What were Nexus phones?
Nexus phones were a series of mobile devices developed by Google in collaboration with various hardware manufacturers, with the aim of providing a pure Android experience, without interface modifications or pre-installed third-party applications. The phones were launched as follows:
Nexus One (2010): Manufactured by HTC, it was the first device in the Nexus line. It came with Android 2.1 Eclair and was known for its sleek design and the introduction of voice search feature.
Nexus S (2010): Manufactured by Samsung, this model introduced NFC technology and came with Android 2.3 Gingerbread.
Galaxy Nexus (2011): Also from Samsung, it was the first device to have Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. It stood out for its HD Super AMOLED screen.
Nexus 4 (2012): Made by LG, the Nexus 4 brought a glass design on the back and a 4.7-inch display. It came out with Android 4.2 Jelly Bean.
Nexus 5 (2013): Continuing with LG, the Nexus 5 was very popular thanks to its balance between quality and price. It came with Android 4.4 KitKat and a 5-inch Full HD display.
Nexus 6 (2014): Made by Motorola, it was the first Nexus to have a large 6-inch screen and launched with Android 5.0 Lollipop. This model had a robust design and powerful performance.
Nexus 5X (2015): Made by LG, it returned to a more manageable 5.2-inch size and launched with Android 6.0 Marshmallow. It was known for its good performance and decent camera at an affordable price.
Nexus 6P (2015): Made by Huawei, it was the most advanced Nexus device to date, with an aluminum body, a 5.7-inch screen, and a much-improved camera. It also came with Android 6.0 Marshmallow.
Evolution to Pixel
In 2016, Google decided to change its strategy and launched the Pixel line, designing both the hardware and software to have more complete control over the user experience. As with the strategy of previous phones, the company made some alliances with technology brands, until 2017.
Pixel and Pixel XL (2016): Made by HTC, these phones marked the transition from Nexus to Pixel. They focused on camera quality and integration with Google Assistant, and arrived with Android 7.1 Nougat.
Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL (2017): With HTC and LG as manufacturers, respectively, these models stood out for their exceptional camera, the introduction of Active Edge (to activate Google Assistant by pressing the phone) and the elimination of the headphone port.
Around 2018, Google decided to launch the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL with the support of Foxconn, and since then they have taken over the manufacturing of their devices. The Google Pixel 8, launched in October 2023, is the latest model in Google’s Pixel series, but is still available only in the United States, Germany, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czechia, Denmark, Spain, United States, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Norway, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, United Kingdom, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland and Taiwan.
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