Early reports have hinted that HTC will be building the next Nexus smartphone for Google, and now we have an idea of what it might look like, Digital Spy reports.

A good amount is already known about the two rumoured devices, codenamed Marlin and Sailfish, with each phone offering enough power to run Google Daydream virtual reality on Android's Nougat operating system.

The pair are believed to house similar internal specs but different screen sizes.

The new image, posted by Android Police, shows how this particular device will take on a similar, aluminium-finished look, not unlike Apple's iPhone.

According to the site's sources, the phones will also be available in silver, black, and 'electric blue' when they launch later this year.

Perhaps most notably, the phone appears to be dropping the curved camera bump - something that LG and Huawei both previously featured.

Also, on the bottom of the rear, a Google "G" logo rests where the company usually lets its Nexus partner splash their brand.

In February, Google CEO Sundar Pichai stated that he wanted "Apple-like" control over the Nexus lineup in the future. Based on reports and the branding in this render, that move could already be under way.

Time will tell whether the final product will look anything like this, but the signs are all pointing to a cleaner design, Digital Spy said.