Tablet Comparison
Google Nexus 7 vs Apple iPad Air Comparison
A detailed, side-by-side comparison to help you pick the right tablet.
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Verdict
Pros & cons
Google Nexus 7
+
What's good
+
High-power NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor
+
1GB of RAM makes it easy to run most apps and even multitask
+
Affordable considering the number of high-end features it packs inside it
−
What's not
−
No expansion slot / microSD card
−
No microHDMI output
iPad Air
+
What's good
+
Fast performance
+
High-quality design
+
MIMO support
+
Beautiful display
+
Plenty of model options
−
What's not
−
Price
−
Lack of Touch ID
−
Mediocre camera
Google Nexus 7
+
Good
+
High-power NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor
+
1GB of RAM makes it easy to run most apps and even multitask
+
Affordable considering the number of high-end features it packs inside it
−
Not
−
No expansion slot / microSD card
−
No microHDMI output
iPad Air
+
Good
+
Fast performance
+
High-quality design
+
MIMO support
+
Beautiful display
+
Plenty of model options
−
Not
−
Price
−
Lack of Touch ID
−
Mediocre camera
Spec data
How they compare
Google Nexus 7
iPad Air
Price (MSRP)
—
—
OS
Android
iOS
Processor
Nvidia Tegra 3 Quad-core
Apple A7 Dual core
Camera zoom
—
—
Battery life
—
—
Wired charging
—
—
Wireless charging
—
—
Display
Color
Color
Software support
—
—
Repairability
—
—
Weight
340g (12 oz)
478g (16.9 oz)
Fingerprint
Unknown
No
Highlighted cells indicate the stronger value where a clear winner exists.
Spec data
How they compare
Google Nexus 7
iPad Air
Price (MSRP)
—
Price (MSRP)
—
OS
Android
OS
iOS
Processor
Nvidia Tegra 3 Quad-core
Processor
Apple A7 Dual core
Camera zoom
—
Camera zoom
—
Battery life
—
Battery life
—
Wired charging
—
Wired charging
—
Wireless charging
—
Wireless charging
—
Display
Color
Display
Color
Software support
—
Software support
—
Repairability
—
Repairability
—
Weight
340g (12 oz)
Weight
478g (16.9 oz)
Fingerprint
Unknown
Fingerprint
No
Highlighted cells indicate the stronger value where a clear winner exists.
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Physical comparison
Size & weight
Footprint · to scale
Google Nexus 7
0.8" × 0.5"
iPad Air
9.4" × 6.6"
Thickness · to scale
Google Nexus 7
0"
iPad Air
0.3"
Google Nexus 7
iPad Air
Height
0.8" (19.9 mm)
9.4" (239 mm)
Width
0.5" (12 mm)
6.6" (168 mm)
Depth
0" (1 mm)
0.3" (7 mm)
Weight
340g (12 oz)
478g (16.9 oz)
Screen
7"
9.7"
Height
0.8" (19.9 mm)
Height
9.4" (239 mm)
Width
0.5" (12 mm)
Width
6.6" (168 mm)
Depth
0" (1 mm)
Depth
0.3" (7 mm)
Weight
340g (12 oz)
Weight
478g (16.9 oz)
Screen
7"
Screen
9.7"
Dimensions shown in inches (mm). Silhouettes are proportionally scaled for visual comparison.
Common questions
Google Nexus 7 vs iPad Air: FAQ
Which is better, the Google Nexus 7 or iPad Air?
Based on aggregated critic reviews, the iPad Air earns a Compass Score of 9.0 compared to 8.6 for the Google Nexus 7. That 0.4-point gap reflects stronger reviews across the board, though individual priorities like camera quality, battery life, or price could tip the scales the other way. Scores aggregate dozens of expert opinions, so they are a useful starting point, not the final word.
Specifications sourced from manufacturers and third-party databases. Last updated October 2026. Suggest a correction →