Nexus 7 second generation to feature Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro

The next generation Nexus 7 tablet will use a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor rather than the rumored Nvidia Tegra 4, one analyst has revealed.

According to Indian website NDTV, Pacific Crest analyst said in a memo to Google, "Supply chain conversations indicate two reasons for Google's selection of the Snapdragon APQ8064 over Tegra 4: (1) competitive pricing and (2) a decision to single-source the application processor and 3G/4G modem to simplify logistics and create a fully pin-compatible platform interface."

The fact that this chip is cheaper means ASUS can keep the cost of the next Nexus 7 down, while offering top performance.

McConnell also said the Nexus 7 follow-up should be launched in the second quarter of 2013 to coincide with Google's I/O event.

"We believe NVIDIA has lost the application processor socket to Qualcomm's Snapdragon APQ8064 chip set (S4 Pro) in the next-generation Google Nexus 7 tablet, which is scheduled to begin shipment in 2Q13."

Rumored specs of the Nexus 7 follow up include a larger 7.7-inch full HD screen and running on Android Key Lime Pie.

We find this pretty surprising as the previous update to the Nexus 7 added 3G and not a lot else. Google, like Samsung and Apple, tends to launch new devices at regular intervals rather than bunching everything together.

It is thought Google will launch its next Nexus smartphone at Google I/O in May - rumored to be the Nexus X or Motorola X Phone - the first in a partnership between Motorola and Google.

Some people have suggested it may launch with ASUS again as the partner, but nothing concrete has surfaced to justify this rumor.