Nexus 7 vs iPad Air: What's worth your money?

Take a look at 10 cool comparisons before making a choice.

Great news for all the Apple enthusiasts, the newly launched Apple iPad Air will finally hit the shelves soon. It is said to be one of the best tablets in the world: thinner, lighter, styled with space gray. The tablet will come with some pre-loaded free apps. The highlight of the tablet is the 64 bit processor which claims to be ‘8 times faster’ than the previous generation chip. On other hand we have the latest tablet from Google -- the Nexus 7. The tablet claims to be the world’s sharpest 7-inch tablet-screen putting over 2.3 million pixels in your palm and having a resolution of 323 ppi.

Let us find out what these two notables have to offer consumers:

Display

Nexus 7: The Nexus 7 sports 7.02-inch screen with a resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels and 323 ppi. The tablet claims to have images sharper than ever. Users will enjoy reading the tablet as words will be as good and as sharp as a printed page. 

Hitesh Motwani is a digital media enthusiast, gadget freak and Steve Jobs worshipper. Reach out to him at @wisdomsingh.

Click here for all our gadget features

Reader Invite

Are you a gadget/gaming wizard/afficianado? Would you like to write on gadgets, gaming, the Internet, software technologies, OSs and the works for us? Send us a sample of your writing to gadgetsandgaming@rediffmail.com with the subject as 'I'm a tech wizard/afficianado' and we will get in touch with you.

iPad Air: This latest tablet from Apple comes with 9.7-inch display with 2048 x 1536 screen resolution that offers 264 ppi. Users will definitely enjoy their favourite games, watch movies and enjoy reading on the wide screen. The response of the touch screen is smooth as butter

Our take: Nexus takes the cake in terms of display, however if users want to really experience gaming and larger resolution, the iPad air is the way to go.

Click here for all our gadget features

Reader Invite

Are you a gadget/gaming wizard/afficianado? Would you like to write on gadgets, gaming, the Internet, software technologies, OSs and the works for us? Send us a sample of your writing to gadgetsandgaming@rediffmail.com with the subject as 'I'm a tech wizard/afficianado' and we will get in touch with you.

Looks

Nexus 7: Soft plastic touch

Click here for all our gadget features

Reader Invite

Are you a gadget/gaming wizard/afficianado? Would you like to write on gadgets, gaming, the Internet, software technologies, OSs and the works for us? Send us a sample of your writing to gadgetsandgaming@rediffmail.com with the subject as 'I'm a tech wizard/afficianado' and we will get in touch with you.

iPad Air: Premium look with a sleek trendy design. It constitutes an aluminum body similar to all Apple products.

Our take: If you’re looking for class, iPad Air is for you

Click here for all our gadget features

Reader Invite

Are you a gadget/gaming wizard/afficianado? Would you like to write on gadgets, gaming, the Internet, software technologies, OSs and the works for us? Send us a sample of your writing to gadgetsandgaming@rediffmail.com with the subject as 'I'm a tech wizard/afficianado' and we will get in touch with you.

Processor

Nexus 7: A beast when it comes to memory and ultimate gaming experience, the tablet comes with a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor with 2GB of RAM. This will enable it function at a faster pace than its predecessors. 

Click here for all our gadget features

Reader Invite

Are you a gadget/gaming wizard/afficianado? Would you like to write on gadgets, gaming, the Internet, software technologies, OSs and the works for us? Send us a sample of your writing to gadgetsandgaming@rediffmail.com with the subject as 'I'm a tech wizard/afficianado' and we will get in touch with you.

iPad Air: A 64-bit A7 processor with the new iOS 7enables the tablet to perform twice as fast and can boast of a battery life equivalent to its predecessor.

Our take: The high-performance rendering in the Nexus 7 ensures that 3D graphics, games, applications, etc. give the user a smooth and dynamic experience. The only drawback of the iPad Air is that it comes with 1 GB of RAM. This means if you are opening too many apps at the same time you may experience a bit of slowdown in your device.

Click here for all our gadget features

Reader Invite

Are you a gadget/gaming wizard/afficianado? Would you like to write on gadgets, gaming, the Internet, software technologies, OSs and the works for us? Send us a sample of your writing to gadgetsandgaming@rediffmail.com with the subject as 'I'm a tech wizard/afficianado' and we will get in touch with you.

