Before the iPhone launches, most people are talking about what the iPhone will look like and what it will feature. After the iPhone launches, people talk about what the iPhone looks like and what it features. At least, that’s how it feels. There is a lot more going on in the smartphone industry before and after, though. For example, BlackBerry just announced a new square phone. Samsung’s got a wearable with 3G connectivity. Things are happening!

But, iPhone.

Okay, but, let’s not talk about Apple’s new flagship device. Instead, let’s talk about the competition. Part of the competition. The Nexus 6, or Nexus X, or Nexus Shamu (I’d buy it just for the name, if that were the case) is coming, and a report issued last night outlines some pretty impressive features. There’s a lot to be excited about when it comes to what’s believed to be the next Nexus-branded smartphone, so I can see why some folks would want to hold out for it.

Indeed, I may not be a huge fan of the rumored screen size, but if the new Nexus smartphone is a bigger version of Motorola’s new Moto X, I’m not sure how I’m going to be able to ignore it. (Yes, there are still rumors that there will be a smaller Nexus launched around the same time, but I’ve been burned too many times by the “more than one Nexus!” fodder that gets tossed around every year.)

With a powerful processor under the hood, (hopefully) an impressive camera on the back, and a display that will be worth looking at the Nexus Shamu (I’ll continue to call it this, even after it launches with a number or letter, because Shamu) is primed to be one of the best devices launched in 2014. Which shouldn’t be too big of a surprise. The Nexus smartphone lineup has proven to be a pretty good benchmark — and not just for Android, either, even if that’s what it’s supposed to be used for.

With the report last night, I started to just cringe at the rumored, yet again, screen size of 5.9-inches. I’m not a fan of huge handsets, it’s why I skip a lot of them as my daily driver. But, realizing that I am actually considering the Nexus Shamu, way more than I even considered picking up an iPhone 6 Plus (sorry, one last time), is a lightbulb over my head that it’s not so much the size or the specs that’s won me over.

It’s the Nexus name.

It hasn’t always been perfect, but the ship has certainly been righted as of recently, and if they can continue on their path, the next Nexus smartphone will probably be another amazing handset — even if it will never reach the same high-profile, spotlight-seeking stage presence that other handsets attain (and so many others crave).

It will all come down to pricing and the official specs, but as it stands right now, I’m in agreement with my fellow editor, Anna. I’m looking forward to the next Nexus smartphone. What about you?