Skip to main content

Android Rumors: New hardware and software coming in the next week

Android-evolved-header
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Google is to hold an event on July 24 in San Francisco, an early morning get-together hosted by the company’s head of Android and Chrome, Sundar Pichai. The invitation has circulated, but gives absolutely nothing away about what could be announced on the day. Given Pichai’s position in the company, we can logically expect it to be related to Chrome or Android, and as Google I/O was lacking in new hardware and software announcements, we’re hoping it’s all about Android.

Here’s what we think might be announced.

Android 4.3

Yes, finally, we could see a new version of Android. (It’s been since late 2012, for Pete’s sake!) However, as the version number suggests, it’s probably going to be an evolution of Jelly Bean, so we shouldn’t expect an extensive new feature list. This is certainly the impression we’ve got from leaked builds of Android 4.3, which have been shown to include Bluetooth Low Energy, a new dialer, and a new camera application.

Nexus 7

We’re now about a year on from the Nexus 7’s announcement, making it the ideal time for a sequel to arrive. Sure enough, various rumors and leaks have indicated an updated Nexus 7 tablet will arrive around the end of July, which fits in rather nicely with Google’s event.

We’ve heard plenty about the tablet, too. While the screen is expected to remain at 7-inches, the resolution could be bumped up to 1080p or higher, and the processor swapped from a Nvidia Tegra chip to a Snapdragon chip produced by Qualcomm. A 5-megapixel camera may be added to the rear of the tablet, which if a leaked image is accurate, will lose the textured design seen on the first.

The one thing we don’t know is how Google will name the tablet. Nexus 7 2 is a bit clunky, so perhaps it will do an Apple and simply name it the, “New” Nexus 7. However, a leaked spy shot allegedly taken from UK retailer Carphone Warehouse’s inventory system shows the tablet as the Nexus 7 2, and that it will be available in both 16GB and 32GB versions.

Nexus 4 Refresh

Nexus-4While a new version of Android and an updated Nexus 7 tablet are the top contenders for Pichai to reveal this week, there is also one other possibility, but it’s more of an aside than the main event. A refreshed version of the Nexus 4 smartphone was rumored before Google I/O, with reports linking it to more storage and 4G LTE connectivity. The white edition has come and gone, so perhaps a slightly updated phone will fill the gap until it too is ripe for replacement at the end of the year.

The Nexus 5 and Android Key Lime Pie are extreme outside chances, based on existing talk of the Nexus 5 coming in October, and almost nothing at all on the next major revision of Android. Google will live stream the event on YouTube, and it begins at 9am PT on July 24.

More events coming…

Verizon’s July 23 event: According to reports, Verizon will be adding new devices to one of its most popular exclusive ranges, which could mean we’ll be getting a series of new Droid-branded smartphones. This fits in with several recent leaks, which document the Droid Ultra, Droid Ultra Maxx, and the Droid Mini. The Droid Ultra was accidentally revealed on Motorola’s website, so not only appears to be a genuine device, but also that the Google-owned firm is going to be producing all three new Droid phones.

Moto X coming August 1: It’s not likely the much-rumored Moto X will be launched on July 24 either. Motorola has sent out invitations to a separate event for August 1, and as the Moto X name is splashed across the front, it’s a safe bet we’ve got a little longer to wait before the customizable, assembled-in-Texas smartphone is made official.

Andy Boxall
Senior Mobile Writer
Andy is a Senior Writer at Digital Trends, where he concentrates on mobile technology, a subject he has written about for…
Don’t buy this new Motorola phone — get this other one instead
Renders of the Moto G 5G (2024) and Moto G Power 5G (2024).

the Moto G 5G (left) and Moto G Power 5G Digital Trends

Budget phones can slip under the radar when shiny, powerful flagships launch. But if you're in the market for a smartphone that gets the job done and won't blow a four-figure hole in your bank balance, then a great budget smartphone is the way to go.

Read more
Get 32% off the cellular model of the iPad Pro 12.9 this weekend
The iPad Pro on a desk next to a stylus and AirPods.

If you've been thinking about getting the iPad Pro with cellular connectivity but you've been hoping to buy the tablet from iPad deals for a discount, this may be what you've been waiting for -- a 32% discount from Amazon's Woot on the 12.9-inch, Wi-Fi + Cellular model of the 2021 Apple iPad Pro with 128GB of storage. From $1,199, it's down to just $810, which is a steal price for this device with savings of $389. However, while there are still several days left on this offer, it's highly recommended that you proceed with the purchase immediately because there's a chance that stocks don't last that long.

Why you should buy the 2021 Apple iPad Pro 12.9
It's not the latest version of Apple's top-of-the-line tablet -- the honor goes to the 2022 Apple iPad Pro -- but the 2021 Apple iPad Pro is still a pretty powerful device by today's standards. That's because it's equipped with Apple's M1 chip, which promises fantastic speed and excellent graphics when you're working on your multimedia projects, multitasking between several apps, or playing console-level games. With its 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR touchscreen, you'll enjoy high-brightness and high-contrast content, and its mini-LED display provides deeper black levels and more vibrant colors.

Read more
Samsung Galaxy A55 vs. A54: all the big changes, explained
Renders of the Samsung Galaxy A55 next to the Galaxy A54.

Galaxy A55 (left) and Galaxy A54 Digital Trends

Samsung has been on a roll with new phone releases in 2024. At the end of January, Samsung released the flagship Galaxy S24 lineup. It's fantastic, but not everyone can afford the latest and greatest flagship. Thankfully, Samsung also makes budget-friendly alternatives, and that’s the appeal of the new Galaxy A55.

Read more