The Nexus 7 (2013) Review
by Anand Lal Shimpi on August 22, 2013 6:00 PM ESTFinal Words
I really like the Nexus 7. It’s easily the best small Android tablet I’ve ever used. The build quality is great, the display is amazing and the hardware is fast. The new Nexus 7 also happens to be the most color accurate Android device we've ever tested - easily competitive with the iPad's Retina Display, and delivers the longest battery life we've ever seen from an Android tablet. You also get the benefits of owning a Nexus device: timely updates and unadulterated Android. My only real complaint about the Nexus 7 is that its screen feels cramped. If you’ve got a large smartphone, the jump between it and the 7-inch display may not be big enough. On the flip side, the 7-inch form factor does make the Nexus 7 quite portable. If you’re ok with the tradeoff, then I have no qualms recommending the Nexus 7 over other 8-inch tablets.
I typically find myself at odds with what a manufacturer wants to charge for a product, but in the case of the Nexus 7 that’s not true at all. At $229 the base 16GB model is extremely well priced. The adder for the 32GB model is a somewhat reasonable $40. If your Nexus 7 is going to be more of a mobile workhorse, you’ll eventually be able to get a LTE model for $349.
The original Nexus 7 gave us a decent Android experience at a very low cost. This year ASUS and Google raised the bar for sure. The new Nexus 7 is no longer just a decent tablet at a good price, it's an incredible tablet. With this Nexus, it's clear that Google no longer wants to rely on value alone. The 2013 Nexus 7 redefines what you should expect to pay for a truly great tablet. If you're in the market for an ultra portable tablet, and definitely if you're shopping for an Android tablet in particular, the new Nexus 7 should be at the top of your list. It's so good that I'm giving it our Silver Award.
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eio - Friday, August 23, 2013 - link
After playing with the new Nexus 7, I seriously think that equip the same 7" screen with a ultra-thin border (like Optimus G2) would be the ultimate form factor of smartphones. It won't be as comfortable to carry as a 5" but the enlarged screen size are much more beneficial for a portable computing device, which what smartphones are nowadays (imo they are not "phone" anymore, everyone is looking instead of talking to them). I can carry a 7" device in my back pocket without much problem, daily.meloz - Friday, August 23, 2013 - link
I so wish this tablet had a 9-inch screen. Then it would be perfect for me. 7-inch tablets do not work for me because of text size; you cannot hold them down (at lap level when sitting in chair) with the the wrists resting on legs. You always have to raise them up like a smartphone to chest height, and that gets tiring if you are sat and reading a long document/file.I wish Asus and Google would make a 9 inch variant of this device. :(
cjs150 - Friday, August 23, 2013 - link
Do what I did. Get a Nook HD+ and root it back to standard android. Although I would also strongly recommend getting a matt screen cover because of the reflections.Works really well as an e-book reader
ShieTar - Friday, August 23, 2013 - link
I just imported myself a Cube U30GT. Its a 10", but surprisingly enough they managed to keep it to 320g, so its as comfortable to hold as most 7" tablets. I can definitely hold it comfortably with one hand while operating the screen with the other one.aniym - Friday, August 23, 2013 - link
Since when did 659g become 320g? Seriously, this spamming of Chinese tablets is getting tiresome? Do you really think that readers of Anandtech, of all sites, are going to fall for your BS?meloz - Friday, August 23, 2013 - link
ShieTar, does your "Cube U30GT" (never head of it before, strange) posses identical specs and performance as the Nexus 7?Somehow I doubt it. I am not interested in disposable Chinese junk.
ShieTar - Monday, August 26, 2013 - link
Nope, it does most certainly not have identical specs and performances. The CPU is admittedly on the slow side, and the hardware is the kind of plastic you expect from a 200$ tablet. I did not try to tell you that it is better in every aspect then the Nexus 7, I merely expected that your reason for wanting a 9" when there is already a ton of 10" devices would be weight, and I offered a comment on that topic.ASEdouardD - Saturday, August 24, 2013 - link
Yeah, it'S 670 g. Way more than 320. Also, I'd stay for away from cheap Chinese tablets for now. Tablets are computers. So many things can go wrong, I have to really trust the company I'm buying this from. I'm sure China (and hey, I don't consider Taiwan part of China) will get there soon and produce high quality tablets, but we're not there yet. Anyway all Android tablets are crap except the Nexus line anyway.ASEdouardD - Saturday, August 24, 2013 - link
To each his own. I feel 7 inch is the best size for me. I find even the iPad Mini too big to carry around a lot. The iPad 4 and the Nexus 10 are just way too big for that. They're more couch tablets then follow you everywhere tablets. I don't even realize I'm carrying around my new Nexus 7 in my man purse (it's European!) because it's so light and small.ASEdouardD - Saturday, August 24, 2013 - link
''than''. Sorry.