Reportedly, the upcoming Google Nexus 2016 editions may become available as carrier-locked variants. One rumored operator to carry the new flagships on its store is Verizon Wireless.

According to noted tipster Evan Blass, the two iterations will be listed on the online store for Verizon customers. Should this prove true, this will be a first for the carrier – directly commissioning Nexus handsets. Although the previous Nexus 6 is available for Verizon subscribers, it only comes as a third-party, unlocked version compatible with the mobile operator.

Meanwhile, the announcement also subtly hinted that while Verizon Wireless may be directly listing the new Google Nexus flagships for its store, the new iterations will come under a different branding. Verizon Wireless is known to do this to several other lineups as well, most notably with its "exclusive" Moto Droid lineups.

Aside from Verizon Wireless, there are also rumors that other operators are thinking of listing the new Google Nexus flagships in their own stores. Android Headlines reports that Sprint is thinking of carrying one of the iterations, dubbed as the HTC Marlin.

If the new Google Nexus 2016 will indeed be carried by mobile operators, it is expected that the new flagships will be slightly different from the unlocked versions. Aside from a rebranding, the new carrier-locked iterations may likely carry a new version of Android Nougat, with bloatware already featured on it. However, the design and specs will most likely be the same as the global version of the new iterations.

Speculations on carrier-locked Google Nexus 2016 variants have been going around for some time, though it remains unconfirmed. Last year, both the Google Nexus 5X and current-gen Google Nexus 6P were not listed in carrier stores, as Google opted to sell the flagships directly to consumers through its online store and third-party retailers like Amazon and B&H.