Although Google's New York event was canceled due to a hurricane, the Mountain View company still unveiled some of the new features in its product line via email notifications. One of them was a tablet with a 10,1-inch screen manufactured by Samsung, called Nexus 10, and is destined to compete with Apple's iPad (which, as life goes, updated its model very recently... oddly enough). If you want to know more, check out All the details of Google's Nexus tablets.
The point is that these are the two products that are expected to dominate the tablet market, with the permission of the rest of the manufacturers, of course, for a while. Therefore, a comparison is more than justified ... although it has to be based on the information provided by both companies, since we haven't been able to test either tablet yet (so we'll skip the scores). To help you decide, in addition to the technical specifications, we've covered price, ecosystem, connectivity and experience, points that often make a real difference in everyday life; you can also see a Nexus 9 comparison.
Hardware
Many new features are available for both tablets in this area, as both products include a SoC that is among the best available in their product range. In the iPad, Apple has updated the chip, and the tablet now features the so-called A6X dual-core, which integrates a GPU inside PowerVR SGX-543MP4 designed to offer a great graphics performance in games and in the interface. The SoC architecture has not been revealed in detail nor its exact frequency, although Apple indicated that its performance is significantly superior to the A6 previous thanks to CPU and GPU optimizations.
The Nexus 10 SoC is a model Exynos 5250 dual-core architecture ARM Cortex-A15Its frequency is confirmed in 1,7 GHz. The GPU is a Mali-T604, designed for highly complex 3D workloads and computing tasks. On paper, the combination of Cortex-A15 and Mali-T604 offers a remarkable raw power, with very competitive peaks in demanding apps.
RAM memory Nexus 10 is 2GB, while the iPad's is around 1 GB. In scenarios with multiple browser tabs, photo editing, or intensive multitasking, the Nexus 10's extra power provides sustained fluidity. For its part, the iPad makes up for it with a iOS optimization which reduces the need for raw power to maintain animations and transitions at 60 fps.
Obviously, exact data cannot be had in terms of experience without face-to-face testing, but on paper and taking into account that the Nexus 10's SoC is faster in general computing and that it has 2 GB of RAM, the theory indicates that its performance should be excellent in multitasking and in heavy apps. On Apple's side, the coordination between hardware and software It is its great weapon: iOS squeezes the A6X with stability and response times that have historically been a reference.
Display and storage
This was an area in which, until now, Apple ruled with an iron fist thanks to its Retina Display. But things have changed with the arrival of the Nexus 10, which offers a truly impressive display. The iPad has a panel of 9,7 inches with a resolution of 2.048 x 1.536 and a density of 264 dpi, while Samsung has included one of its features in the Google model. 10,1 inches to 2.560 x 1.600 y 300 dpiIn pure definition and text clarity, the Android tablet comes out on top.
Beyond the numbers, panel quality aspects come into play: Nexus 10 is betting on Super PLS with protection Gorilla Glass, while the iPad uses an IPS LED backlit with oleophobic coating. In both cases, the viewing angles are wide and the color reproduction is balanced, with the caveat that Apple's color profile is usually more conservative and Samsung's something more vibrantFor extended reading, design, and photo editing, the Nexus 10's extra sharpness is evident in fine typography and small details.
When it comes to storage, both tablets offer 16 and 32 GB models, but for the moment only Apple adds one of 64 GB. In addition, neither of them offers the possibility of using microSD cards natively. In any case, cloud and streaming have reduced the dependence on local storage, although if you manage large libraries video or RAWs, having 64GB on the iPad can be decisive.
Connectivity and cameras
Connectivity is extensive in both models, as WiFi y Bluetooth 4.0 are present. Both support signal enhancement technologies such as MIMO to maximize speed and range on compatible networks. For now, the Nexus 10 is intended as a tablet. WiFi only in its standard configuration, while Apple offers variants WiFi + mobile data with support for 3G and LTE Depending on the market. If mobile connectivity is a requirement, the iPad offers more options from day one; if you move around in environments with Wi-Fi or share the internet from your mobile device, the equation changes in favor of the Nexus 10.
There are also clear differences in physical connections. The iPad adopts the lightning, compact and reversible, with a vast ecosystem of accessories. On the Android side, the Nexus 10 offers MicroUSB standard and MicroHDMI, which facilitates direct video output to TV/monitor without proprietary adapters, in addition to compatibility with NFC to pair accessories and make local payments or transfers. For those who prioritize the versatility with cables and open standards, the Nexus 10 is particularly attractive.
