The new Nexus 7 tablet by Google is already outed, and with its 1920x1200 pixels of resolution it sports the highest pixel density ever on a tablet. The 323ppi count is just north of the 320ppi mark Apple called Retina Display upon the iPhone 4 introduction, as with that density a person with perfect vision wouldn't be able to tell the individual pixels from the typical distance you look at a smartphone.
Naturally, tablets are looked at from a tad larger distance, blurring the pixels even further, so a record is a record, and the Asus-made Nexus 7 is the first tablet with that high of a pixel density, ensuring crispy clean text and image details without any jaggies. For comparison, the previous record holder, Nexus 10, sports a 300ppi count, while the iPad 4 with its Retina tablet display clocks in at 264ppi, and the best notebook/convertible representative Samsung ATIV Q reaches 276ppi with its record 4.5 million pixel count, but larger 13.3" screen.
Granted, display resolution is just one aspect of a good panel, but the new Nexus 7 seems to get the others right, too, cited with 300 nits of brightness, and 178 degree viewing angles. Now let's see what's changed from the first Google Nexus 7 edition to this year's record-holder. First, the obligatory size comparison:
New Google Nexus 7 (left) vs 2012 edition (right) size comparison
As you can see, the new Nexus 7 is much slimmer than the one of yesteryear, at only 0.3" (8mm), which is about a quarter of the thickness shaved off of the device. Not only that, but the 2013 edition is 11.2 oz (318 g), about ten percent lighter than before. It is almost as tall when held in portrait mode, but with a much slimmer side bezel, making it more comfortable to hold this way, while the top and bottom bezel is kept thicker, so you can rest your thumbs comfortably in landscape mode.
Looking at the full specs rundown below, the new Nexus 7 keeps it abreast not only in pixel density. It comes with double the RAM and internal storage amount of its predecessor, plus it sports a faster, cooler and more frugal processor design. We are including another 7" tablet around the $200 mark, just for kicks and giggles, as the Galaxy Tab 3 7-incher might cost $30 less than the new Nexus 7 tablet, but it gives so much away in pixel density, RAM, storage, and speed, that it is not even funny, and about the only advantage is the memory card slot it has.
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DESIGN
Device
Google Nexus 7 II
Google Nexus 7
Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 7"
OS
Android (4.3)
Android (4.2.2)
Android (4.1)
Dimensions
7.9 x 4.5 x 0.3 inches (201 x 114 x 8 mm)
7.81 x 4.72 x 0.41 inches (198.5 x 120 x 10.45 mm)
7.40 x 4.37 x 0.39 inches (188 x 111.1 x 9.9 mm)
Weight
11.2 oz (318 g) the average is 4.5 oz (127 g)
11.99 oz (340 g) the average is 4.5 oz (127 g)
10.79 oz (306 g) the average is 4.5 oz (127 g)
DISPLAY
Physical size
7.0 inches
7.0 inches
7.0 inches
Resolution
1920 x 1200 pixels
1280 x 800 pixels
1024 x 600 pixels
Pixel density
323 ppi
216 ppi
170ppi
Technology
IPS LCD
IPS LCD
TFT
Peak brightness
300 cd/m2 (nit)
BATTERY
Stand-by time
12.5 days (300 hours) the average is 19 days (446 h)
Video playback
9.00 hours
Capacity
4325 mAh
4000 mAh
Type
Li - Polymer
Li - Polymer
Li - Ion
HARDWARE
System chip
Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro
NVIDIA Tegra 3 T30L
Processor
Quad core, 1500 MHz
Quad core, 1200 MHz, ARM Cortex-A9
Dual core, 1200 MHz
Graphics processor
Adreno 320
ULP GeForce @ 416MHz
Yes
System memory
2048 MB RAM / DDR3
1024 MB RAM (1333 MHz) / LPDDR3
1024 MB RAM
Built-in storage
16 GB
8 GB
8 GB
Storage expansion
microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC up to 64 GB
CAMERA
Camera
5 megapixels
3 megapixels
Features
Auto focus
Camcorder
Yes
Yes
Features
Video calling
Front-facing camera
1.2 megapixels
Yes
1.3 megapixels
CONNECTIVITY
Bluetooth
Yes
3.0
3.0
Wi-Fi
Yes
802.11 a, b, g, n
802.11 a, b, g, n, n 5GHz
Mobile hotspot
Yes
Wi-Fi Direct
Yes
USB
USB 2.0
USB 2.0
USB 2.0
Connector
microUSB
microUSB
microUSB
Features
Mass storage device, USB charging
USB Host
Mass storage device, USB charging
Headphones connector
3.5mm
3.5mm
3.5mm
Charging connector
microUSB
microUSB
microUSB
In short, Google's Nexus line is getting unbeatable in the value-for-money ratio, and the new Nexus 7 tablet is the perfect example of that, as it even offers a feature no other tablet maker has matched at the moment with the record pixel density of its panel. At a $230 starting price for the 16 GB version, and $270 for the 32 GB one, the best 7" tablet is priced at a level that would make us very, very worried if we were any major tablet maker but Asus, which actually makes the Nexus 7, and will profit from the scale of its sales.
Google has the power to ship these things at or a little above cost, as its core revenue is elsewhere, and if you are in the market for a small tablet, this year's Nexus 7 is a no-brainer. It is likely to sell like lemonade in the summer, further expanding the Android crusade in the market share game, which is precisely Google's aim with the Nexus line. Are you getting one?
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Daniel, a devoted tech writer at PhoneArena since 2010, has been engrossed in mobile technology since the Windows Mobile era. His expertise spans mobile hardware, software, and carrier networks, and he's keenly interested in the future of digital health, car connectivity, and 5G. Beyond his professional pursuits, Daniel finds balance in travel, reading, and exploring new tech innovations, while contemplating the ethical and privacy implications of our digital future.
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