Click to Skip Ad
Closing in...

Google’s new Nexus phones might have an Android Nougat feature no other devices get

Published Aug 23rd, 2016 1:49PM EDT
Google Nexus 2016 Storage

If you buy through a BGR link, we may earn an affiliate commission, helping support our expert product labs.

Google is expected to unveil two new Nexus devices this year, both made by HTC with similar high-end designs and flagship hardware. The phones will run Android 7.0 Nougat out of the box, meaning buyers will get to experience all the cool features in the new Android OS, including one cool feature that’s not available on any other Nexus handsets. However, it might not actually be a feature you want.

DON’T MISS: The iPhone 7 will obliterate the Galaxy Note 7 and every other smartphone

Google explained that new devices that ship with Nougat on board would come with support for seamless updates that will make updating the entire system and Android apps a lot easier than before. That means your next Android update will be ready to go instantly, without requiring restarts or other annoying app optimizations.

But to offer this feature, devices will have to sacrifice some of their built-in storage. A developer who has intimate knowledge of HTC’s plans, and who has leaked details about HTC’s plans before, says the feature will be found on the upcoming Nexus handsets. However, he doesn’t necessarily see it as a useful addition.

“Curious fact about Android N for upcoming HTC Nexus phones, all partitions will be doubled…” LlabTooFer tweeted, posting a screenshot to prove it. “What a waste of storage…”

Google has yet to confirm it, but rumors say the HTC Nexus handsets will come in 32GB and 128GB models. It’ll be interesting to see how much storage will be available to the user with this Nougat feature enabled. Also, it’ll be interesting to see whether the feature can be disabled by the user.

Chris Smith Senior Writer

Chris Smith has been covering consumer electronics ever since the iPhone revolutionized the industry in 2008. When he’s not writing about the most recent tech news for BGR, he brings his entertainment expertise to Marvel’s Cinematic Universe and other blockbuster franchises.

Outside of work, you’ll catch him streaming almost every new movie and TV show release as soon as it's available.