with Motorola’s expertise at building awesome budget smartphones, it would be the perfect choice.



If this is true, we could be seeing more of Nexus phones here in the Philippines.
(And a byproduct could be the increase of Cherry mobile and other local phones since mu salig na ang uban taw nga hesitant sa una sa mediatek nga processor. Just a wild thought though. As was mentioned, low cost doesn't necessarily mean low power. )

[reyscott1968]

nndot ni para cheap na ang android but lesser developer support.. kay ang mga devs kasagaran adto man mag cge buhat custom firmwares sa mga known high end devices...

[nickgandionco]

Hehe. Wa ta kbw dghan sad kau mu develop ani. It's still a Nexus device. and hopefully it will still get the latest updates from Google in the coming years.

[reyscott1968]

aw o. nexus man diay.. so better support..

[nickgandionco]

So the Nexus 8 will indeed be from HTC. We'll see how this goes. Hehe.

[vangeodee]

if gikan sa HTC ang next Nexus, it's bye bye NFC.

[nickgandionco]

Ang tab mui gkan sa htc.