Nexus 9

amazon Nexus 9 reviews

Released in November 2014, the Nexus 9 was a collaborative effort between Google and HTC, aiming to offer a premium tablet experience powered by the then-latest version of Android. With its powerful hardware, sleek design, and integration with Google’s ecosystem, the Nexus 9 was positioned as a formidable competitor in the tablet market. This review delves into the various aspects of the Nexus 9, including its design, display, performance, user interface, features, battery life, and overall value.

Design

The Nexus 9 showcases a minimalist and premium design, characteristic of HTC’s craftsmanship. Measuring 228.2 x 153.7 x 7.9 mm and weighing 425 grams for the Wi-Fi model (436 grams for the LTE model), it strikes a balance between portability and robust build quality.

The front of the Nexus 9 is dominated by an 8.9-inch display, framed by relatively thin bezels that provide a modern look while allowing for easy handling. The front-facing speakers, a hallmark of HTC’s design language, are positioned at the top and bottom edges, offering stereo sound.

The back of the tablet features a soft-touch plastic finish with a subtle Nexus logo emblazoned in the center. This finish not only provides a comfortable grip but also adds to the device’s overall aesthetic appeal. The tablet’s metal frame adds a touch of elegance and improves its durability.

One of the standout design elements of the Nexus 9 is its symmetry and attention to detail. The power and volume buttons are conveniently located on the right side, easily accessible with one hand. The device also includes a standard 3.5mm headphone jack at the top and a micro-USB port for charging and data transfer at the bottom.

Display

The Nexus 9 boasts an 8.9-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of 281 pixels per inch (PPI). This high resolution ensures that text appears sharp and clear, while images and videos are vibrant and detailed.

The 4:3 aspect ratio of the display is well-suited for browsing the web, reading e-books, and using productivity apps. It provides a more natural and comfortable viewing experience compared to the wider 16:9 aspect ratio found in many other tablets. However, this aspect ratio does introduce black bars when watching widescreen videos.

The IPS technology offers wide viewing angles and accurate color reproduction, making the Nexus 9 ideal for multimedia consumption. The display’s brightness is sufficient for indoor use, but it may struggle under direct sunlight, where reflections can be a distraction.

Performance

Under the hood, the Nexus 9 is powered by a 64-bit NVIDIA Tegra K1 processor, featuring a dual-core Denver CPU clocked at 2.3 GHz and a 192-core Kepler GPU. This powerful combination ensures smooth and responsive performance across a variety of tasks, from web browsing and media consumption to gaming and multitasking.

The device comes with 2GB of RAM, which was adequate at the time of its release, but may feel limiting by today’s standards, especially for more demanding applications and multitasking scenarios. Nevertheless, the Nexus 9 handles most everyday tasks with ease, offering a seamless user experience.

The tablet is available in two storage configurations: 16GB and 32GB. Unfortunately, it does not include a microSD card slot for expandable storage, which can be a drawback for users with large media libraries or those who prefer to store a lot of apps and games locally.

User Interface and Software

The Nexus 9 was one of the first devices to ship with Android 5.0 Lollipop, showcasing the latest features and improvements of the operating system. Android Lollipop introduced a complete visual overhaul with Material Design, bringing a more modern and cohesive look to the user interface.

Material Design emphasizes bold colors, flat elements, and smooth animations, creating a visually appealing and intuitive experience. The Nexus 9’s interface is clean and clutter-free, with easy access to apps, notifications, and settings.

Being a Nexus device, the Nexus 9 runs a stock version of Android, free from manufacturer bloatware and custom skins. This ensures a pure Android experience with timely software updates directly from Google. The Nexus line was known for receiving the latest Android updates quickly, providing users with new features and security enhancements.

The multitasking capabilities of Android Lollipop are enhanced on the Nexus 9, thanks to its powerful hardware. The Recent Apps menu allows for quick switching between open applications, while the split-screen mode (introduced in later Android versions) makes multitasking even more efficient on the tablet’s large display.

