Google may be preparing to add another screen size to its Nexus tablet lineup. Rumors about a Nexus 8 have been floating around for months, and now CNET is stirring the pot with a report suggesting the next Nexus tablet could be an 8.9 inch, “high-performance” model built by HTC.

Google Nexus One (from HTC)
Google Nexus One (built by HTC)

Neither Google nor HTC has said anything about the tablet yet, but CNET’s info comes from research and consulting firm IHS Technology. That means it’s probably best to take this news as an educated guess based on industry research and maybe some leaks in the supply chain.

If the reports are true, it’s likely the tablet would be more expensive than the Nexus 7, with a price of $299 or higher which would make it more of a niche product that the companies would expect to sell in smaller quantities than the reasonably popular Nexus 7.

Production is said to be expected to ramp up this summer, which suggests the tablet could hit the streets in late summer or early fall.

The last Nexus product manufactured by HTC was actually the first Nexus device — the Google Nexus One smartphone. While its 3.7 inch, 800 x 480 pixel display, 512MB of storage, and single-core processor look pretty dated at this point, it was one of the best Android phones money could buy when it launched in 2010.

It’d be interesting to see what HTC and Google can come up with by working together on a more modern device.

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7 replies on “Report: HTC could build a premium Google Nexus 8.9 tablet”

  1. throws money without thinking about it.. as long as it has the one’s premium feel and performance! 🙂

  2. Can’t HTC just make another Nexus phone already? I have nothing against the great two devices that LG has made, but it’s time for another maker to get involved.

    If this is going to be a nine-inch tablet, i guess this wouldn’t really go replacing the Nexus 7.
    However, three Nexus models to choose from would certainly be interesting, especially if we get new hardware partners.

  3. I wish the 9″ tablet segment would get more popular. My Nook HD+ is pretty much the ideal size and weight for a tablet. 10″ tends to be a bit big and heavy, while 7″, just – why so small? I think since a lot of companies already make a 10″, they think that a 9″ will be too similar. So they go for 7 or 8. Meanwhile everyone misses the sweet spot.

    1. 7 inch was to cater to those who read e-books but still want to be able to do something else with it other than just reading books. It’s just very cumbersome to be carrying a 9 or 10 inch on the bus trying to read a book. That’s like trying to read a textbook on the go.

    2. the sweet spot seems to be different for everyone. Mine is Huawei’s new 7″ tablet without bezel and full phone functionality.

      Consider how your sweet spot would change if the other tablet manufacturers followed Huawei and got rid of the annoying wide bezels?

  4. HTC’s first Nexus device was a watch?! Dang, never got a glimpse of that one! 🙂 “The last Nexus product manufactured by HTC was actually the first Nexus device — the Google Nexus One smartwatch.”

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