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Nexus 7 2: 7 Things Buyers Need to Know Before Launch

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We’re likely just two days away from the launch of the new Nexus 7, also known as the Nexus 7 2. And with the launch in such close proximity, we’ve seen a number of new rumors sprout up regarding the Nexus 7 2 release date and its price, rumors that any prospective buyers need to know about ahead of the device’s launch.

It has become clear that Google, despite missing Google I/O, has a new tablet up its sleeve for July. Prior to last week, rumors pointed to a Nexus 7 2 launch taking place sometime in late July and fortunately, Google all but confirmed that news with invitations to an event in San Francisco set for July 24th. The company has not said what the event is about but thanks to it be headed up by Sundar Pichai, Google’s Android head, it’s likely that it will be Android related.

A new report claims the new Nexus 7 will arrive in July.

A new Nexus 7 2 is on the way.

Google remains tight-lipped on exactly what will be arriving at the media event but thanks to leaks, it’s clear that we’ll not only be seeing a new Android update in Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, but we’ll also likely be seeing a brand new Nexus 7 tablet that will compete against the likes of the iPad mini, Kindle Fire HD and their successors, the iPad mini 2 and the Kindle Fire HD 2.

The device is still unofficial though thanks to certifications at various bodies around the world and leaks that just haven’t stopped, the Nexus 7 2 is very much out in the open with its final details seemingly leaking out to the surface over the past week. So while the launch may not happen until Wednesday, the Nexus 7 2 is in a sense, already official.

So with all of the Nexus 7 rumors and speculation, all of the deals on older devices, and all of the rumors in regards to upcoming devices not called Nexus 7 2, it’s now time to take a look at the seven most important things that prospective Nexus 7 2 buyers need to know ahead of the device’s certain launch on July 24th.

Nexus 7 2 Release Date

The Nexus 7 2 release date looks good for the end of July.

The Nexus 7 2 release date looks good for the end of July.

Google typically announces its new Nexus hardware and releases it several weeks later. That doesn’t look like it’s going to be the case with the Nexus 7 2 as retailers are expecting the device to arrive by the end of July, meaning, consumers may only have to wait a few days before getting their hands on the new Nexus 7.

Leaks have indicated that retailers are expecting to put the device on shelves as soon as July 30th, a date that would come less than a week after the announcement. While another leak indicated that it would be out on July 31st, it’s clear that Google is aiming for a release, at least at third-party outlets, in late July.

Read: Nexus 7 2 Release Date, Price Hike Outed By Best Buy.

Whether that means July 30th release for the Google Play Store remains unclear though in the past we have seen retailers get devices when Google itself starts offering them.

So what buyers need to know is that an Nexus 7 2 release date is expected to touch down in just a few days time which is quite refreshing for an Android launch.

Price Hike

Buyers need to know that they will likely be paying a little bit more for the Nexus 7 2. While the Nexus 7 checked in at $199.99 and $249.99 for the 16GB and 32GB models respectively, it looks like Google will be upping the price of the Nexus 7 2 by $30.

While rumors indicated that this might be the case, cold hard evidence from retailers has surfaced, all but confirming Google’s intentions. It appears that the pricing will shift to $230 and $270 for the Wi-Fi only 16GB and 32GB Nexus 7 2 models, a $30 increase over the Nexus 7. This also will mean that the device is exactly $100 cheaper than the iPad mini, something that Google will likely tout.

In any event, while it’s not confirmed, it’s looking like buyers are going to need to prepare for a Nexus 7 price hike.

Nexus 7 Deals

Those that don’t want to pay the extra $30 should have no problem finding deals on the current Nexus 7. In fact, retailers like Staples are currently hosting deals on the older Nexus 7 in order to clear out inventory and make way for the newer model.

We’ve seen the price drop as low as $149 for the 16GB model though it’s possible that we could see the Nexus 7 price dip even lower than that as retailers look to ditch the older hardware.

There will be Nexus 7 deals.

There will be Nexus 7 deals.

As we’ve pointed out, the Nexus 7 2 is likely going to be worth the money thanks to its upgraded display but for those that simply don’t need top of the line hardware, the Nexus 7 is going to be worth a look, especially since it should receive updates from Google for the foreseeable future.

Hardware Upgrades

Speaking of those hardware upgrades, those are now all but confirmed. Thanks to leaks, we now know that many of the early Nexus 7 2 rumors have turned out to be true.

It appears that the Nexus 7 2 will sport a similar display, in size, but it will come with improved resolution with 1920 x 1200 resolution said to be on board. That’s a huge improvement over the display on the Nexus 7 2 and should translate into crisper images, videos and web content.

Furthermore, we should see a new processor on board, though it’s unclear if it will be the quad-core Snapdragon 600 or the Snapdragon S4 Pro. Both have been mentioned. Both are, fortunately, upgrades over the Tegra 3 found in the original Nexus 7.

google-nexus-7-review-1

The Nexus 7 2 will more than likely feature an upgraded display.

We should also see a 1.9MP front-facing camera, an improvement over the older Nexus 7, and a 5MP rear camera. The original did not have a rear camera at all.

