You Should Wait for the Nexus 7 2

While it didn’t announce it at Google I/O 2013, Google is heavily rumored to be debuting a newNexus 7, currently dubbed Nexus 7 2, sometime later this year. And while we still don’t have a Nexus 7 2 release date, official features or a price, those interested in a new Android tablet would be wise to hold off and wait for Google to deliver its new 7-inch Nexus 7 2.

Last year, at Google I/O 2012, Google took the stage and announced an assortment of new products. The three main announcements consisted of the ill-fated Nexus Q, Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and of course, the 7-inch Nexus 7 that went up for pre-order that day and arrived a few weeks later in the month of July.

The Nexus 7 2 is likely on the way. We take a look at what consumers should wait.

The Nexus 7 went on to become one of the more popular tablets on the planet as it beat Apple’s iPad mini to shelves and in true Google fashion, combined stellar specifications with an affordable price tag. Times are changing though and the Nexus 7 appears to be at the end of its rope. Indeed, it’s still available in the Google Play Store but rumors suggest that something new is on the way.

Evidence, credible evidence at that, has suggested that Asus and Google have cooked up a new Nexus tablet for arrival sometime later this year, possibly as soon as next month. That device is known as the Nexus 7 2 and from the looks of things, it will replace the Nexus 7 on the Google Play Store as the company’s premier 7-inch Nexus tablet.

Of course, its arrival presents a dilemma for buyers. Those looking for a tablet now might be enamored with the current Nexus 7, another Android tablet or the iPad mini from Apple.

However, we think it’s in the best interest of tablet buyers to wait for the Nexus 7 2 from Google. Here’s why.

Why You Should Wait for the Nexus 7 2

You Won’t Have to Wait Long

We’re not saying that consumers will want to buy the Nexus 7 2 when it arrives, but what we are saying is that consumers should wait to buy a tablet, specifically a 7-inch tablet, before the Nexus 7 2 arrives. And maybe the biggest reason to wait is that a launch should be coming within the next few weeks.

Rumors have suggested that Google will follow up the July launch of the original Nexus 7 with a July launch for the Nexus 7 2. A specific date isn’t confirmed and that information is far from confirmed, however, it makes sense, especially now that the device has seemingly passed through the FCC and Bluetooth SIG. Both of those are road blocks on the way to release.

The Nexus 7 2 has seemingly passed through the FCC.

Google is also rumored to be releasing Android 4.3 Jelly Bean a few weeks after the June 26th release of the HTC One Nexus and Galaxy S4 Nexus and it could be that Google uses the Nexus 7 2 to launch it.

At this point, it seems that we may be just a few weeks away from an announcement and those who are in the market for a new tablet would be wise to hold onto their money for a few weeks.

Longevity

Of course, there are plenty of other reasons why consumers would be smart to wait for the Nexus 7 2 announcement. One of them is that the Nexus 7 2 is going to last owners longer than the Nexus 7, simply because Google will support it for longer than its aging tablet.

Typically, Nexus devices see several big name Android updates before Google cuts them off. The older Nexus 7 likely still has a few updates left in it but the Nexus 7 2 will likely last for at least a year longer.

The Nexus 7 2 will have a longer life thanks to software.

What this means is that users buying the Nexus 7 instead of the Nexus 7 2 will be investing in a device that is likely to miss out on future updates. For some, that will be acceptable but we think that those who bought the Nexus 7 instead will be regretting that decision when the Nexus 7 misses out on a big Android update down the road.

Better Battery Life

The Nexus 7 possessed decent enough battery life for a cheap, 7-inch slate though the tablet became mired in issues after the Android 4.2 update which saw the introduction of battery drain and slow charging issues, issues that we’ve seen first-hand. Those problems might be tackled with an Android 4.3 update but that won’t stop the Nexus 7 2 from possessing even better battery life.

The Nexus 7 2 should have better battery life.

Rumor don’t suggest that the Nexus 7 2 will come with a larger battery than the Nexus 7. In fact, it looks like they will be similar in size. However, the Nexus 7 will be coming with a next-generation CPU that should mean enhanced performance and improved battery life. The Snapdragon 600 chip from Qualcomm that is thought to be on board should help to keep Nexus 7 2 battery life stable and we wouldn’t be surprised to see some other tweaks that help to enhance it.

It would be surprising to see a next-generation Nexus 7 tablet arrive with less or similar battery life in a world where amazing battery life is one of the features that determines whether a device succeeds or fails.

You’re a Gamer

That processor isn’t just going to help with battery life. In fact, the processor and its speed-enhanced Adreno 320 GPU should help to offer improved gaming for those that love to use their tablet for that purpose. Games should perform better than they did on the original Nexus 7 and they should look better as well thanks to a rumored resolution change on the Nexus 7.

Better Screen Than iPad mini

This could be the Nexus 7 2.

One of the biggest additions that Asus and Google are said to be making to the Nexus 7 with the Nexus 7 2 is a 7-inch high-resolution display that checks in with 1080p resolution, same as many of the big name smartphones on the market.

What this means is that content on the Nexus 7 2 should look absolutely gorgeous, something that should excite those who plan to read books, play games, or watch movies on their tablet. If it’s true, it will also mean that content will blow away content on the Nexus 7 in the looks department.

This also means that the screen on the Nexus 7 2 should be better than the display found on the iPad mini which doesn’t have one of Apple’s Retina displays.

While Apple is expected to introduce an iPad mini 2 with a Retina display later on this year, the Nexus 7 2 will likely have the jump on Apple.

4G LTE

One of the big features that the FCC filing suggested that the Nexus 7 2 has on board is 4G LTE support. The original Nexus 7 does not have this ability and instead relies on the 3G networks of AT&T and T-Mobile.

4G LTE would mean much faster data speeds on AT&T and T-Mobile and from the filing, it seems that the door is open for a Verizon Nexus 7 2 as well thanks to capable bands being on board.

LTE is a huge upgrade over 3G so those looking to buy a cellular tablet will certainly want to wait for the Nexus 7 2 as it should have those fast data speeds on board when it arrives.

Will Be as Cheap as Nexus 7

The last reason to wait for the Nexus 7 2 is because the price of the Nexus 7 2 shouldn’t be too far off from the Nexus 7′s cheap price tag. Rumors suggest that we could see a price increase up to $220 for the Nexus 7 2 but we don’t expect that to happen.

Instead, we expect the Nexus 7 2 to arrive with a $199 price tag for the Wi-Fi only 16GB model and a $250 price for the 32GB model. These are the same prices as the Nexus 7 now and given the upgrades of the Nexus 7 2, it’s in the consumers best interest to simply wait for the new model.