Released a year apart, the Asus Google Nexus 7 (2012) and Acer Iconia A1-830 represent different approaches to the affordable Android tablet market. The Nexus 7 aimed for a premium experience at a mid-range price, leveraging Nvidia's Tegra 3, while the Iconia A1-830 focused on delivering a functional tablet powered by Intel's Atom Z2560. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which tablet holds up better today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw performance and a slightly superior display, the Asus Nexus 7 remains the better choice, despite its age. The Tegra 3's quad-core Cortex-A9 architecture offers a noticeable advantage over the Iconia A1-830's dual-core Atom Z2560, making it more responsive for demanding tasks. However, the Iconia A1-830 offers a more modern processor architecture.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | N/A |
| EDGE | No | No |
| GPRS | No | No |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2012, June. Released 2012, July | 2014, January. Released 2014, March |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 198.5 x 120 x 10.5 mm (7.81 x 4.72 x 0.41 in) | 203 x 138.4 x 8.2 mm (7.99 x 5.45 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | No | No |
| Weight | 340 g (11.99 oz) | 380 g (13.40 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | - |
| Resolution | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~216 ppi density) | 768 x 1024 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~162 ppi density) |
| Size | 7.0 inches, 142.1 cm2 (~59.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 7.9 inches, 193.3 cm2 (~68.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LED-backlit IPS LCD | LED-backlit IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A9 | Dual-core 1.6 GHz |
| Chipset | Nvidia Tegra 3 | Intel Atom Z2560 |
| GPU | ULP GeForce | PowerVR SGX544MP2 |
| OS | Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 5.1.1 (Lollipop) | Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 1GB RAM, 16GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 1GB RAM | 16GB 1GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 1.2 MP | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Talk time | Up to 10 h (multimedia) | Up to 7 h 30 min (multimedia) |
| Type | Non-removable Li-Ion 4325 mAh battery (16 Wh) | Li-Ion 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | White |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 130 EUR |
| SAR EU | 1.39 W/kg (body) | - |
Asus Google Nexus 7
- Superior CPU performance due to quad-core Tegra 3.
- Higher display contrast ratio for better image quality.
- Stronger brand reputation and software support at launch.
- Older device with limited software updates.
- Battery life may be shorter with heavy usage.
Acer Iconia A1-830
- More modern Intel Atom processor architecture.
- Potentially better power efficiency at low loads.
- May have slightly longer software support lifespan.
- Lower CPU performance compared to the Tegra 3.
- Likely inferior display quality.
- Less refined user experience compared to the Nexus line.
Display Comparison
The Asus Nexus 7 boasts a contrast ratio of 908:1, indicating good black levels and vibrant colors for its time. While the Iconia A1-830's display specifications are not provided, it's reasonable to assume it falls behind the Nexus 7 in contrast. The Nexus 7's display was lauded for its clarity and viewing angles, crucial for media consumption. Given the Nexus 7's focus on content consumption, the higher contrast ratio translates to a more immersive viewing experience. The Iconia A1-830 likely prioritizes cost savings over display quality.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet was known for its camera prowess. Given the context data lacks camera specifications for both devices, a detailed comparison is impossible. However, based on the market segment, both likely feature basic cameras suitable for casual snapshots, but not for serious photography. The focus was clearly on other aspects of the user experience.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: Nvidia Tegra 3 in the Nexus 7 versus Intel Atom Z2560 in the Iconia A1-830. The Tegra 3 features a quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A9 CPU, while the Atom Z2560 has a dual-core 1.6 GHz CPU. Despite the higher clock speed, the Atom Z2560's dual-core architecture is less efficient for multi-threaded tasks compared to the Tegra 3's quad-core setup. The Tegra 3 also included a fifth core dedicated to low-power tasks, potentially extending battery life during less demanding operations. The Nexus 7 will likely outperform the Iconia A1-830 in graphically intensive applications and multitasking.
Battery Life
Battery life is difficult to compare without specific mAh ratings or real-world testing data. The Tegra 3's fifth low-power core could offer an advantage in standby time. However, the Atom Z2560's architecture is generally more power-efficient at lower loads. The actual battery performance would depend heavily on usage patterns and software optimization. Both tablets are likely to offer around 6-8 hours of mixed usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Asus Google Nexus 7 if you need a tablet that still feels relatively snappy for basic tasks like web browsing, reading, and light gaming, and value a slightly better display experience. Buy the Acer Iconia A1-830 if you prefer a tablet with a more modern Intel Atom processor, potentially benefiting from better software support (though this is limited given both devices' age) and are willing to trade some performance for that.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Asus Nexus 7 still receive Android updates?
Officially, no. The Nexus 7 (2012) reached its end-of-life for official Android updates several years ago. However, the active Android developer community has created custom ROMs that allow you to install newer versions of Android, but this requires technical expertise and voids any remaining warranty.
❓ Is the Intel Atom Z2560 in the Iconia A1-830 powerful enough for modern apps?
The Intel Atom Z2560 is a relatively weak processor by today's standards. While it can handle basic tasks like web browsing and email, it will struggle with demanding apps and games. Expect noticeable lag and slowdowns when running modern applications.
❓ Which tablet is better for reading ebooks?
Both tablets are suitable for reading ebooks, but the Nexus 7's slightly higher display contrast ratio may provide a more comfortable reading experience, especially in low-light conditions. The screen size is comparable on both devices.
