Google Nexus 9 review
This will be a brief review as there aren't many differences between this and the Nexus 7 (last year) and the Nexus 10 (two years ago). Well, this sits in the middle of these previous models, an 8.9 inch screen with a 4x3 aspect, like an iPad. I wonder were they got that idea?
The design and feel of the nexus 9 is very similar to the Nexus 7 and Nexus 5. If you loved the Nexus 5, this is its big brother. With the same soft touch plastic back, which on the black model is a bit of a fingerprint magnet. On the back we have the now standard Nexus name engraved across the back panel. The only metal part you will get on this Nexus 9 is around the edge of the device. A metal band that joins the plastic back to the gorilla glass coated screen. On the metal band you will find the power and volume buttons. If you were unlucky enough to own one of the very first ones launched then your button would be glued to the frame and very hard to push. HTC became aware of the issue and quickly updated the button hardware itself. If you ordered one today you would get the newer version with buttons that stick out further. The double tap to wake feature is ready to use out of the box.
Moving round to the back we will check out the camera. It does slightly stick out from the back but not enough to make it rock when its laid on a flat surface. It's an 8MP shooter which is fine, not the best on the market but it'll get the job done. Going around to the front of the Nexus 9 we find a beautiful 1536x2048 which will give you a pixel density of 281ppi (pixels per inch). The screen is very clear and sharp, you will need to look long and hard to actually find the individual pixels. Also on the front are speakers, two of them. That's right front facing dual stereo speakers. Now, it's not the Boomsound speakers but they are still much better than the speaker on the back. You'll have to cup your hand around it so you don't block the sound.
Now the software, really this is the reason you're buying the Nexus 9. Android Lollipop and it's beautiful material design. Almost everything on Lollipop is animated and is actually perfect. It all flows so well from one application to the next. Lollipop 5.0 stock android straight from Google is the reason to purchase this device. You know that you will be first in line for future updates.
Now all that lovely Lollipop is going to run like a dream with the 64-bit version of the Nvidia Tegra K1 system-on-a-chip, with a 2.3GHz dual-core Denver CPU and a 192-core Kepler DX1 GPU and 2GB of RAM. It also features the speedy 802.11ac Wi-Fi standard, Bluetooth 4.1 and NFC. With all the power and Lollipop being a lighter OS to run the nexus 9 as a speedy feel to it.
So let's round this up. The Nexus 9 is a bigger faster version of the Nexus 7. If you want to have the latest offering from Google Android then a Nexus device is for you. The Nexus 9 is a great tablet and will probably cater to your every need, but if you're looking for a premium quality device, something all metal and shiny? Then this is not for you. I hope you found this review helpful if you're thinking of purchasing a Nexus 9. Leave your comments below and enjoy TechDependent!
