Apple iPad Air 2 Is Here, but Wait, so Is Google’s Nexus 9


iPadAir2vNexus9Tablets2Apple announced a brand new upgrade to its iPad Air, the new 6.1mm thick iPad Air 2. This comes just one day after Google announced its only flagship tablet, the Nexus 9. The talk of the town is which one of these devices is worth purchasing, especially because both companies basically make up the paradigm of the market. Both are thin, have competitive design and build quality, but which one is for you? The only thing to do to find that out is to compare the cold, hard facts between the two.

If you're going on price, then right away you'd rather reach for the $399 Nexus 9, because the new iPad Air 2 is a hundred bucks higher. But lets face it, there are a lot more important things than price sometimes; take size, RAM, and processor specs. At $499, the iPad Air 2 has a lot of the same specs as its predecessor. The biggest changes include its super slim 6.1mm physique (that's 18% thinner), and its super fast 64-bit A8X chip with M8 motion co-processor, with 1GB of RAM. The rivaling Nexus 9 measures in at 7.95mm (a chunkier tablet on the market), runs a 64-bit NVIDIA Tegra K1 processor, and has 2GB of RAM (Cnet).

iPadAir2vNexus9Tablets1On to externals. iPads are known for their impeccable and beautiful Retina displays. But here's a surprise, this round of flagships have the exact same 2048 x 1536p resolution (also the same Retina display we know and love in previous iPads). The Air 2 retained its 9.7-inch display, while the Nexus 9 measured at 8.9 inches this time around. When considering price, this is such a tremendous jump for the Google Nexus 9, whose previous version had an already lovely 1920 x 1200p display.

Other important comparisons: The tablets, besides varying in thickness, feel different to the touch. For example, the iPad Air 2 retains its sleek aluminum body, while the Nexus 9 has metal sides and a soft, angular matte plastic back (Trusted Reviews). Both tablets have an 8MP rear-facing camera, but Apple incorporated timelapse, burst, and slow-motion to the iPad Air 2 camera. As far as front-facers, the Nexus 9 boasts 1.6MPs while the Air 2's 1.5MP camera now “has a new sensor that promises to let in 81% more light” (Android Pit). These specs could convince even me to hold up a tablet to take a photo, just sayin!

iPadAir2vNexus9Tablets3Google Nexus aside, a notable upgrade in the iPad Air 2 includes the long anticipated Touch ID Home Button, a very welcome edition that lets you unlock your device with your fingerprint. Any iPhone 5s or higher owners out there have already begun enjoying this feature. While the Google Nexus 9 has nearly everything the iPad Air 2 does in a cheaper package, its literal package might be too chunky for true tablet lovers. Both tablets will come in a variety of colors to choose from, and are packed with super speedy processors. If you care about storage, the “iPad Air 2 has many more options available to potential buyers” (Trusted Opinions). This includes a higher amount of internal storage, as well as Wi-Fi only or 4G LTE added. When it comes down to making a decision, it almost makes perfect sense. Either you want everything your heart desires (and the iPad Air 2 offers it), or you make a more sensible buy and go with the (barely) less-inclined Google Nexus 9.

Topics: Technology News Apple Display Screen Technology Tablets

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