Nexus 6 (aka Motorola Shamu) Spotted in GFX Benchmark

Earlier this year it was rumored that the Nexus line-up will be killed, as Google is planning to introduce a new Nexus-like program called Android Silver. Soon after a Google employee dismissed the rumors, we’ve heard of a new Nexus tablet and, late July, about a new Nexus smartphone, unofficially dubbed Nexus 6.

The first Nexus 6 reports claimed that the new smartphone running Android Vanilla and codenamed Shamu will be manufactured by Motorola and that will pack a 5.9-inch display. Well, a handset called Motorola Shamu has been spotted in GFX Benchmark logs, so more details emerged.

The scores of the Motorola Shamu device are in line with those of other smartphones powered by Snapdragon 801 chipsets, so we are tempted to believe that this will be the processing solution chosen for the Nexus 6. Is increasing the processor from a Snapdragon 800 to a Snapdragon 801 is enough for a Nexus smartphone? No, definitely not, given that customers are expecting a 64-bit processor or a Snapdragon 805 unit.

The benchmark database also revealed some details about the display of the Motorola Shamu. Even though there’s no mention of a 5.9-inch screen, the logs are revealing that the smartphone is packing a 1080p panel, despite the rumors saying it might arrive with a Quad HD (2560 x 1440) unit.

Anyway, there’s no way to verify veracity of the report, therefore we are advising you to take it with a pinch of salt. Anyway, the “Shamu” codename checks with Google’s habit of naming their Nexus devices after water creatures. Sources in the industry are reporting that Nexus 6 will be officially introduced late-October or early-November, when Android L is expected to be released for the public. The debut of Nexus 6 will also be marked by the launch of a new Nexus tablet manufactured by HTC and codenamed Volantis.

Update: TechTastic posted this screenshot of the Nexus 6 compared against the Android flagship smartphones currently on the market. As you can see, the LG G3 (also a smartphone powered by a Snapdragon 801 CPU) scores way below its rivals because of the QHD display. Therefore, we should rule out the possibility that smartphone with a QHD screen on a Snapdragon 805 processor (specs that were previously rumored for Shamu) might have a similar score to the one of a smartphone with a FHD screen on a Snapdragon 801 CPU.