A fiery new rumor is making rounds, claiming that Google would ditch its Nexus line altogether in favor of Google Play Edition (GPE)devices.

The Google Nexus lineup has proved to be immensely popular, as it offers the pure stock Android experience with good hardware and an affordable price tag. Devices in the Nexus family are free of all manufacturer pre-loaded software and are the first in line to get updates whenever Google releases a new version of Android.

On the other hand, Google can afford to offer its devices unlocked at a decent price, but this may make things harder for competing Android OEMs whose devices come at steep prices.

A new shocking rumor has now emerged, claiming that Google could be dropping the Nexus lineup next year and replace it with Google Play Edition devices. The name of the GPE lineup may change by then, but the Nexus lineup would still vanish. This information comes courtesy of Eldar Murtazin, a Russian journalist who proved to be accurate on several occasions when predicting or leaking yet-to-be-announced devices or plans in the tech world.

"Nexus line by Google is over in 2015 ;) Yes - this line will be replaced by Play Edition (current name, it will be rebranded)," Murtazin tweeted late on Sunday, Jan. 26.

Google currently has several handsets in its Play Edition lineup, including the Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One smartphones, and the LG G Pad 8.3 tablet. These GPE devices are the same as their standard counterparts in terms of hardware specifications, but come with stock Android instead of the load of software that comes pre-loaded from the manufacturer.

The tipster makes no mention of the reason behind this purported decision to ditch the Nexus line. As expected, this allegation stirred plenty of waves and questions.

"Basically G will no longer develop devices but will take the best-selling Android and make a GPE (with Nexus price I hope?" asked one user. In response to this question, Murtazin was rather vague, replying only "Yes. In some way."

It remains unclear at this point what that "in some way" might mean, but it likely refers to pricing. The affordable price tag played a major role in the success of Nexus devices, and the Google Play Edition handsets that will reportedly replace the Nexus line may not be as popular if they come with steep price tags.

Either way, nothing is confirmed at this point, so it's all in the rumor state for now. As always in such cases, it is highly advisable to take everything with a grain of salt until Google makes an official announcement in this regards.