Design
The device has managed a superior build quality matched by the standards of all HTC devices. The tablet is marked by a soft grip back and subtle curves which make this device look sleek and desirable to hold. The tablet’s size is 8.9 inches making it large enough to pass off as a fancy tablet yet it does not over do the design. The body is made of a brushed metal alloy which gives the edges a flawless shine. The power and volume buttons can be seen slyly hidden on the right edge of the tablet. The speakers are present towards the front and are arranged in a perfect camouflage design that fools the eye if not carefully watched out for. The size of the device is pretty large to fit in a single palm, unless of course for people with big hands!
The Nexus 9 has succeeded in keeping with the norms of the high-end tablets by reducing its thickness to 0.31 inches(7.8 mm) making it a fairly thin tablet. However it falls short of the Apple Air iPad benchmark of 0.24 inches. However, at 425g it is definitely one of the lightest tablets in the market.
Performance and Storage
The Nexus 9 packs the most fastest processors known among smartphones and tablet devices today. This device runs on the Android 5.0 lollipop and instead of the HTC trademark Qualcomm CPU, the device supports a Nvidia K1 chipset. This means that users are treated to an improved speed while flicking through the Nexus 9 and making the graphical prowess much better.
The Android 5.0 presents a new set of features that include interactive lock screen notifications, a modified quick settings menu and a revamped recent apps function. Notifications are now prominently displayed on the lock screen, like they would in the pull-down menu, and you can clear them or launch corresponding apps without swiping to unlock. You can control and edit which apps you get notifications for, but Google tries to do this for you off the bat.
The 64 bit processor ensures you get more work done and faster. At 2.3GHz, the NVIDIA Tegra K1 Dual Denver delivers better performance everytime. You can run music, videos, gaming and documents all at once.
The device is available in two variants supporting 32GB and 64GB internal memory respectively. There is no provision for a MicroSD slot which makes data storage and handling a limitation for those who have extensive tablet usage. The 2GB RAM is another factor which may limit the full capacity of the 64 bit processor.
Screen
The 8.9 inches long tablet has an IPS capacitive touch screen with a resolution of 1536 x 2048 pixels (~281 ppi pixel density) that ensures amazing graphical experience. The Gorilla Glass 3 provides the necessary damage protection to the screen. Watching movies and playing games become a visual delight for the users.
The User Interface is responsive and swift to touch. It allows icons of the Apps to twist around while dragging them across the screen. The quick settings pull-down menu, accessible by swiping down from the top of the screen, displays notifications that now look similar to cards you'd see on your Google Now homepage. A single swipe from top to bottom ensures that you see your notifications and another swipe down again, expands the menu and reveals a few useful settings shortcuts, including brightness level, Wi-Fi, and flashlight.
Sound and Camera
The HTC BoomSound speakers on the front of the tablet are loud and clear, with a decent amount of bass. The slightly camouflaged speakers of the Google Nexus 9 make it wanting for better sound quality.
The Nexus sports an 8 MP rear camera with auto-focus function and LED flash. and a 1.6 MP front camera. With an aperture of focal length 2.4 both in the rear and front cameras, the device enables 360° picture capturing and good quality pictures even in dimly lit surroundings.
Google Apps and Built-in Features
Needless to say, the Nexus 9 comes loaded with the entire kitty of Google Apps like Gmail, Docs, Drive, Chrome and the Google Play Store. The multi touch screen ensures that you can perform multiple tasks. Regular software updates get initiated by Google itself.
Network Connectivity
The Nexus 9 requires a Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot to connect you to the internet.
Battery
The device is well powered by a 6700 mAh battery that promises up to 9.5 hours of WiFi browsing/Video Playback up to 9.5 hours/WiFi Standby up to 30 days.
The Final Verdict
The Google Nexus 9 tablet is one of the top contenders in the Tablet space. With features and specifications that match standards with the likes of Apple and Amazon, The Nexus 9 is a major breakthrough for Google’s tablet business. Priced at 24,900 in India, it is one of the best buys for those of you looking for a premium tablet that leads both in looks and performance.
