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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RYF - Thursday, August 22, 2013 - link
It is always important to benchmark and compare against the best-selling 7 inch tablets. What is the point of comparing N7 against the half-hearted efforts shown in the recent Galaxy Tabs?I am not a fan of iOS. But I have to state that iOS is still, by far, the easiest mobile OS to be used by the majority.
Impulses - Friday, August 23, 2013 - link
It's not even about that, I appreciate the comparison too despite wanting nothing to do with any iOS device... Apple is still a premium hardware company so the comparisons ate entirely relevant. The day their devices aren't built up to snuff or their market share falls as far as Mac share has at times then the comparisons become irrelevant.Impulses - Friday, August 23, 2013 - link
Besides, Anand can mention Apple every other paragraph and the general comparison is still more unbiased (not to mention the review more in depth) than the vast majority of sites can manage...ESC2000 - Wednesday, August 28, 2013 - link
I don't think the person complaining about Apple bias in this article is referring to the fact that the benchmarks included ipads. I think they are referring to the comments like (I'm paraphrasing) 'the new nexus is a downright Apple way to rev a product' as well as the constant comments about how aluminum is premium.People want to hear comparisons to the competition in reviews but it doesn't make sense for the review to be touting another product. No more backhanded compliments please ('a downright Apple way. ..').
lmcd - Thursday, August 22, 2013 - link
I came out of this review with "there's no way in hell to buy an iPad Mini right now and feel good about yourself."So, link me to what you just read please?
sweenish - Thursday, August 22, 2013 - link
Same.This review in no way made me think that an Apple tablet was more deserving of my money.
jeffkibuule - Thursday, August 22, 2013 - link
Considering Apple's tablets are 9 months old at this point, is there any different conclusion a reasonable person should make other than wait?ESC2000 - Wednesday, August 28, 2013 - link
I didn't wait. Whatever Apple releases I know it will cost more and probably have less than the nexus 7 2013... or maybe it will be equivalent to the nexus and cost 2x as much and charge $100 for each 16 GB increase in storage ($40 for 16 GB increase on the nexus) not to mention $150 extra for cellular.Seriously what is there to wait for?
smartypnt4 - Thursday, August 22, 2013 - link
Obvious troll is obvious.Diorarat - Wednesday, October 2, 2013 - link
No offence but I'm not catching on what you mean by biased. Well what can you compare the N7 with the other than the iPad. You have to compare it with something and the iPad is definitely the best comparison. There are great android tablets in the market but I don't think they're as familiar to the consumers as the iPad. Besides, I think Anand is being fair to praise hardware that is excellent whether apple or android.