Google’s second-generation Nexus 7 tablet will launch “around July,” powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processors, Reuters reports. The device will reportedly push Google deeper into the “cut-price” hardware market with yet another aggressive pricing strategy, competing with other affordable tablets like the Amazon Kindle Fire.

Google is aiming to ship as many as 8 million units during the second half of the year, Reuters reports, which will be good news for those involved with the tablet’s production. Like the original Nexus 7, the new model will reportedly be built by Asus, and it’ll come with a higher resolution display, a thinner bezel, and Qualcomm chips in place of those from NVIDIA.

The switch will be a big blow to NVIDIA, which will be pushing its new Tegra 4 processor this year. But according to sources familiar with Google’s plans, Snapdragon processors have been chosen for the new Nexus 7 due to “power reasons.”

Google is said to be considering the same $199 price tag for the new Nexus 7, matching that of its predecessor, which would then be discounted, one source said. However, another believes the device could be sold for as little as $149 and that the current model will be discontinued entirely.

As most of Google’s revenue comes from online advertising, the company can afford to sell its Nexus devices at competitive prices to get more exposure for its ads. This is why devices like the Nexus 7 and the Nexus 4 are so much more affordable than other smartphones and tablets, such as the iPad mini.

Given that the current Nexus 7 launched last July, a successor one year later seems highly plausible. And by the time it launches, it’s likely to be one of the first devices running Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie.

• SourceReuters