Size

Nexus 7: Dimensions: 200 mm x 114 mm x 8.65 mm, it weighs: 340 g. Comfort and size are the key factors in the Nexus 7. Also, users have a firm grip over their tablet due to the compact size.

Click here for all our gadget features

Reader Invite

Are you a gadget/gaming wizard/afficianado? Would you like to write on gadgets, gaming, the Internet, software technologies, OSs and the works for us? Send us a sample of your writing to gadgetsandgaming@rediffmail.com with the subject as 'I'm a tech wizard/afficianado' and we will get in touch with you.

iPad Air: Dimensions: 240 mm x 165.5 mm x 7.5mm, it weighs: 469 g. The device is thinner and lighter compared to its predecessor but you won’t be able to handle device single handedly.

Our take: Compared to the Nexus 7, the iPad Air is 1 mm thinner and weighs marginally more which is not a major difference.

With respect to experiencing movies, games, reading documents etc., the iPad Air takes the cake. The iPad Air is different in a way it provides big performance upgrades over its predecessors in a much sleeker package.

Click here for all our gadget features

Reader Invite

Are you a gadget/gaming wizard/afficianado? Would you like to write on gadgets, gaming, the Internet, software technologies, OSs and the works for us? Send us a sample of your writing to gadgetsandgaming@rediffmail.com with the subject as 'I'm a tech wizard/afficianado' and we will get in touch with you.

Battery

Nexus 7: Has a 3950mAh battery and can last for more than 9 hours. 

Click here for all our gadget features

Reader Invite

Are you a gadget/gaming wizard/afficianado? Would you like to write on gadgets, gaming, the Internet, software technologies, OSs and the works for us? Send us a sample of your writing to gadgetsandgaming@rediffmail.com with the subject as 'I'm a tech wizard/afficianado' and we will get in touch with you.

iPad Air: Accompanied with a built-in 32.4-watt-hour rechargeable lithium-polymer battery and can last for 10 hours.

Our take: Very similar battery life in both tablets.

Click here for all our gadget features

Reader Invite

Are you a gadget/gaming wizard/afficianado? Would you like to write on gadgets, gaming, the Internet, software technologies, OSs and the works for us? Send us a sample of your writing to gadgetsandgaming@rediffmail.com with the subject as 'I'm a tech wizard/afficianado' and we will get in touch with you.

Storage

Nexus 7:Only available with 16GB and 32GB storage capacity with no expansion options.

Click here for all our gadget features

Reader Invite

Are you a gadget/gaming wizard/afficianado? Would you like to write on gadgets, gaming, the Internet, software technologies, OSs and the works for us? Send us a sample of your writing to gadgetsandgaming@rediffmail.com with the subject as 'I'm a tech wizard/afficianado' and we will get in touch with you.

iPadAir: Available in 16GB, 32GB, 64GB and 128GB storage capacity with no expansion options.

Our take: iPad Air is the clear winner hands down with respect to storage capacity. We are not sure how many users will opt for the 128 GB storage capacity. Only time will tell, so we have to wait and watch.

Click here for all our gadget features

Reader Invite

Are you a gadget/gaming wizard/afficianado? Would you like to write on gadgets, gaming, the Internet, software technologies, OSs and the works for us? Send us a sample of your writing to gadgetsandgaming@rediffmail.com with the subject as 'I'm a tech wizard/afficianado' and we will get in touch with you.

Price

Nexus 7: 16 GB with Wi-Fi only is priced at $229. The 32 GB with Wi-Fi option costs $269.

Click here for all our gadget features

Reader Invite

Are you a gadget/gaming wizard/afficianado? Would you like to write on gadgets, gaming, the Internet, software technologies, OSs and the works for us? Send us a sample of your writing to gadgetsandgaming@rediffmail.com with the subject as 'I'm a tech wizard/afficianado' and we will get in touch with you.

iPad Air: 16 GB with Wi-Fi only costs ~ $499, 32 GB costs $599, 64 GB costs $699 and 128 GB costs $799. Wi-Fi plus cellular for 16 GB costs $ 629.

Our take: Nexus 7 wins as it is not as expensive as the iPad Air.

