Google Nexus 7 2016 release date, specs rumors: Huawei to build Nexus 7 refresh with late 2016 release

The Nexus 7. Google will reportedly launch a new slate this year, though rumors suggest that instead of a Nexus 7 refresh, the new tablet will come under the Pixel lineup.Asus global website

A supposed leak has predicted that Google will partner with Huawei for a new 7-inch tablet to be released before the year ends.

According to perennial tipster Evan Blass, the new tablet is expected to refresh the Nexus 7 iteration, since it will have the same dimensions. However, the new slate is deemed to be a flagship tablet since the leaker has mentioned that it will feature at least 4 GB of RAM. Interestingly, Blass has only hinted that the new slate is "Google's Huawei-built 7-inch tablet." This leads to speculations that instead of a Nexus 7 refresh, the new slate will be Google's new flagship tablet variant to its upcoming Pixel lineup.

This seems likely, as reports have already suggested that Google is rebranding its 2016 Nexus iterations as the Pixel and Pixel XL flagships. Although unconfirmed, it follows that a new flagship slate will also come under the Pixel lineup.

Meanwhile, aside from teasing that the new Huawei-built slate will carry 4 GB of RAM, Blass has not mentioned any other details on the supposed new Google tablet. However, as a flagship tablet, the new 7-inch slate will more likely launch with an above-average Snapdragon processor, an SD 625 at the minimum. It is even possible that the new slate will launch with Snapdragon 820, given that the Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones will remain the top-tier lineup iterations featuring a Snapdragon 821 chipset.

As for other supposed specs, the new Huawei-built tablet may launch with a 2560 x 1440 resolution display, and 64 GB of base storage. It is expected that there will be other onboard storage options. In addition, it is but confirmed that as a Google flagship, the new slate will launch with Android Nougat — the rumored 7.1 version for the new Pixel lineup is possible — right out of the box.