Tablet Comparison
Apple iPad Air 2 vs Google Nexus 9 Comparison
A detailed, side-by-side comparison to help you pick the right tablet.
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Verdict
Pros & cons
iPad Air 2
+
What's good
+
Reduced weight and thickness
+
Incredibly fast performance
+
Beautiful display with vibrant colors and deep blacks
−
What's not
−
Potential issues with bending
−
16GB base model not worth the price
−
No real improvement in battery life
Google Nexus 9
+
What's good
+
Blazing performance
+
Android 5.0
+
Bright, vivid display
+
4:3 display ratio
+
Front-facing BoomSound speakers
+
Multi-user support
−
What's not
−
Bulky design
−
Weak camera
−
4:3 display ratio
−
Weak battery
−
No microSD card support
iPad Air 2
+
Good
+
Reduced weight and thickness
+
Incredibly fast performance
+
Beautiful display with vibrant colors and deep blacks
−
Not
−
Potential issues with bending
−
16GB base model not worth the price
−
No real improvement in battery life
Google Nexus 9
+
Good
+
Blazing performance
+
Android 5.0
+
Bright, vivid display
+
4:3 display ratio
+
Front-facing BoomSound speakers
+
Multi-user support
−
Not
−
Bulky design
−
Weak camera
−
4:3 display ratio
−
Weak battery
−
No microSD card support
Spec data
How they compare
iPad Air 2
Google Nexus 9
Price (MSRP)
—
—
OS
iOS
Android
Processor
Apple A8X Triple core
Nvidia Tegra K1 Quad core
Camera zoom
—
—
Battery life
—
—
Wired charging
—
—
Wireless charging
—
—
Display
Color
Color
Software support
—
—
Repairability
—
—
Weight
437g (15.4 oz)
425g (15 oz)
Fingerprint
No
No
Highlighted cells indicate the stronger value where a clear winner exists.
Spec data
How they compare
iPad Air 2
Google Nexus 9
Price (MSRP)
—
Price (MSRP)
—
OS
iOS
OS
Android
Processor
Apple A8X Triple core
Processor
Nvidia Tegra K1 Quad 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
437g (15.4 oz)
Weight
425g (15 oz)
Fingerprint
No
Fingerprint
No
Highlighted cells indicate the stronger value where a clear winner exists.
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Physical comparison
Size & weight
Footprint · to scale
iPad Air 2
9.4" × 6.6"
Google Nexus 9
9" × 6.1"
Thickness · to scale
iPad Air 2
0.2"
Google Nexus 9
0.3"
iPad Air 2
Google Nexus 9
Height
9.4" (239 mm)
9" (228 mm)
Width
6.6" (168 mm)
6.1" (154 mm)
Depth
0.2" (6 mm)
0.3" (8 mm)
Weight
437g (15.4 oz)
425g (15 oz)
Screen
9.7"
8.9"
Height
9.4" (239 mm)
Height
9" (228 mm)
Width
6.6" (168 mm)
Width
6.1" (154 mm)
Depth
0.2" (6 mm)
Depth
0.3" (8 mm)
Weight
437g (15.4 oz)
Weight
425g (15 oz)
Screen
9.7"
Screen
8.9"
Dimensions shown in inches (mm). Silhouettes are proportionally scaled for visual comparison.
Common questions
iPad Air 2 vs Google Nexus 9: FAQ
Which is better, the iPad Air 2 or Google Nexus 9?
Based on aggregated critic reviews, the iPad Air 2 earns a Compass Score of 9.0 compared to 7.9 for the Google Nexus 9. That 1.1-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 →