The Nexus line has always been synonymous with accessible Android experiences. Today, we're pitting two older but still relevant tablets against each other: the Asus Nexus 7 (2013) and the HTC Nexus 9. Which one offers the best blend of performance, features, and value in today's market?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The HTC Nexus 9 edges out the Nexus 7 (2013) thanks to its more powerful processor and slightly better display. However, the Nexus 7's wireless charging and compact size remain appealing. Ultimately, the Nexus 9 provides a more modern and capable experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 20 - EU | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20 |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | Class 12 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 13, 17 - North America | 2, 3, 5, 6, 13 - T-Mobile |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013, July. Released 2013, July | 2014, October. Released 2014, November |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 200 x 114 x 8.7 mm (7.87 x 4.49 x 0.34 in) | 228.2 x 153.7 x 8 mm (8.98 x 6.05 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 290 g (Wi-Fi), 299 g (LTE) (10.55 oz) | 425 g (Wi-Fi) / 436 g (3G/LTE) (14.99 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~323 ppi density) | 1536 x 2048 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~281 ppi density) |
| Size | 7.0 inches, 142.1 cm2 (~62.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.9 inches, 257.7 cm2 (~73.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LED-backlit IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.5 GHz Krait | Dual-core 2.3 GHz Denver |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro | Nvidia Tegra K1 |
| GPU | Adreno 320 | Kepler DX1 |
| OS | Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 6.0 (Marshmallow) | Android 5.0 (Lollipop), upgradable to 7.1.1 (Nougat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | - | Yes |
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM | 16GB (Wi-Fi)/ 32GB (LTE), 2GB RAM |
| Phonebook | - | 500 entries |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP, f/2.2, (macro)
2 MP, f/2.2, (depth) |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.4, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, stereo sound rec. |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 1.2 MP | 1.6 MP |
| Video | - | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, LE | 4.1, A2DP, aptX |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 (SlimPort) | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | - | WAP 2.0/xHTML |
| Games | - | Downloadable |
| Java | - | No |
| Messaging | - | SMS, MMS |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wireless (Qi) | 10W wired |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 720 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 9 h (multimedia) | Up to 9 h 30 min (multimedia) (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 3950 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 6700 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Indigo Black, Lunar White, Sand |
| Models | - | XT2073-2 |
| Price | About 230 EUR | About 300 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -92.2dB / Crosstalk -92.3dB | - |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Performance | - |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 1540Basemark X: 28244 |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | Noise -92.2dB / Crosstalk -92.3dB | - |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Performance | - | Basemark OS II 2.0: 1540Basemark X: 28244 |
Asus Google Nexus 7 (2013)
- Compact and Portable
- Wireless Charging (Qi)
- Affordable
- Decent Display for its Size
- Outdated Processor
- Lower Resolution Display
- Basic Camera
- Limited Storage Options
HTC Nexus 9
- More Powerful Processor
- Higher Resolution Display
- Slightly Better Camera
- Larger Battery
- Wired Charging Only
- Larger Size (Less Portable)
- Can Still Feel Dated
- Limited Storage Options
Display Comparison
The Nexus 9 boasts a 9-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 2048 x 1472, offering a sharper image than the Nexus 7's 7-inch IPS LCD (1280 x 800). While both displays are decent, the Nexus 9's larger size and higher resolution provide a more immersive viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Both tablets feature basic photo and video capabilities. Image quality is adequate for casual snapshots, but neither tablet excels in this area. The Nexus 9's camera is marginally better, but don't expect flagship-level performance.
Performance
The HTC Nexus 9's dual-core 2.3 GHz Denver CPU paired with an Nvidia Tegra K1 chipset significantly outperforms the Nexus 7's quad-core 1.5 GHz Krait processor and Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro. Expect smoother multitasking and better performance in demanding apps on the Nexus 9.
Battery Life
The Nexus 9 has a larger battery (4500 mAh) compared to the Nexus 7 (3950 mAh). While real-world battery life depends on usage, the Nexus 9 generally offers slightly longer battery life, especially under heavier workloads.
Buying Guide
The Asus Nexus 7 (2013) is ideal for budget-conscious users who prioritize portability and wireless charging for basic tasks like browsing and media consumption. The HTC Nexus 9 is a better choice for those needing more processing power for multitasking, gaming, or slightly more demanding applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Nexus 7 (2013) still worth buying?
If you're on a tight budget and need a small, portable tablet for basic tasks, the Nexus 7 (2013) can still be a viable option. However, be aware of its limitations in performance and features.
❓ Which Nexus tablet has better gaming performance?
The HTC Nexus 9 is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful processor and GPU. The Nexus 7 (2013) will struggle with more demanding games.
