Google Nexus 7 (2013)
Verdict
Key specs
Critic consensus
“The new Nexus 7 takes what was good about the original model (a low price, stock Android, and decent build quality and specs for the price) and addresses almost all of its shortcomings. The tablet is now much faster, feels more sturdy in the hand, shouldn't suffer from particularly bad performance degradation over time, and has a gorgeous screen that can go toe-to-toe with any tablet from any manufacturer at any price point.”
“After taking the new ASUS Nexus 7 through the hoops of our review process, we are happy to tell you that the slate is almost everything we hoped it will be. As a successor to the most popular tablet in the Android kingdom, the 2013 Nexus 7 ticks just about every box on the requirements lists of upgraders and new users alike - it is compact, good-looking, well-built, and powerful.”
“Simple — you get enhancements that now make the Nexus 7 (2013) possibly one of the best tablets available. Last year’s Nexus 7 (2012) was a great first start that some say helped energize the tablet craze, and this year’s model gets closer to perfecting the form. Great power in an easily accessible package, sleek and elegant design hiding reliable and fast performance, and quite simply an experience that I think anyone can love. When a tablet has the ability to reach everyone from general user to music addict to power gamer and everything in between, I think that gives it the right to be called one of the best.”
“When you buy a small tablet, it’s because you want a small tablet. One of the Nexus 7’s biggest strengths is its narrow design. It has a 7-inch display, but in a package just under 4.5 inches wide. That makes the Nexus 7 easy enough for most people to comfortably hold for prolonged periods in one hand. I was even able to slip it into the back pocket of my jeans (although I’d never really carry it around that way). At 0.64 pounds, it’s also extremely light.”
Watch before you decide
In Depth
Around a year after the unveiling of Google’s first generation Nexus 7, Google has released the new Nexus 7 (2013).
The newest generation of Nexus 7 offers several improvements over its wildly popular predecessor all while maintaining its sub $300 price tag. One of the biggest inclusions is the 5MP rear-facing camera, which means that now users can capture interesting moments by snapping pictures or recording a video.
Aside from the camera the Nexus 7 (2013) screen is capable of displaying 323 pixels per inch, giving this tablet a much sharper resolution than even the iPad mini. Technically, the screen resolution of the Nexus 7 (2013) is 1920×1200, but this is still considered full HD. The device itself also offers a much smaller bezel for better screen real estate and is also thinner and lighter than the original. In terms of battery life, the Nexus 7 remains at the top offering around 9 hours of use when fully charged, on par with the iPad mini.
Under the hood, the Nexus 7 (2013) has some decent specs, though not necessarily groundbreaking. It comes featured with either 16 or 32GB of internal storage, 2GB of RAM, 1.5GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor and a 400MHz Adreno 320 graphics processor. The processor itself is a marked improvement over the Tegra 3 in the original Nexus and is roughly as powerful as high-end phones like the iPhone. This translates to smoother UX and zero lag even with multiple apps open.
Although an improvement over the original, this Nexus is not without its downfalls. One of its newest features for example, the rear-facing camera, is also its least impressive. The camera functions fine, but the quality of the images is fairly basic. It functions much like many other current tablets and worse than many of the more recent phone cameras. For users that don’t mind the quality of the photos and tend to take lots of pictures, they might find the internal storage lacking. Unfortunately, users cannot expand the Nexus 7 (2013) memory as it does not feature a microSD slot.
Despite a couple downfalls, this is definitely the best tablet on the market for the price range. At $230 it is slightly more expensive than the original Nexus, however the improved processor and screen more than make up for the slight price difference.
What people actually want to know
When was the Google Nexus 7 (2013) released?
The Google Nexus 7 (2013) was released on July 30, 2013.
How long does the battery last on the Google Nexus 7 (2013)?
The Google Nexus 7 (2013) has a 3,950 mAh battery.
Does the Google Nexus 7 (2013) have a headphone jack?
Yes, the Google Nexus 7 (2013) has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Does the Google Nexus 7 (2013) have NFC?
Yes, the Google Nexus 7 (2013) has NFC. You can use Google Wallet, Apple Pay, and tap-to-pair with Bluetooth accessories.
Where can I download the Google Nexus 7 (2013) manual?
You can view and download the Google Nexus 7 (2013) manual on our dedicated manual page.
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