Rumors of Google’s Nexus tablet line have been swirling for a few weeks now, with only a few details about future devices leaking out. HTC is said to be the next partner Google has for the Nexus line, with the manufacturer developing the next Nexus 10 tablet. For its smaller Nexus tablets, however, it seems that Google is sticking with Asus.

A new DigiTimes report today holds that Asus will again be the manufacturer behind the latest Nexus 7 – only this time it won’t feature a seven-inch screen. The report cites unnamed “Taiwan-based supply chain makers” as saying the next Google Nexus tablet will sport an eight-inch display and that the company is “very likely” to stick with Asus as a brand partner. Previous rumors had named LG as the manufacturer of an eight-inch Nexus tablet.

According to DigiTimes’ sources, the change was made to avoid the current race-to-the-bottom price competition occurring in the seven-inch tablet segment. The size increase could also help separate the new Nexus tablet from larger smartphones, which some market watchers believe could begin cutting into the market for smaller tablets.

This new Nexus device is reportedly coming at the end of April. The initial shipment for the tablets, according to the DigiTimes report, will be two million units. The previous version of the Nexus 7, which launched last year, sold fewer than three million units.

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