Google's Nexus phones don't have the instant recognition of a Samsung or LG handset, but they do play an important role in the Android ecosystem. As such, they draw a special kind of attention from Android enthusiasts. Each year sees a fresh cycle of rumors, speculation and leaks as a new generation of Android device, showcasing the latest the OS has to offer, comes into focus. This year, many of the most credible rumors surrounding the 2016 Nexus phone (or phones) points to HTC being the manufacturer of choice. And aside from just how likely these individual reports are, there are plenty of logical business reasons why HTC might want to hop onboard the Nexus train. Let's take a look at why it almost makes too much sense to not happen. Verizon is offering the Pixel 4a for just $10/mo on new Unlimited lines

HTC is becoming ever more partner-focused. For VR, it's Valve. For fitness, it's UA. And for phones, it's Google. Firstly, HTC has been moving towards a partner-centric approach across all its business areas — in effect, returning to its roots as an ODM (original device manufacturer), but with much more input into the end product, and a more visible consumer-facing brand. Vive, HTC's VR endeavor, sees it partnering with PC gaming giant Valve. In connected devices, it's Under Armour. And in phones, increasingly, it's Google. It's a natural response to the company's precarious financial position. This new, closer partnership with Google began with the HTC One A9, and was more visible than ever in the recently announced HTC 10. At a meeting ahead of that phone's launch, HTC's Head of Global Product Marketing, Darren Sng, told Android Central that the company's close relationship with Google was "non-exclusive," implying that it wasn't getting any special treatment. Nevertheless, the Google partnership has been a major pillar of the last two big HTC releases. That's not something you could say about a Samsung, LG or Huawei. And in contrast to those major players in the Android world, there's far more highly visible Google stuff on HTC's recent phones. HTC Sense now looks and feels more like Google's OS than ever before. And the company leans more and more on Google's app and service ecosystems, with HTC's own apps being gradually phased out.

A Nexus collaboration would be a natural extension of this partnership, bringing the full Google software experience to an HTC-made phone, and strengthening that relationship for a possible "HTC 11" and beyond. Unlike an HTC-branded phone, getting involved with the Nexus program would allow HTC to piggyback on Google's marketing machinery, and potentially have a large, influential partner backing them in any carrier negotiations. Sure, the Nexus series' success within the global carrier system is mixed, especially within the United States. But consider that HTC's flagship for the 2016 will be available on just two of the big four UK operators, and just one carrier in Canada. Meanwhile the HTC 10 will miss out on valuable AT&T shelf space in the U.S. There's only one way to read that: carriers are losing confidence in HTC.

Nexus is a niche brand, but increasingly so is HTC.