Google has been setting the tone of Android
devices with its Nexus program since 2010 when the HTC-built Nexus One
was announced. Now over four years later, HTC is rumored to be coming
back to the Nexus program in true style, building its first tablet in
years. Leaked documents and specs for the Nexus 9 (codename Volantis)
have been appearing for weeks, and the newest cache of information
offers up a few more tantalizing details. If you’re in the market for a
tablet, this might be the one to wait for.Nexus phones and tablets usually include a few hardware compromises to come in at a competitive price point. The Nexus 9 (or maybe Nexus 8, depending on Google’s final naming decision) will be bringing some serious specs to the table, including the debut of Nvidia’s 64-bit Tegra K1 ARM processor paired with 4GB of RAM. That would be a jump from current high-end Android devices, which top out at 3GB.
The choice of processor is consistent across the leaks, so it’s probably one of the more solid aspects. That’s a good thing too — even the 32-bit K1 is crazy-fast. Nvidia previously said the 64-bit K1 based on its custom Denver CPU core was due out late in 2014, which also lines up with an alleged release date for the Nexus 9. This chip will only have two cores, as opposed to the 32-bit K1 with its four Cortex-A15 ARM cores. However, the move to the ARMv8 instruction set and Nvidia’s highly optimized architecture could mean the dual-core 64-bit chip vastly outperforms the quad-core variant. The new chip will have the same Kepler desktop-like GPU as the current 32-bit K1, making it great for gaming.
The screen leaks for the Nexus 9 are a little inconsistent, but the newest round of rumors points to a 2560×1600 resolution display at 8.9-inches. That would put it at 339 pixels per inch, significantly higher than most other tablets, but still behind phones with 1080p screens. Some past leaks pointed to a square screen ratio like an iPad, but even then the rumored resolutions didn’t match up. 2560×1600 would likely make the Nexus 9 a widescreen device — it’s the same resolution as the nearly two-year-old Nexus 10.
The budget approach to the two Asus-built Nexus 7s certainly attracted price-conscious consumers, but they didn’t serve as great showcases for Android. The original Nexus 7 had that nasty storage controller issue that caused it to grind to a halt after a few months of use, and the 2013 N7 had a variety of touchscreen issues. These weren’t bad devices, but they didn’t have the kind of performance or reliability you’d expect from a premium device. With Google’s big Android L release fast approaching, premium is where it needs to be, and the Nexus 9 is rumored to start north of $300.
Android L is without a doubt the most significant update the platform has seen since at least 4.0 back in 2011. Google is rethinking the design guidelines, the colors, the lock screen, and even the notification shade (which has been sacrosanct for years). All the leaks say the Nexus 9 is going to be a launch device for Android L, so now is not the time to skimp on hardware. Google needs to make this one splashy, even if that means a slightly higher price. If the hardware leaks so far are accurate, this is going to be one fastest tablets ever built. That would be a great way to kick off a new era for Android.
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