What could be the first leaked image of the HTC-made Nexus 9 (Volantis) just leaked.

The source is @upleaks,  a Twitter user who has shared good info about HTC in the past, most recently, the Desire Eye specs and images.

The image seems to show a device made of plastic, not metal, as previously reported. According to @upleaks, the material is similar to the matte soft plastic of the LG-made Nexus 5 and the Asus Nexus 7 (2013). The vertical Nexus logo is very similar to the past Nexus devices, though the camera looks different from the Nexus 7’s distinctive design.

This could be a fake, to be sure, and there’s also a chance it’s a prototype or design concept. @upleaks’ assertion that the device is made of plastic raises some questions, as it was widely assumed until now that HTC will employ its distinctive One-like aluminum unibody design for the Nexus 9. Still, specs and designs can change quickly behind the scenes, and, this close to the rumored mid-October launch date, this image may be the real deal.

In related news, a device bearing a code number that was associated with the Nexus 9 in the past has recently passed through the FCC, suggesting that its release is iminent.

What do you think?