The Nexus 7 was already a great choice for an affordable tablet. The second version of the device, announced by Google today, looks to up the already high bar its predecessor set. With the distinct advantage of being one of the first devices to ship with the newest version of Android, 4.3 Jelly Bean, the Nexus 7 (2013) looks like a great device on its own. But, how great will it look when it’s placed against stiff competition like Apple’s iPad Mini or Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 3 7.0? We put the flagship devices from top tablet makers up against one another in a spec showdown to find out who will come out on top.
iPad Mini |
Galaxy Tab 3 (7-inch) |
Nexus 7 |
|
| Size | 7.9 x 5.3 x 0.3 (in) | 7.4 x 4.37 x 0.39 (in) | 7.9 x 4.5 x 0.3 (in) |
| Weight | 11 oz | 11 oz | 11 oz |
| Screen | 7.9-inch LCD | 7-inch LCD | 7-inch LCD |
| Resolution | 1024×768 pixels | 1024×600 pixels | 1920×1200 pixels |
| OS | iOS 6 | Android 4.2 with TouchWiz UI | Android 4.3 |
| Storage | 16GB | 8GB | 16/32GB |
| SD Card Slot | No | Yes | No |
| Processor | Dual-core A5 | 1.2GHz dual-core | 1.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro |
| RAM | 512MB | 1GB | 2GB |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, 4G LTE | Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n, 4G LTE, NFC |
| Camera | Front 1.2MP, Rear 5MP | Front 1.3MP, Rear 3MP | Front 2.1MP, Rear 5MP |
| Bluetooth | Yes, version 4.0 | Yes, version 4.0 | Yes, version 4.0 |
| Battery | 4,440mAh | 4,000mAh | 4,000mAh |
| Charger | Lightning connector | Micro USB | Micro USB |
| Marketplace | Apple App Store | Google Play Store | Google Play Store |
| Price | $330+ | $200+ | $230+ |
| Availability | Verizon, AT&T, Sprint | N/A | AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon |
Google new version of the Nexus 7 is always on par or at the top of the list in almost every category here, but the spot that really differentiates it from the other devices is the price point. Starting a full $70 cheaper than the next device, the Nexus 7 (2013) is priced to undercut its competition without shorting its users on performance. The other big standout on the spec sheet that works in the favor of the Nexus 7 is the displays. Though it’s equipped with the smallest screen at 7 inches, it has the densest pixel ratio of the three devices. The Nexus 7’s 323 pixels per inch blows the iPad Mini, at 163ppi, and the Galaxy Tab 3 7.0, at 169ppi, out of the water.
As all three devices run with different processors and OSes, speed and performance may vary and you’ll want to play around with the devices to see which feels best, but none of the devices should leave you feeling underwhelmed. Many areas are quite comparable on all three tablets and preference will come into play when deciding which one to buy. But if there is one that seems to get a slight nod above the others based just on the numbers, the Nexus 7 II looks like a winner.
The Nexus 7 II will be available on July 30. You can find our full review of the iPad Mini and Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 for our full thoughts on those devices.
