'Nexus 5X,' 'Nexus 6P' To Be Revived? Google Released Android 7.1.2 Beta To Phones

The Android 7.1.2 update for “Nexus 6P” is finally here – the beta at least. The update does not include the fingerprint gesture feature, though. Find out why.
(Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Last year, Google indirectly announced that the Nexus brand will be discontinued. With the release of the “Google Pixel” phones, many Nexus fans were left disheartened, but it seems like Google has not completely forgotten about the beloved Nexus phones after all. “Nexus 6P” will receive the Android 7.1.2 beta update, while “Nexus 5X” users got it a few weeks ago.

According to Android Headlines, “Nexus 6P” will get the update on March 7. But reports say that a preview has been rolled out, but it does not include the fingerprint feature, unlike the “Nexus 5X.” The fingerprint gesture feature was included in the beta update that “Nexus 5X” received, and the reason why it’s not on the “Nexus 6P” just yet is reportedly because Google is currently working on optimizing it. However, we can be sure that when the public version of Android 7.1.2 is released, the fingerprint gesture support will be included.

Meanwhile, Mashable reported that Google may bring the Pixel’s Assistant to the “Nexus 5X” and “6P” in a future update. Stephen Hall from 9to5Google recently said on Twitter: “Was recently told that Assistant is finally coming to Nexus 5X/6P soon with next “major” update.” This is again to be confirmed but if it this is right, then is going to be a dramatic shift in strategy for Google, the website added.

It can be remembered that when the “Google Pixel” phones were announced, the company said that the Assistant would be exclusive to their new phones and “Google Home.” Google even said that the feature is the key differentiator as well as the major selling point of the “Pixel” and “Pixel XL.”

Many users are happy that apparently, Google has not forgotten about the Nexus phones, and some speculate that this update is a way of letting fans know that they are reviving that Nexus brand. These are just rumors though, and should only be taken as a grain of salt.

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