The next generation of Google’s Nexus 7 tablet will carry a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro (APQ8064) processor instead of NVIDIA’s next-gen Tegra 4. Michael McConnell, a Pacific Crest analyst, believes the search giant along with Asus will make the change because of tighter integration with modem technology and lower costs.
This proclamation by McConnell isn’t so far-fetched, especially when you keep in account the lack of LTE provided by today’s Nexus 7 due to the Tegra 3 processor inside. A switch to the Qualcomm S4 processor would certainly speed up the device’s transition to the speedier 4G LTE network. Changing the chip could anger some of the die-hard gamers out there, so Google will need to think such a move through before implementing this kind of action.
McConnell also sees the new Nexus 7 being shipped sometime in the second quarter of this year, which again, isn’t an earth shattering prediction. Many rumors have already suggested an imminent unveiling of the new tablet by both Asus and Google in late May.
The new version of the Nexus 7 is rumored to having a full HD (1080p) display, smaller bezel, and the same $199 and $249 prices seen on the current model. With Google I/O fast approaching, more answers should be on the way.
[CNET; via Droid-Life]