As for the design, it looks like it will be similar to the older model though from the looks of things, it will be taller and likely thinner than its predecessor. Finally, we should see the device come with 4G LTE support for AT&T and T-Mobile at the very least with Verizon remaining a possibility thanks to the device’s bands.

So what buyers need to take away from all of that is that we will see better screen resolution, improved performance thanks to a processor upgrade, a rear camera, and a design that should be an improvement over the original.

Android 4.3

Buyers need to know that the Nexus 7 2 will be coming with the latest and greatest version of Android, Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. How do we know this? Not only have certifications pointed to Android 4.3 being on board, but we’ve seen Android 4.3 emerge numerous times in the wild ahead of its release.

Android 4.3 is real and it will be coming on the Nexus 7 2. Of course, buyers should not get too excited as it doesn’t come with a whole lot of new. Bluetooth Light Energy, font changes, and camera app tweaks lead the charge though it’s possible that Google could have some surprises in store.

We also should see a piece of software that takes care of many of the issues that plagued Nexus 7 owners on Android 4.2. So given that Android Jelly Bean has been out since last July, more than a year now, we should see the most polished version of Android to date.

iPad mini 2 Launch Far Out

An iPad mini 2 with Retina is likely far off in the distance.

An iPad mini 2 with Retina is likely far off in the distance.

Those debating between the new Nexus 7 2 and a new iPad mini need to know that an iPad mini 2 with Retina Display launch may not be close. Rumors suggest that the device will land sometime this fall though fall spans all the way into December.

Apple has shown an unwillingness to announce anything other than an iPhone at its iPhone events. And given that it is rumored for September, it seems unlikely that we’ll see Apple debut the iPad mini 2 on stage with the new iPhone.

The company’s iPad mini has only been out since November and it continues to sell well so it could be that Apple uses a year cycle with the release of the iPad mini 2.

In any event, it does not seem like a launch of an iPad mini 2 with Retina Display is imminent, meaning, the Nexus 7 2 will likely be the top dog on shelves for several weeks at the very least.

This could either prove troublesome to buyers who are having a tough time deciding or it could propel buyers into buying a new Nexus 7 instead of waiting for several months for Apple to deliver.

Kindle Fire HD 2 Launch Could Be Close

While Apple isn’t likely close to pushing out a new 7-inch tablet, Amazon might be with rumors suggesting that the Kindle Fire HD 2 is set for sometime in the third quarter, meaning, by the end of September. Supply line rumors indicate that it could be revealed in late August, early September, which would mean a launch just a few short weeks after the Nexus 7 2.

Like the Nexus 7 2, it’s said to be coming with a 1920 x 1200 HD display, an improvement over the original. Other features remain unclear but consumers can expect the company to make some intriguing upgrades to its 7-inch tablet.

The Kindle Fire HD 2 should take on the iPad mini 2 and Nexus 7 2.

The Kindle Fire HD 2 should take on the iPad mini 2 and Nexus 7 2.

That said, Amazon fanatics who are looking for a device to suit their needs may ultimately only have to wait a few weeks before the arrival of Amazon’s new tablet so it may be worth holding off on a Nexus 7 2 purchase at launch.

8 Comments

8 Comments

  1. Dawn Hamilton

    07/22/2013 at 3:04 pm

    Another impressive tablet to launch this week is the new Pipo M7 Pro ($255) that for about the same price as the Nexus 7 II, offers a much larger 8.9 inch display with 1900×1200 resolution, a Quad core processor, along with built-in GPS navigation… and is packed with other features and the latest technology that rival the new Nexus — an 8″ model similar to the mini iPad also became available last week – the Pipo U8 ($195) — both new tablets are available through T ab l e t S p r i n t– which also features $25 in Bonus Apps, including an Office Suite App and several premium 3D Games, including the popular Shadowgun…

    • jsn079

      07/23/2013 at 3:28 am

      What has Pipo to do with the Google Nexus announcement?..
      And why are you plugging an announcement for a lesser device on every N7-related article?!

      Therefore, I consider your message as spam/advertising.

  2. Kevin

    07/22/2013 at 3:09 pm

    I didn’t realize there were kindle fire fanatics lol!

  3. dave

    07/22/2013 at 3:17 pm

    Adam. This is more crap speculative journalism. Why don’t you become a weather forecaster. Then you can say it might rain, or it might not rain, next week but for sure it’s gonna rain sometime.
    Bollocks!

  4. Justin

    07/22/2013 at 6:22 pm

    Adam, thanks for keeping up with the rumors and summarizing them in these articles. I’ve been planning to buy a nexus 7 2 since the rumors started circulating and have been reading your articles daily since then.

  5. Adam

    07/22/2013 at 6:29 pm

    Does it keep the POGO pins on the side?

  6. OMG Cat

    07/23/2013 at 12:16 am

    Adam should adopt more of a glass half full rather than a glass half empty attitude. You’d think that would come perfectly naturaly to someone who “loves” their iPhone 5 and Apple products.

  7. Bobby fat face

    07/24/2013 at 7:28 am

    HACK HACK HACK

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