It looks like the Nexus brand could be on the chopping block as Google tries to unify its hardware branding. A source familiar with the matter told Android Police that this year's phone's from Google, Marlin and Sailfish, will drop traditional Nexus branding and take on the monikers Pixel and Pixel XL.
The source said that Sailfish, the 5-inch device, will be the Pixel. That makes the larger 5.5-inch Marlin the Pixel XL. This report falls in line with an earlier rumor outed by Android Central, claiming that Google would drop the Nexus branding for this year's phones.
This would be a good move for Google, unifying its hardware efforts. It might finally start giving Google the clear direction it needs with its products.
What might be more interesting is that Google is planning to market the Pixel and Pixel XL as the first phones “Built by Google.” This is an interesting way to market the phones, considering that HTC is believed to be heavily involved in the development of the Pixel and Pixel XL.
It'll be interesting to see how Google designs these phones. In traditional Pixel fashion, each Pixel device (e.g. the Pixel C, Chromebook Pixel) has had a lightbar. It would be neat to see Google push that branding, though some early live shots aren't showing much indication of it.
Is the Nexus brand dead? We're not sure, but as the Pixel and Pixel XL take the stage, it's starting to seem as if it's on the chopping block as Google moves towards a unified brand.
source: Android Police
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