Features

The Nexus 9 comes packed with a range of features designed to enhance productivity and entertainment. Here are some of the standout features that set the Nexus 9 apart from other tablets in its class:

1. Front-Facing Stereo Speakers: The front-facing BoomSound speakers, developed by HTC, deliver rich and immersive audio quality. Whether you’re watching videos, playing games, or listening to music, the stereo sound enhances the overall multimedia experience.
2. Google Play Store and Services: As a Google device, the Nexus 9 offers seamless integration with Google’s ecosystem. Users have access to the Google Play Store, where they can download a vast array of apps, games, movies, books, and more. Google services like Gmail, Google Drive, Google Photos, and Google Maps are also deeply integrated, providing a cohesive and productive experience.
3. Project Tango Compatibility: The Nexus 9 supports Project Tango, Google’s initiative to bring augmented reality (AR) to mobile devices. While this feature was in its early stages during the Nexus 9’s release, it showcased the tablet’s potential for future AR applications and experiences.
4. Battery-Saving Features: Android Lollipop introduced several battery-saving features, such as the Battery Saver mode, which reduces background activity and limits performance to extend battery life. The Nexus 9 benefits from these enhancements, providing longer usage times between charges.
5. Multi-User Support: The Nexus 9 supports multi-user accounts, allowing multiple users to have their own profiles on the same device. This feature is particularly useful for families or shared environments, ensuring that each user’s apps, settings, and data are kept separate.

Battery Life

The Nexus 9 is equipped with a 6700mAh non-removable battery, which provides respectable battery life for a tablet of its size. According to Google, the Nexus 9 can deliver up to 9.5 hours of web browsing or video playback on a single charge.

In real-world usage, the battery life varies depending on factors such as screen brightness, app usage, and connectivity. With moderate use, including web browsing, watching videos, and using social media, the Nexus 9 can easily last a full day on a single charge.

The tablet supports fast charging, allowing users to quickly recharge the battery when needed. However, it uses a micro-USB port for charging, which is slower compared to modern USB-C charging standards.

Connectivity

The Nexus 9 offers a range of connectivity options to keep you connected and productive:

1. Wi-Fi: The Nexus 9 supports dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, ensuring fast and reliable wireless connectivity. The dual-band support allows for better performance and reduced interference, especially in crowded Wi-Fi environments.
2. Bluetooth: The tablet includes Bluetooth 4.1, enabling wireless connections with a variety of devices, such as headphones, speakers, and keyboards. This feature enhances the versatility of the Nexus 9, making it suitable for different use cases.
3. LTE (Optional): The LTE model of the Nexus 9 offers cellular connectivity, providing internet access on the go. This option is ideal for users who require constant connectivity and want the flexibility to use their tablet outside of Wi-Fi coverage areas.
4. GPS: The built-in GPS allows for accurate location tracking and navigation. This feature is useful for mapping applications, location-based services, and travel-related tasks.

Camera

The Nexus 9 is equipped with an 8-megapixel rear camera and a 1.6-megapixel front-facing camera. While tablets are not typically known for their camera capabilities, the Nexus 9’s cameras are adequate for basic photography and video calling.

The rear camera features an f/2.4 aperture, autofocus, and an LED flash. It can capture decent photos in well-lit conditions, but it struggles in low-light environments. The camera app is straightforward, offering basic controls and settings for capturing photos and videos.

The front-facing camera is sufficient for video calls and selfies, but its resolution and image quality are not on par with modern devices. Overall, the cameras on the Nexus 9 are functional but not a highlight of the device.

Durability and Build Quality

The Nexus 9’s build quality is solid, thanks to HTC’s craftsmanship and the use of premium materials. The metal frame and soft-touch plastic back provide a sturdy and comfortable feel. The tablet’s design ensures durability, with minimal flex and a robust construction.

However, the soft-touch finish on the back is prone to fingerprints and smudges, requiring regular cleaning to maintain its appearance. Additionally, while the Nexus 9 feels durable, it is not water-resistant or ruggedized, so it requires careful handling to avoid damage from drops or spills.

Software Updates

One of the advantages of owning a Nexus device is the timely software updates directly from Google. The Nexus 9 received several updates during its lifecycle, ensuring that users had access to the latest features and security patches.

