Previous rumors have said that Google has partnered with HTC, ostensibly for a new Nexus project. The rumors seem to have weight on them, as recent speculations suggest that HTC is already working on two new handset flagships under the Nexus banner.

According to a supposed leak from Evan Blass, the two new phones are internally known as the M1 and S1 handsets. With the alleged leaks already starting, it can be expected that the two new Nexus phones are coming out soon. Rumor has it that Google is placing the two new Nexus phone to be launching vehicles for its new Android N operating system.

It remains to be been if the rumor will be confirmed. However, it should be noted that Evan Blass is known as a prominent tipster, and has also made a number of correct guesses in the past.

Meanwhile, the leak has been collaborated by Android Police, adding that the two new Nexus phones could be the "Marlin" and "Sailfish" devices currently being developed by the company. The codenames, while not a direct confirmation, are also hints that HTC-inspired Nexus handsets for this year are plausible. In the past, Google has also used fish names as internal codenames for Nexus devices. The industry follower listed that the current Nexus 5X and 6P were codenamed "Bullhead" and "Angler." The other previous Nexus iterations were also named after fishes.

In addition, HTC doing a Nexus flagship is plausible, since this is not the first time that Google has partnered with the China-based conglomerate for such a project. Previously, HTC has already made the Nexus 9 tablet, and the very first Nexus One smartphone is also a partnership between HTC and Google. Meanwhile, fans are expecting that the next Nexus may be similar to design and build with the current HTC flagship, the HTC 10. It remains to be seen, however, if Google will let HTC have a free rein in the next Nexus flagships.