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.
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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
1920x1200, 323ppi
1280x800, 215ppi
1024x768, 163ppi
1024x600, 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.
What is your favorite small form-factor tablet? Let us know in the comments.