According to Android Police, this is HTC’s Nine inch Nexus tablet, the Volantis.
With talk of Android Silver rumors and LG’s Ken Hong stating that the manufacturer doesn’t have a Nexus phone in the cards, the future of the Nexus line is uncertain.
There’s no confirmation yet on whether a new Nexus phone exists, but there is information on HTC’s Volantis (or Flounder), an 8.9″ Nexus tablet. The information indicates the possible specifications, features, and pricing, as well as an early look at the form factor, although the images may not be final renderings of the device.
The tablet is internally referred to as the Nexus 9, though this name could change before it comes to market. Here’s what we know of the specs:
- 8.9″ Display at 2048×1440 (281ppi)
- NVIDIA Logan 64-bit processor (Tegra K1)
- 2GB RAM
- 16/32GB internal storage
- 8MP OIS main camera, 3MP front facing camera
- Aluminum zero-gap construction
- Stereo front-facing speakers
- 8.91″x5.98″x0.31″ body (that’s 22.63×15.19×0.79cm)
- 418g (or 427g with LTE)
The Volantis looks like a combination of LG’s Nexus 5 and ASUS’ 2013 Nexus 7 , although the image above doesn’t quite correspond with the listed features.
With rumors that the Nexus 6 was canceled in light of the Android Silver program, we need to take this information with a grain of salt. That said, a source familiar with Volantis stated that the hardware already exists, and that the tablet is already being touted by some at Google. The first devices pegged for the Android Silver program aren’t expected until 2015, so it would make sense that Google is prepping a Nexus to launch Android L.
The Volantis is due to be released in Q4 2014 and is expected to be the launch device for Android’s L release so don’t expect it at Google I/O this year.
From the information available possible price points are as follows:
- $399 for the 16GB version
- 499 for the 32GB version
- $600+ price range for LTE version
However, pricing is something that can change easily up until release.
Not a good spec/price, particularly by the time it reaches here. That’s more expensive than the Nexus 5, it’s too big for a pocket (152mm wide, vs 114mm), the memory is too small, and it’s heavy. It’s as if HTC had a mini ipad knock off design lying around and thought “that’ll do” when google came knocking. Hell, its even bigger than the mini ipad, sitting between the mini and maxi ipads. Much more a successor to the Nexus 10 than the Nexus 7. Not something to buy until the 32GB version is less than $299, and even then, not… Read more »
OT: ‘canceled’ should be ‘cancelled’. You must have accidentally put your browser’s spell check on en-US instead of AU/GB 😉
If this thing has the mentioned specifications AND the dual front facing speakers, then I have found my N7 replacement.
If its real, then I may have just found my new toy.
Has to be one of the woest images. Really.
Volantis? So they’re outright cribbing A Song of Ice and Fire names?
FAKE !!!!!
The button on the bottom is clearly visible and in the same location as the Ipad Mini as is the 4:3 aspect ratio. Poorly Photoshopped fake !!!
Hi me, you do realize the top photo has been photo shopped by Android Police for a clearer picture?
Hmm, previous post seems to have ‘disappeared’…..
Just to point out that 2048×1536 would be QXGA, and a better match to the stated dimensions (5.34″ vs 5.12″ into 5.98″ would yield the same bezel as the Nexus 7).
– 2048 x 1440 is not a 4:3 aspect ratio, even if you account for the navigation bar
– Claims dual front facing speakers, none to be seen in the image
– Claims aluminum build, yet looks like the plastic Nexus 5 build
Yeah not buying into this, yet Android Police seem pretty certain on their source.
Would love for it to be true, but it just doesn’t sit right with me.
Still really happy with my 2013 Nexus 7 but if they manage the same sort of improvement that I saw from the 2012 to the 2013 N7 I may be looking at another upgrade.