It absolutely amazes every one as to how after bringing the first tablet only a year ago, Google-Asus combined is already being considered among the leaders in the tablet market lead by the likes of Apple and Samsung who have been in this business for quite some time now and who are said to be the creators of various benchmarks for tablets. The latest offering coming from the collaboration of Google-Asus is the second generation Nexus 7. It is not only better than its first generation predecessor but is also better looking and slimmer. This tablet has all the capabilities to become the new trend-setter.
Pros: Amazing IPS display, Great design, Really fast, Great Specs, Low cost
Cons: No MicroSD card slot
Nexus 7 Specs:
Display: 7.02″ 1920×1200 IPS HD Display (323 ppi) with scratch resistant Corning glass
Dimensions: 200 x 114 x 8.65mm
Weight: 290g (WiFi only), 299 g (LTE)
Processor: 1.5 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro (APQ8064-1AA)
Memory: 16 GB or 32 GB internal storage, no microSD card slot, 2 GB RAM
OS: Android 4.2 (jelly Bean)
Camera: 5.0 MP rear camera with auto focus, 1.2 MP front camera
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, LTE version coming soon, GPS
Battery: 4325 mAh Li-Ion non-removable, up to 9 h active use, wireless charging (Qi compatible)
Google Nexus 7 Review:
DISPLAY
This Nexus 7 has all the features that are supposed to be in a sequel to a popular tablet. We had the experience of having a look at the device from close quarters. The first thing that you would notice about it is the display unit. Nexus 7 tablet comes with a 7″ LED-backlit IPS LCD capacitive touch screen with a display resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels, which is the highest available in the market at the moment resulting in a pixel density of 323 ppi. This completely overshadows the Apple iPad’s 264 ppi and takes the 162ppi enabled 7.9″ iPad Mini to the cleaners. The only thing that comes close is Google Nexus 10 with a pixel density of 299ppi. You cannot ignore the clarity of colors on the display and surely this will attract users who pay a close attention to the screen of their tablets. The other tablets or the “mini” tablets that are available in the same range don’t even stand a chance against the vivid features of the screen that the Nexus 7 possesses.
AESTHETICS
Let us move onto the back cover of the device. The back of the device is aesthetically designed with the logo of the Nexus sitting beautifully in the middle against the backdrop of matte finish of the device. This makes it absolutely interesting to hold to in the hands. Having said the above; the second generation Nexus 7 offers excellent build quality that is designed to take care of moderate amount of rough usage easily. The back of the tablet is cut out of soft-feel polycarbonate while the front panel is made of a single piece of Corning’s Gorilla Glass. The tablet incorporates a unibody design that saves us from feeling that the device has been assembled by using different parts. This cannot be said for a majority of tablets that are currently available of the same or similar sizes. Even those who are more aesthetically inclined would love to flaunt it around. Google has taken care of the looks and this tablet is the best looking one available in the market – hands down.
BATTERY & CAMERA
The new Nexus 7 comes with a non-removable 3950mAh battery. It is smaller than the battery found in the Nexus of the first generation but makes up with the availability of more energy-efficient hardware. The latest Android updates including restricted profiles have been nicely incorporated in the tablet. The camera on the new Nexus 7 is of 5 MP churning out still photos of 2592 x 1944 pixels resolution but there is no flash so do not expect much from the camera in low lights. The front camera is of the industry standard 1.2 MP. However, it is still capable of producing nice results and doesn’t eat into the battery thus giving you more control over the battery life of the device. After all a tablet is meant to be used in a certain way and the Nexus 7 surely comes out on top.
CONNECTIVITY
The Nexus 7 offers Dual-band Wi-Fi support, NFC and GPS connectivity. Bluetooth v4.0 in the widest range of bands is provided for in the tablet; making it one of the best in connectivity. A micro USB port with USB host, TV-out (1080p) and wireless charging turns this device into a behemoth of connectivity that never lets you feel left out. This makes the tablet very lucrative for all those who live life on the move.
OPERATING SYSTEM
The Nexus 7 comes loaded with the latest version of Android Jelly Bean that incorporates all the features in the updated versions. With the Nexus 7, Google has shown the world that no one can match them when it comes to using Android. The hardware supports the operating system beautifully and there is virtually no time lag in whatever operation you are performing. Multi-tasking has also never been easier.
The new second generation Google Nexus 7 is a great piece of hardware with immaculate software support turning it into the meanest, fastest and the most powerful tablet available on the circuit. If you belong to the league of those gentlemen who are willing to look beyond the apple and the Samsung of the market, then this tablet is surely a must-buy for you and you will not be disappointed with your decision.
Google Nexus 7 Price:
Google Nexus 7 is an affordable tablet. 16 GB Wi-Fi version of Nexus 7 costs $229, while 32 GB Wi-Fi variant costs $269. Another 32 GB version with LTE of Nexus 7 is coming soon which will cost around $349.
So, this is everything you need to know about Google Nexus 7 (2013). If you still have any question or just want to leave your review (in case you already own it), simply use the comments box below.
Paul Lynne, Editor at ReviewMyThing, brings journalistic expertise to product reviews, offering concise insights across various categories. Passionate about empowering consumers, Paul’s analyses help readers make informed choices. Beyond work, he enjoys travel and gourmet coffee.