A Huawei employee in the U.K. familiar with the company’s plans has seemingly confirmed that Huawei is indeed working with Google on one of the two next-generation Nexus handsets expected to be released later this year alongside Android M.
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Speaking to IBTimes, the unnamed person said that Huawei is interested in this Google collaboration as it’s looking to significantly expand its profile and business in the west. Apparently, the Nexus program is the way to do it.
The source told the publication that the new Nexus phone will begin shipping later this year, without revealing any details about it. Previous reports claimed that both Huawei and LG will make new Nexus smartphones this year, a first for Google, as the company has never launched two Nexus handsets at the same time.
According to previous rumors, the Huawei handset will be the bigger model, sporting a 5.7-inch Quad HD display.
Huawei is the biggest smartphone maker in China, but the company might not be able to sell the Nexus handset in the market, as Google’s online services found on such devices are banned by the Chinese government. At MWC 2015 in March, Google reiterated its intention to get back to China, though it’s not clear whether that will happen with help of a new Nexus handset from Huawei.
Meanwhile, a Huawei spokesperson said that the company is “unable to confirm whether it will be working with Google on the upcoming Nexus phone. Huawei are committed to creating innovative and exciting devices and will continue to work towards its vision of producing high quality and affordable products.”
