Nexus 9: New release date, pricing & specs rumours emerge

It has been hinted at that the Nexus 9 will be unveiled at a New York media event taking place on 8 October, according to a report onTechRadar.

The article also mentions the tablet will have a Tegra K1 processor, which was somewhat confirmed by Nvidia's previous report mentioning the tablet.

More details about the device's camera have also emerged, with the Nexus 9 apparently set to arrive with a waterproof, tubular camera with a 16MP sensor. It will also have a wide-angle view that can be controlled via smartphone with the relevant app.

Rumours surrounding HTC's Volantis 8.9-inch Nexus tablet, or Nexus 9, have previously surfaced online, with possible specs, features and pricing detailed along with a look at the device's design.

An alleged new look at the device has surfaced on TKTechNews, with a screenshot exposing some of the tablet's possible features.

These include a 2.5GHz dual-core NVIDIA Tegra K1 Denver processor. Previously, it was rumouredthe device would sport a 64-bit Tegra processor, MDM9x25 modem, 4GB RAM, NFC, GPS and Android L, as well as an 8-megapixel camera and 1.6 megapixel front-facing camera.

Before this, an Android Police report revealed the specs to include an 8.9-inch display at 2560x1600 (281ppi), NVIDIA Logan 64-bit processors (Tegra K1), 3/4GB RAM, 16/32GB internal storage, 8MP OIS main camera, 3MP front facing camera, aluminium zero-gap construction, stereo front-facing speakers, 8.91inx5.98inx0.31in body and a weight of 418g (or 427g with LTE).

If this information were correct, it would be worth noting that the new Nexus 9 will be markedly heavier than the Nexus 7, as well as many other competing tablets. This is due to the aluminium construction differing from plastic in terms of weight and thickness.

The image included in the report does not appear to sport many of the above features, however, with the specified casing and front-facing speakers in particular missing from the picture.

Its possible this image is merely an early draft of the design, and that the eventual device will sport specifications the same or similar to the above.

In terms of pricing, the device is expected to cost around $399 (234) for the 16GB model or $499 (293) for the 32GB model. Users would also need to spend more for LTE or 4G connectivity.

Google has partnered with HTC for the new device for the first time since the Nexus One in 2010, having worked with ASUS for the Nexus 7 and Samsung and LG for various smartphone models.

A new leak supposes the Wi-Fi version of the tablet will be released in multiple countries, including Japan and Korea. The LTE version will be available in markets such as Europe, Russia, India, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, Korea and Hong Kong.

Caroline Preece

Caroline has been writing about technology for more than a decade, switching between consumer smart home news and reviews and in-depth B2B industry coverage. In addition to her work for IT Pro and Cloud Pro, she has contributed to a number of titles including Expert Reviews, TechRadar, The Week and many more. She is currently the smart home editor across Future Publishing's homes titles.

You can get in touch with Caroline via email at caroline.preece@futurenet.com.