The Google Nexus 9 Review
by Joshua Ho & Ryan Smith on February 4, 2015 8:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Tablets
- HTC
- Project Denver
- Android
- Mobile
- NVIDIA
- Nexus 9
- Lollipop
- Android 5.0
WiFi Performance
On most tablets, WiFi performance is perhaps one of the most crucial parts of the experience as WiFi is often the primary method of connectivity. Without working WiFi, a tablet is basically useless as the only alternative is either cellular (which is quite rare on most tablets) or Ethernet over USB-OTG, which destroys most of the value of a mobile device.
In the case of the Nexus 9, we see that HTC has fitted this device with a BCM4354 WiFi module to enable two spatial stream 802.11ac. Interestingly, there is some evidence to suggest that HTC has also adopted Cypress Semiconductor’s CapSense controller to enable antenna tuning for the WiFi antennas. However, it’s probable that this solution is only for HTC devices without a Qualcomm Gobi modem as we’ve seen the use of the QFE15xx antenna tuner in previous HTC products. In order to test how the Nexus 9’s WiFi solution performs, we turn to iperf on Android to test throughput across the network, and utilize Asus’ RT-AC68U router to ensure that the device under test will be able to reach maximum performance.
The Nexus 9's WiFi solution performs about as well as one might expect from a BCM4354 solution. For the most part I haven't noticed any reception issues, even when touching/detuning the WiFi antennas.
GNSS
While most of the GNSS solutions that we’ve looked at this year use Qualcomm’s GPSOne/IZat due to the presence of a Qualcomm Gobi Modem, the same isn’t true for the Nexus 9. Instead, Broadcom’s BCM4752 is used here. While this shouldn’t have a massive impact on the speed with which first lock is acquired, in practice Qualcomm’s solution is noticeably faster here as the modem can often provide data to make for a hot fix. At any rate, the Nexus 9 does perform acceptably in this regard. I don’t see any major issues with location performance, although it does seem that the GPS tends to report lower accuracy levels than the Qualcomm solutions that I'm used to. Other than this, the GNSS solution is quite usable.
Misc
While we don't have a proper audio quality test yet, it's clear that the audio codec used is the same Realtek RT5677 codec that we saw in the SHIELD Tablet. Outside of the code, we also see an RT5506 2.55V amp on the 3.5mm jack, along with two NXP TFA9895 amps on the speakers, which are quite good due to their front-facing placement. In practice I don't really see much issue with loudness or quality here, as the speakers can get even louder than the M8 in some situations. We also see a Broadcom BCM2079x NFC chip, which means HCE is fully supported out of the box. Interestingly, the VCM controller is exposed to the OS and is said to be a Texas Instruments DRV201 chip.
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coburn_c - Wednesday, February 4, 2015 - link
High end my rear end. HTC has made high end tablets, HTC makes high end devices, Google makes high end companies make garbage. Seriously. Google devices are done.rpmrush - Wednesday, February 4, 2015 - link
On the cover page it has a tag in the top right saying, "HTX Nexus #2". Should be HTC?cknobman - Wednesday, February 4, 2015 - link
So regardless of how nice the hardware it Android (and more importantly most of its apps) still have major issues when it comes to tablets.Why waste time buying this stuff when you can get a Windows 8 tablet?
I get the best of both tablet and PC worlds in one device without being held hostage by lord overseer Apple dictating my every move or Androids crappy support and busted app ecosystem.
milkod2001 - Wednesday, February 4, 2015 - link
@cknobmanthere's no Windows 8 tablet out there for the same price,with same quality screen and snappiness as this one or Apple tablets. The closest would be Surface3 but it's much more expensive.
If you happen to know about any please post some links please.
rkhighlight - Wednesday, February 4, 2015 - link
Because a Windows 8 tablet is worse than a tablet when it comes to tablet user experience and worse than a notebook when it comes to notebook experience. Most people like to have two separate devices rather than owning a product that tries to combine everything. For some people this works but the majority prefers two product.milkod2001 - Wednesday, February 4, 2015 - link
not necessarily if done right. Lenovo Yoga comes probably the closest with its hybrid(tablet +notebook). It need to be much cheaper if it wants to be acquired by majority though.melgross - Wednesday, February 4, 2015 - link
The Yoga got terrible reviews everywhere. It's hardly recommended.Midwayman - Wednesday, February 4, 2015 - link
I don't think that's true at all. Most people would probably prefer to only pay for one device. The issue is one more of execution than concept. If the surface pro 3 were as light, thin, and as good on battery as high end tablets I certainly would have bought one. At a premium even.Impulses - Wednesday, February 4, 2015 - link
It that were true MS wouldn't be able to keep Surface on the shelves and the market for x86 Atom hybrids at <$500 would be comprised of more than a handful of OEM & models...I think for a certain class of individuals it makes all the sense in the world; students, business travelers, etc. For most people however it's just a compromise on both form factors and not really much of a money saver (specially when you factor the upgrade cycle into the equation).
steven75 - Thursday, February 5, 2015 - link
I have a Windows 8.1 tablet (not RT). It's the worst tablet interface I've used yet. A total bomb. And the touch apps and selection are universally awful.If it didn't have "classic" Windows desktop, I'd have sent it back to the store.