Google introduced an updated version of the popular Nexus 7 tablet on Wednesday, adding a higher resolution screen and better processor, while still keeping the price at an affordable $229.
When the original Nexus 7 launched last year, it was remarkable for being a small form-factor tablet with powerful specs and a low price. As Mashable Tech Editor Pete Pachal said last year, “the Nexus 7 is the Android media tablet the [original] Kindle Fire was supposed to be. A year later, dozens of companies have followed Google’s lead with the Nexus 7, including HP, Acer.
At the same time, the biggest players in the tablet ecosystem — Amazon and Apple — have stepped up their game. Amazon released a better-specced Kindle Fire HD last September and Apple belatedly entered the small tablet space with the iPad mini a month later. And Android-leader Samsung isn’t out of the small tablet space either. Earlier this month, Samsung released the third-generation of the original 7-inch tablet, the Galaxy Tab 3 7.0, now priced at just $199.
So how does the new Nexus 7 compare against the other small form-factor tablets? Quite well, especially when it comes to specs and screen resolution.
| Nexus 7 2 | Kindle Fire HD | iPad mini | Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 7.02-inches | 7-inches | 7.9-inches | 7-inches |
| Resolution and Pixel Density | 1920×1200, 323ppi | 1280×800, 215ppi | 1024×768, 163ppi | 1024×600, 169ppi |
| Processor Speed | Quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro, 1.5Ghz | Dual-core 1.2Ghz OMAP 4460 | Dual-core A5 | Dual-core 1.2Ghz |
| Battery Life | Up to 9 hours active use | 11 hours continuous use | Up to 10 hours | Up to 8 hours |
| Storage Space | 16 or 32GB | 16 or 32GB | 16, 32 or 64GB | 8GB, up to 64GB via microSD |
| Camera | 1.2MP front, 5MP rear | Front facing only | 1.2MP front, 5MP rear | 1.3MP front, 3.0MP rear |
| Price | $229 16GB, $269 32GB, $349 32GB LTE | $199 16GB, $229 32GB | WiFi: $329 16GB, $429 32GB, $529 64GB LTE$459 16GB, $559 32GB, $659 64GB | $199 8GB |
| OS | Android 4.3 Jelly Bean | Forked Version of Android 4.0.x Ice Cream Sandwich | iOS 6 (iOS 7 Coming this Fall) | Android 4.1 Jelly Bean |
| LTE Option | Yes, via Verizon, T-Mobile and AT&T | No | Yes, via AT&T, Verizon and Sprint | Not yet, 3G may be coming in some markets |
Beyond Specs
Of course, buying a tablet isn’t all about specs. Users should consider the ecosystem available to them on a particular device — especially when it comes to available media content.
The iPad mini is the leader here — not only in terms of number of tablet-specific apps, but the fact that it supports media playback from virtually every service on the market (the one exception is actually Google Play video). Amazon is a close second — only missing iTunes from the mix. For some users, that won’t matter — the selection available via Google Play is more than enough to keep them satisfied — but it’s something to consider.
At the end of the day, the Nexus 7 has re-set the bar for small form-factor tablets.
