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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justacousin - Tuesday, September 3, 2013 - link
Sorry, what I meant to ask was: So what is going to be Nexus' next steps to improving their device?harrydevlin - Monday, September 16, 2013 - link
One big difference that is often overlooked when comparing tablets is the presence or absence of a GPS. The Nexus tablets all have a GPS receiver, even in the Wi-Fi only versions. iPads do not have a GPS receiver in the Wi-Fi only versions.Some of the most compelling tablet apps require a GPS receiver. For example, using a tablet as a GPS mapping device, with stored maps, requires a GPS.
shermanx - Wednesday, October 2, 2013 - link
the battery doesn't seem right for mine. I guess either I got a defective unit or this review did it with a "tablet sheet battery". I get maybe half of what's claimed here and the battery seems to drain very fast even when I don't use the tablet (battery dies in 2-3 days if I leave it idle).sireangelus - Saturday, October 5, 2013 - link
Would you ming having an article on the nexus 7 2012 slow charging issue ??? it's frustrating. Maybe if you make a fuss something will be done about it- like warranty extension of something.SOORAJ - Wednesday, October 9, 2013 - link
when it will be launched in India? and what will be the price?lookit77 - Saturday, October 12, 2013 - link
How about a review of the LTE version of the Nexus 7 or an update to this review?Eugene88 - Saturday, October 26, 2013 - link
I'm very curious about battery change. i.e. frequent usage of tablet drained battery, so it doesn't hold even for an hour. Is it possible to change battery? Haven't found any openings on tablet.Very well written article.
WillyJ - Wednesday, November 6, 2013 - link
Sadly, my daughter has shattered her display. Does anyone know a reliable source for replacement display assemblies?ESC2000 - Thursday, January 2, 2014 - link
You know it's actually surprising to me how the nexus 7 blew the original iPad mini out of the water in every test except for one. Granted the original mini was a three months from the end of its life cycle. Apple is still selling it, though, for a super inflated price of $300, which makes it somewhat in the nexus 7's price range. The reins mini at $400 may surpass the nexus 7 but is not a good value with its low functionality:price ratio.I just remember the constant arguments with apple fans claiming the original mini was better than the nexus 7 2013, and I think the lopsided nature of these numbers shows that objectively it was not better (although in individual cases there may be some reason to purchase it over the nexus 7).
mittoo - Friday, January 10, 2014 - link
Nice review and a lot of insight on screen quality.I have on complaint though. Why is iPhone 5 included in the pixel per inch list? What, you don't like Google products on top? After praising the device so much you could let it have the top spot in that. Why randomly add a phone? And it is not like the iPhone 5 has the highest ppi either.