Makes sense, the 3ds is 5 years old now.
I have like this theory, in two cases:
Case A:
The console is an Hybrid, in this hypothetical case, they will release the Wii U Gamepad like controller itself... running games at 900p 60fps, with backward compatibility with 3DS and a full NX OS running on it. (This gamepad will do for the 3DS games what the Wii U does for DS games [Split the gamepad screen in different modes]) And it will be released this year, leaving the other part, the home console, ready for release next year, the home console will include a Pro Controller so you can use it as normal.... till this point, both consoles are individual. One handheld and one home console... but running exactly the same NX OS, and same processors architectures. Here is when they announce the hybrid part, if you have NX Gamepad, and Console... you will unlock the Hybrid option, which is, having the ability to use your home games on your gamepad to go.. and vice versa! D: (Note that home console games will be downgraded or adapted to their use on the Gamepad {gamepad will have a huge internal memory and will allow the use of SD cards up to 2TB})
Once you've connected both consoles (in fact the handheld will be just a gamepad for the Home Console when connected to this one... and of course by having the handheld you will unlock the Backwards compatibility of Wii U titles that requires a second screen, like Zombie U).
That's case one, and plus, both consoles work individually of course, but the full potential is unlocked by owning both of them
Case B:
There will be two NX consoles, NX Home and NX Handheld.
They both will run NX OS and same processor architecture, the portable console will be released this year and the home console will be released 2017, you'll have cross buy for eShop titles... but probably wont be able to play NX titles cross ways.. like if it was a hybrid.
So that's part of what i think NX will be... what do you think?