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Brand new leak says Google phone will be as powerful as top Android flagships

Published Aug 17th, 2016 7:15AM EDT
Google Nexus 2016: Marlin vs. Galaxy Note 7

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Google is expected to release two new Android phones in the coming weeks. Most reports refer to them as 2016 Nexus devices, while a fresh rumor claims Google will go for Google branding instead. The company is supposedly looking to better position its devices to fight against the iPhone, and the rumored device will have high-end specs and high-quality design. A brand new leak indicates that the phones will indeed have top hardware, matching the specs of some of the hottest smartphones out there, including the Galaxy Note 7 and Galaxy S7 series.

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An Antutu benchmark for the “Google Nexus Marlin” found on Weibo by The Malignant indicates the tested phone packed a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor, 4GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, 13-megapixel primary camera, and 8-megapixel front-facing camera. The handset also has a 2560 x 1440 (2K) display.

A few days ago, a similar leak was posted online for the HTC Sailfish, which is the smaller of the two. Aside from screen resolution, set at 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) for the Sailfish, the two handsets are identical.

The Sailfish leak also included Geekbench scores for the handset: 2158 in single-core and 5355 in multi-core tests.

A search for “Google Marlin” on Geekbench produces scores for the upcoming phablet as well. Recorded on June 30th, or well over a month before the Google Sailfish listing was spotted, the test lists 2084 and 4969 in single- and multi-core tests for the Marlin.

Credit: Geekbench
Credit: Geekbench Image source: Geekbench

Recently, HTC documentation submitted to the FCC already confirmed the company is making two new devices for Google, whose user manuals will be found on Google’s Nexus mini-website.

Furthermore, the first real photos of the HTC-made phones have emerged online.

At this point, it’s probably a matter of weeks until we’re going to see the Marlin and Sailfish become official. October 4th is the rumored release date for the handsets.

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.