The HTC Nexus 9, a classic Android tablet, holds a special place in many tech enthusiasts' hearts. Now, Google's Pixel Tablet enters the scene, promising a modern experience with smart home integration. But which tablet truly delivers the best value and performance?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Google Pixel Tablet is the clear winner. Its significantly more powerful Tensor G2 chip, modern software, and smart home capabilities far surpass the aging Nexus 9. While the Nexus 9 offers a nostalgic experience, the Pixel Tablet provides a future-proof and versatile tablet experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 | N/A |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20 | N/A |
| EDGE | No | No |
| GPRS | Class 12 | No |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps - cellular model only | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | No cellular connectivity |
| | 2, 3, 5, 6, 13 - T-Mobile | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, October. Released 2014, November | 2023, May 10 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2023, June 20 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back |
| Dimensions | 228.2 x 153.7 x 8 mm (8.98 x 6.05 x 0.31 in) | 258 x 169 x 8.1 mm (10.16 x 6.65 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | No |
| Weight | 425 g (Wi-Fi) / 436 g (3G/LTE) (14.99 oz) | 493 g (1.09 lb) |
| | - | Stylus support |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 1536 x 2048 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~281 ppi density) | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~276 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.9 inches, 257.7 cm2 (~73.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.95 inches, 347.7 cm2 (~79.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 2.3 GHz Denver | Octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Nvidia Tegra K1 | Google Tensor G2 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Kepler DX1 | Mali-G710 MP7 |
| OS | Android 5.0 (Lollipop), upgradable to 7.1.1 (Nougat) | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | Yes | - |
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 16GB (Wi-Fi)/ 32GB (LTE), 2GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Phonebook | 500 entries | - |
| | - | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | HDR, panorama |
| 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 | 8 MP, AF | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, stereo sound rec. | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 1.6 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 720p | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, aptX | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS - cellular model only | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 3.2 (Gen 1), magnetic connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | WAP 2.0/xHTML | - |
| Games | Downloadable | - |
| Java | No | - |
| Messaging | SMS, MMS | - |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, compass, proximity (accessories only) |
| | - | Ultra Wideband (UWB) support |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired |
| Stand-by | Up to 720 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 9 h 30 min (multimedia) (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Po 6700 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 7020 mAh (27 Wh) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Indigo Black, Lunar White, Sand | Porcelain, Hazel, Rose |
| Models | XT2073-2 | GA06156-EU, GA06157-EU, GA06158-EU |
| Price | About 300 EUR | About 670 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Performance |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 1540Basemark X: 28244 | - |
HTC Nexus 9
- Compact and lightweight
- Relatively affordable (used)
- Stock Android experience (when it last received updates)
- Outdated chipset
- Limited software updates
- Basic camera
- Shorter battery life
- Lower resolution display
Google Pixel Tablet
- Powerful Google Tensor G2 chip
- Modern Android experience
- Excellent display
- Long battery life
- Smart home integration
- Unique charging dock
- Higher price point
- Camera is not exceptional
Display Comparison
The Pixel Tablet boasts a larger, higher-resolution display (10.95-inch, 2560 x 1600) with vibrant colors and excellent viewing angles. The Nexus 9's 9.7-inch display (2048 x 1536) is still decent, but noticeably less sharp and lacks the Pixel Tablet's brightness and modern display technology.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality is a weak point on both devices, but the Pixel Tablet likely has a slight edge due to Google's image processing. The Nexus 9's cameras are quite basic by today's standards. Expect decent photos in good lighting on both, but don't expect flagship-level results.
Performance
The Pixel Tablet's Google Tensor G2 chip is a massive upgrade. Its octa-core architecture and 5nm process provide significantly faster performance for demanding apps, gaming, and multitasking compared to the Nexus 9's dual-core Nvidia Tegra K1. Expect smoother animations and quicker load times on the Pixel Tablet.
Battery Life
The Pixel Tablet's larger battery (7000 mAh) provides significantly longer battery life than the Nexus 9 (4550 mAh). Expect all-day usage on the Pixel Tablet with moderate use, while the Nexus 9 will require more frequent charging.
Buying Guide
The HTC Nexus 9 is for Android purists seeking a budget-friendly, compact tablet for basic tasks and nostalgia. The Google Pixel Tablet is ideal for users wanting a powerful tablet with seamless Google integration, smart home control, and a modern Android experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Nexus 9 still worth buying?
Only if you're on a very tight budget and primarily need a basic tablet for light tasks. Be aware of its limitations and lack of updates.
❓ Can the Pixel Tablet be used as a smart home hub?
Yes, the Pixel Tablet's charging dock acts as a smart home hub, allowing you to control compatible devices with voice commands and routines.
❓ What Android version does the Nexus 9 currently run?
The Nexus 9 officially stopped receiving Android updates after Android 7.0 Nougat. Custom ROMs may be available, but support is limited.
❓ Does the Pixel Tablet support a stylus?
No, the Pixel Tablet does not officially support a stylus.
