The new Nexus 7 has become thinner, faster and sharper than the previous generation, along with a new camera, LED notification indicator and many other small corrections and attractive changes. The new tablet outperforms its old version in many ways, and I can prove it in my test.
Rating
pros
- elegant one-piece design
- brilliant display
- battery performance
- Price-quality ratio
Cons
- no microSD slot
Google Nexus 7 (2013) design and build quality
If you line up both Google devices next to each other, it will immediately become obvious that the new Nexus 7 is thinner than its predecessor, which came out a little over a year ago (8,7 mm versus 10,45 mm). The new tablet looks smarter, more elegant and more modern, which is mainly due to the fact that Google completely redesigned the back side. Now it looks smooth with a shiny finish and is made of high quality plastic, which makes it quite “stylish” for everyday wear.
The manufacturer freed this year's Nexus 7 from useless frills and trinkets: the glass panel on the front is no longer surrounded by a shiny silver frame, but flows smoothly into a plastic case. The speaker on the rear panel is now directly integrated into the case, it produces a louder and clearer sound than its predecessor, and does not distort so quickly.
I believe this is a significant design upgrade, and this is good news because the textured back of the old Nexus always reminded me of the dashboard in an 80s car or even an old handbag that should not be taken with you. as a compliment.
It is also worth noting a slight change implemented in the aspect ratio (114 x 200 mm (new) instead of 120 x 198,5 mm) and weight (292 g (new) instead of 340 g). The Nexus 7 can easily be classified as one of the lightest 7-inch tablets on the market. By comparison, Apple's iPad Mini weighs 309 grams.
Display Google Nexus 7 (2013)
In addition to the improved design, there are other good reasons to buy a newer version instead of an "older" one. First, it can be seen from the technical data, where Google has moved forward by leaps and bounds. The manufacturer has increased the resolution of the 7-inch screen to 1920 × 1200 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of 323 ppi. When you turn on the device, this exciting improvement appears immediately; the sharpening is really extraordinary. Moreover, the new Nexus 7 is much brighter than the old version.
I'm not the only one who was amazed, some of my colleagues were very impressed when they first saw the display. When playing videos on YouTube, image quality was also phenomenal.
Google Nexus 7 Software (2013)
Obviously, the new tablet runs on the latest version of Android 4.3, which gives a lot of small but pleasant improvements, such as the new graphic standard OpenGL ES 3.0 and the energy-saving standard Bluetooth, “Bluetooth Smart”. , We have provided you with a complete list of new features introduced in Android 4.3.
However, none of these functions applies only to the Nexus 7 and is available on other devices with the necessary hardware. To be clear, the old Nexus 7 will also support all the features of Android 4.3, with the exception of a few exceptions, such as virtual surround sound, which requires stereo speakers.
Google Nexus 7 Performance (2013)
In terms of performance, the predecessor system did not react as smoothly as the beginner, because the latter activated its game with a much more powerful engine: Google decided to no longer rely on the Nvidia Tegra model. Instead, in 2013, the Nexus 7 launches Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro (APQ8064), which is actually just a renamed Snapdragon 600 with a speed limit. The quad-core processor operates at a frequency of 1,5 GHz and has access to 2 GB of RAM.
The improvement and difference in power provided by this CPU can really be felt by playing graphically demanding games such as Dead Trigger. In a direct comparison between old and new devices, the new child on the block was 5-10 seconds faster and more smoothly scrolled. Another additional attribute is the increase in memory, which really had a positive effect. Despite the fact that the old Nexus 7 after “heavy use” is quite “behind”, its successor continued to remain stable, creating a pleasant and smooth feeling at all times. Nexus 2012 owners who are considering buying the next version should be aware that Tegra-only (THD) apps and games will no longer work due to a different processor.
Google Nexus 7 Camera (2013)
A key novelty on the 2013 model is the camera on the back, which takes pictures with a resolution of 5 megapixels. Our still life fruit basket was presented in neutral colors, healthy contrast and a good level of sharpness. Even an image with a color scale gave promising results. Some of the drawbacks that we were able to notice here were poor color saturation, as well as a weak light sensor, which quickly made images noisier in low light conditions.
The front side is equipped with a 1,2 megapixel camera, like almost all front cameras on mobile devices. They struggle with a lack of focus and very low contrast. In general, cameras on the Nexus 7 are adequate, but nothing more. A few other photos we took can be found on my Google+ profile.
Google Nexus 7 Battery (2013)
Although Google has reduced battery performance from 4 to 325 mAh, the second-generation Nexus 3 is capable of providing impressive endurance. At least, this is consistent with the results that were presented by many tests conducted in American and German technical journals, such as, for example, the Golem. According to this mentioned online magazine, when using WiFi, the tablet can easily survive one and a half days of heavy use. I'm still trying to make my own opinion, so this test should be updated in a few days.
Technical specifications Google Nexus 7 (2013)
| Dimensions: | 200x114x8,65 mm |
|---|---|
| The weight: | 290 g 299 g |
| Battery size: | 3950 mAh |
| Screen size: | 7 in |
| Display technology: | LCD |
| Screen: | 1920 × 1200 pixels (242 ppi) |
| Front-camera: | 1,2 megapixels |
| Rear camera: | 5 megapixel |
| Android version: | 4.4.2 - KitKat |
| RAM: | 2 GB |
| Inner memory: | 16 GB 32 GB |
| Chipset: | Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro |
| Number of Cores: | 4 |
| Max. clock frequency: | 1,5 GHz |
| Communication: | NFC,Bluetooth 4.0 HSPA, LTE, NFC, Bluetooth 4.0 |
Considering the specifications, the prices are reasonable: a 32 GB model costs $ 229 (WiFi) or $ 349 (WiFi / LTE / HSPA +). A more expensive option costs $ 50 more than the comparable 2012 model, and I think this is more than appropriate. I advise everyone who is faced with a choice to go with a new model; Your money will be well spent.
The 7 Nexus 2013 is available in BestBuy, Gamestop, Walmart, Staples, Office Max, Office Depot, and Amazon, just to name a few. What's more, T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon will be offering the LTE model in a few weeks. However, the new Nexus 7 with LTE from Verizon will not support CDMA.
The final verdict
My verdict is clear: Nexus 7 is the new beacon in Google’s portfolio, just like Apple with its iPad. There is no other 7-inch tablet in the Android ecosystem that could compete with this new “next generation” device, as we saw in the first generation Nexus 7.
Thanks to its impressive display, great design and long battery life, our conclusion can be summarized as follows: those who want a tablet in the 7-inch range will now feel compelled to buy either the iPad Mini or the new Nexus 7. I would even say that 7 Nexus 2012 owners should definitely take this new updated version into account, as Google’s achievements in the new device are undeniable.