For those looking for the latest features and updates, custom ROMs are available from the Android developer community. Custom ROMs can extend the life of the Nexus 9 by providing newer versions of Android, additional features, and performance improvements. However, installing custom ROMs requires technical knowledge and voids the device’s warranty, so it’s important for users to proceed with caution and understand the risks involved.

Ecosystem and App Compatibility

The Nexus 9, being a Google device, is deeply integrated into the Google ecosystem. This integration ensures that users have seamless access to Google services like Gmail, Google Drive, Google Photos, Google Maps, and more. The Google Play Store provides a vast selection of apps, games, movies, books, and music, making it easy to find content that suits your needs and interests.

Despite its age, the Nexus 9 remains compatible with a wide range of apps available on the Google Play Store. However, some newer apps and games may require more powerful hardware to run smoothly. For everyday tasks such as web browsing, social media, productivity, and media consumption, the Nexus 9 performs well and offers a satisfying user experience.

Gaming Performance

The NVIDIA Tegra K1 processor and Kepler GPU make the Nexus 9 capable of handling many modern games with decent performance. Casual games and less demanding titles run smoothly, providing an enjoyable gaming experience. The tablet’s 4:3 aspect ratio and high-resolution display enhance the visual quality of games, making them look crisp and vibrant.

However, for more graphically intensive games, the 2GB of RAM and aging hardware may show limitations. Users might experience occasional frame drops or longer loading times in these scenarios. While the Nexus 9 can handle most games available on the Google Play Store, it is not the best choice for those seeking a device specifically for high-end gaming.

Accessories

The Nexus 9 supports a variety of accessories that can enhance its functionality and usability. Some of the popular accessories include:

1. Keyboard Folio: The official keyboard folio for the Nexus 9 adds a physical keyboard and doubles as a protective case. This accessory is ideal for users who need to type extensively or use the tablet for productivity tasks. The keyboard connects via Bluetooth and provides a comfortable typing experience.
2. Protective Cases: There are numerous third-party protective cases available for the Nexus 9, offering different levels of protection and functionality. From slim and lightweight cases to rugged and durable options, users can choose a case that suits their needs and preferences.
3. Stylus: While the Nexus 9 does not come with a stylus, it is compatible with capacitive styluses available in the market. A stylus can be useful for note-taking, drawing, and navigating the tablet’s interface with precision.
4. Screen Protectors: To protect the display from scratches and smudges, users can apply a screen protector. There are various options available, including tempered glass and plastic film protectors, each offering different levels of protection and clarity.

Value and Conclusion

When it was released, the Nexus 9 was positioned as a premium tablet with a price to match. Over time, as newer tablets entered the market with more advanced features and improved hardware, the Nexus 9’s value proposition has changed. Today, the Nexus 9 can be found at significantly lower prices in the second-hand market, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious buyers.

Despite being an older device, the Nexus 9 still offers a solid user experience for everyday tasks such as web browsing, media consumption, and productivity. Its high-resolution display, front-facing stereo speakers, and integration with Google’s ecosystem provide a well-rounded and enjoyable experience.

However, potential buyers should consider the limitations of the Nexus 9, such as its aging hardware, lack of expandable storage, and no longer receiving official software updates. For users who prioritize the latest features, performance, and long-term support, exploring newer tablets like the Google Pixel Slate, Samsung Galaxy Tab S6, or Apple iPad Air might be a better option.

In conclusion, the Nexus 9 is a testament to Google and HTC’s collaboration, delivering a tablet that was ahead of its time in design and functionality. While it may not compete with the latest tablets in terms of hardware and features, it remains a capable and reliable device for those looking for an affordable entry into the world of Android tablets. Its blend of premium design, solid performance, and Google integration ensures that it continues to be a worthwhile option for many users.

where can you get a Nexus 9 online

Google Nexus 9 Tablet (8.9-Inch, 32GB, Black, Wi-Fi): Buy it now

Google Nexus 9 0P82100-16-BLK 8.9-Inch, 16 GB Flash Memory Tablet (Black): Buy it now

Google Nexus 9 Tablet (8.9-Inch, 16 GB, White): Buy it now

Google Nexus 9 Tablet (8.9-Inch, 32 GB, White): Buy it now