Google set a new standard for budget tablets with the
Nexus 7; now it’s back with the larger Nexus 10. Is the new benchmark for 10in
tablets?
Google’s Nexus 10 was the first Android tablet to launch in
2012 that stands a real chance of taking on the full-size iPad. Manufactured by
Samsung, its design isn’t too far removed from the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1.
Like most 10in Android tablets, the Nexus 10 is designed to
be primarily used in landscape mode. It has a Gorilla Glass 2 front and a
plastic casing. The build quality is excellent, and the tablet has a soft and
grippy feel, but it doesn’t match the quality of the iPad.
Google Nexus 10
The Nexus 10 is comfortable to hold in either landscape or
portrait mode. It’s both thinner and lighter than the fourth-generation iPad at
9mm and 604g.
Physical power and volume buttons are located on the top of
the tablet, while ports are found on the sides. Refreshingly, the Nexus 10
charges via Micro USB.
A cover similar to Apple’s Smart Cover can be attached, but
at the time of writing this had yet to go on sale.
Hardware
This tablet is incredibly fast, with some impressive
hardware specifications. Samsung has equipped it with its own 1.7GHz Exynos
5250, a dual-core processor based on the ARM Cortex-AI5 architecture, plus 2GB
of RAM.
In GeekBench the Nexus 10 crushed its rivals with a score of
2,505 points. Its closest rival, the fourth-generation iPad, managed ‘just’
1,769. The iPad fared better in the SunSpider JavaScript test, though, with
854ms versus 1,329ms.
The Nexus 10’s graphics are competent, too. It beat the
third-gen iPad’s 22fps in GLBenchmark with a playable 27fps, but the fourth-gen
iPad was faster still with 39fps.
The Nexus 10 is fast to respond to input, apps open quickly,
and pinch-zooming in the Chrome browser is silky smooth.
The Nexus 10 is available with 16- or 32GB of storage,
priced at $479 and $584 respectively. This can’t be expanded via a removable
memory card slot.
The third-and fourth-gen iPads boast Retina-quality screens,
but the Nexus 10 sports an even higher resolution at 2560x1600. Its pixel
density of 300ppi is nothing short of incredible. Everything displayed onscreen
looks super-sharp and detailed. We found the screen very responsive and viewing
angles astounding. Combined with a 16:10 aspect ratio and front-facing
speakers, the Nexus is an ideal tablet for watching films.
Its pixel density
of 300ppi is nothing short of incredible.
The Nexus is well connected, with Bluetooth and dual-band
802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi with Mimo antennae and Wi-Fi Direct. There’s also NFC and
GPS, but no 3/4G. A Micro HDMI port lets you hook it up to a big-screen TV,
too.
A ‘Magnetic Pogo pin charger’ is found on the bottom edge of
the tablet. At the time of writing, no compatible accessories were available.
Cameras
If you don’t mind looking a bit odd when taking photos with
a 10in slab of glass and plastic then the Nexus 10 has a good quality 5Mp
rear-facing camera with an LED flash. It can shoot full-HD (I080p) video
footage, too.
There are a few simple settings within the camera app, such
as exposure and white balance, but you can go to town afterward. A Photo Sphere
mode enables panoramas.
The front-facing camera is capable of 1.9Mp stills and 720p
video.
Software
Buying a Nexus device is a sure-fire way to ensure you
always have the latest version of Google’s Android operating system. Android
4.2 Jelly Bean offers the vanilla experience Google intended, with none of the
clutter and bloatware other manufacturers so often add.
Google Nexus 10
with Android 4.2
The user interface is fluid and has the familiar set of
homescreens, permanent Google search bar and customisable app tray. You can set
up the Nexus 10 how you like with app shortcuts, widgets and wallpapers.
A few new features are found in expandable and actionable
notifications, offline dictation and Google Now. You can also create and easily
switch between multiple user accounts, each with their own apps, widgets and
more.
The interface now has two pull-down bars swipe downwards
from the left side of the screen and you get the regular notification bar,
swipe from the right and you get a new quick settings bar. Certain widgets can
now be displayed on the lockscreen in a rotating carousel, and a Swype-style
keyboard is a real boon.
Battery life
The Nexus 10 has a 33.3Wh battery, which promises up to nine
hours of continuous video playback. The tablet has plenty of stamina: even with
moderate to heavy use, we were able to go a solid few days between
charges.
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Info
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Price: From $479
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Company: Google
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Website: play.google.com
Pros
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Incredible screen
·
Fast performance
·
Great build quality
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Low price
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Micro USB charger
·
Latest Android software
Cons
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No storage expansion
Specifications
·
10.1in (2560x1600) capacitive multitouch screen
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Android 4.2 Jelly Bean
·
1.7GHZ Exynos 5250 dual-core
processor
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MaliT604 graphics
·
2GB RAM
·
16GB storage
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802.11b/g/n
·
Bluetooth
·
NFC
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5Mp, 1.9Mp cameras
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Micro USB
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Micro HDMI
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3.5mm headphone jack
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33.3Wh lithium-polymer battery
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264x178x8.9mm
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603g
Verdict
·
Easily the best 10in Android tablet we’ve seen. Those looking
for an alternative to the iPad need look no further
·
Ratings: 4.5/5
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