Click here for all our gadget features

Reader Invite

Are you a gadget/gaming wizard/afficianado? Would you like to write on gadgets, gaming, the Internet, software technologies, OSs and the works for us? Send us a sample of your writing to gadgetsandgaming@rediffmail.com with the subject as 'I'm a tech wizard/afficianado' and we will get in touch with you.

Ease of use

Nexus 7: 7-inch display weighing only about 300 grams (LTE variant) is very comfortable while using it for long hours. Users will be in awe with never before experienced multimedia options. Another positive aspect is that users can carry the phone in their top or back pockets with ease.

Click here for all our gadget features

Reader Invite

Are you a gadget/gaming wizard/afficianado? Would you like to write on gadgets, gaming, the Internet, software technologies, OSs and the works for us? Send us a sample of your writing to gadgetsandgaming@rediffmail.com with the subject as 'I'm a tech wizard/afficianado' and we will get in touch with you.

iPad Air: Larger display than the Nexus 7 measuring in at 9.7-inch weighing around 1 pound (469 grams).You cannot hold this tablet with one hand and neither will it fit in any of your pockets.

Our take: Unlike the Nexus 7, the iPad Air will not fit into your breast pocket of jacket. However it is very comfortable when you are using it on the move. Also the iPad Air takes an edge over here due to its large display as it gives more space and wide screen to work with.

This doesn’t mean the 7-inch screen of Nexus 7 is bad. It’s just that larger displays provide you with a richer experience.

Click here for all our gadget features

Reader Invite

Are you a gadget/gaming wizard/afficianado? Would you like to write on gadgets, gaming, the Internet, software technologies, OSs and the works for us? Send us a sample of your writing to gadgetsandgaming@rediffmail.com with the subject as 'I'm a tech wizard/afficianado' and we will get in touch with you.

Operating system

Nexus 7: Android OS, v 4.2 (jelly bean). You would have to wait till you receive updates from the manufacturer for the latest Android Kit Kat (Read: 10 reasons why Android 4.4 KitKat ROCKS!).

Click here for all our gadget features

Reader Invite

Are you a gadget/gaming wizard/afficianado? Would you like to write on gadgets, gaming, the Internet, software technologies, OSs and the works for us? Send us a sample of your writing to gadgetsandgaming@rediffmail.com with the subject as 'I'm a tech wizard/afficianado' and we will get in touch with you.

iPad Air: iOS7 . In both the cases the advantage is that you would receive updates directly from the manufacturer.

Our take: We like both with their respective pros and cons.

Click here for all our gadget features

Reader Invite

Are you a gadget/gaming wizard/afficianado? Would you like to write on gadgets, gaming, the Internet, software technologies, OSs and the works for us? Send us a sample of your writing to gadgetsandgaming@rediffmail.com with the subject as 'I'm a tech wizard/afficianado' and we will get in touch with you.

Camera: Both are at par with 5 MP 1080p HD. The front facing camera for both devices too has 1.2 MP 720p HD.

Click here for all our gadget features

Reader Invite

Are you a gadget/gaming wizard/afficianado? Would you like to write on gadgets, gaming, the Internet, software technologies, OSs and the works for us? Send us a sample of your writing to gadgetsandgaming@rediffmail.com with the subject as 'I'm a tech wizard/afficianado' and we will get in touch with you.

When comparing both the devices each of them has their own pros and cons, at the end of that it’s upon you to evaluate what is your purpose for using the tablet. If you are one of those who prefer using various apps, want to play games, watch movies and travel with ease carrying the tablet in your pocket Nexus 7 is for you.

If you are one of those guys who enjoy larger screen size, don’t mind taking your tab along carrying It in your bag and experience rich multimedia, watch movies, listen to your favorite music videos with superior sound quality and walk with style iPad Air is the way to go.

Please let us know your thoughts on the message board below.

Click here for all our gadget features

Reader Invite

Are you a gadget/gaming wizard/afficianado? Would you like to write on gadgets, gaming, the Internet, software technologies, OSs and the works for us? Send us a sample of your writing to gadgetsandgaming@rediffmail.com with the subject as 'I'm a tech wizard/afficianado' and we will get in touch with you.