The rear cameras of the iPad and Nexus 10 are 5 megapixels, sufficient for use on a tablet, with recording of Full HD video. On the front, both are compatible with HD for video calls; here the Samsung model has the advantage with 1,9 Mpx against 1,2–1,3 Mpx of the iPad, resulting in a slightly sharper image. In terms of features, you'll find touch focus, face detection, and geolocation on both devices, with the difference that FaceTime It is deeply integrated into iOS while on Android you can choose between several platforms.
Other characteristics to consider
Other interesting aspects include the thickness of the tablets, something that used to favor Apple's model. But again, the story has changed. Nexus 10 has a thickness of 8,9 mm, while iPad 4 marks 9,4 mm. In addition, the model of Google weighs 603 grams, while Apple's is at 652 grams. That is to say, the tablet created by Samsung is thinner and lighter, something that is noticeable when holding it for long sessions of use.
In sound, Nexus 10 incorporates speakers front stereos that project audio toward the user, an advantage in movies and games. The iPad, on the other hand, relies on its chassis engineering to deliver clear, high-volume audio, albeit with lateral projection. They are different approaches: Google's prioritizes forward directionality, Apple's is betting on the cleansing and balance in a single body.
In autonomy, Google promises around 9h in video playback thanks to its battery 9.000 mAh. Apple, for its part, speaks of Up to 10 hours of use, with a battery of approximate equivalent capacity around 11.560 mAh (derived from its watt-hours), although what matters is how that energy is managed. As always, the actual duration depends on multiple variables:
- Brightness of the screen and use of sensors.
- If they remain active WiFi/Bluetooth/NFC.
- Type of use: navigation, 3D games, streaming video, video calls.
- Background downloads, notifications, and cloud sync.
In terms of charging, the iPad's Lightning connector and the Nexus 10's MicroUSB charging have distinct ecosystems. Lightning boasts certified accessories and high-power chargers, while the Nexus 10's MicroUSB is universal and easy to replace in any environment.
Finally, there's the price... which is no small matter. Here Google has gone all out, as it did with the Nexus 7, and its The cheapest model costs 399 in its reference market, while Apple's is priced at 499 in base configuration. Additionally, the iPad's higher-capacity or connectivity versions significantly raise the bill, while the Nexus 10 remains adjusted in priceFor those whose budget is a determining factor, there are 100 difference with equal capacity and connectivity.
Software, ecosystem and user experience
Beyond the hardware, there are two aspects that can tip the balance: price and ecosystem. In terms of price, we've already seen that the Nexus 10 has the advantage. In terms of ecosystem, Apple continues to set the pace with a wide range of optimized apps Specifically for iPad, a consistent aesthetic and highly polished workflows. Productivity, design, music, and education apps take advantage of the iPad's display and APIs with worked interfaces and a pampered performance.
Android, for its part, has evolved with Jelly Bean incorporating significant performance improvements (Project Butter) and, in this generation, functions that change the way you live with the device, such as managing multiple user accounts on a single tablet. This detail makes the Nexus 10 a fantastic option as a family or shared office device. In addition, the integration of google services (Gmail, Drive, Photos, Calendar, YouTube, Maps) is complete, with real-time synchronization and increasingly capable smart search. If you're interested in comparing other models, take a look at the iPad mini vs Nexus 7 comparison.
And the apps? In terms of volume, the stores are very populatedThe difference is not so much in quantity as in quality and adaptation on the big screen. On the iPad, you'll find a high density of custom-made titles; on Android, it's best to choose the developments that best scale to 10 inches. For other Android tablet comparisons, check out the Kindle Fire HD vs Nexus 7 comparison. In return, Android allows you personalize the experience with widgets, launchers, and advanced notification options. Ultimately, if you value the catalog of professional apps and access to third-party accessories, the iPad maintains the advantage; if you prioritize Versatility, multi-user accounts, NFC and a better entry price, the Nexus 10 fits better.
Nexus 10 shines for its ultra-high-resolution display, the thrust of the Exynos 5250, Its 2 GB of RAM, the connections MicroUSB/MicroHDMI, the addition of NFC or with a lowest price. The iPad responds with his A6X, an excellent Retina display, options LTE, the connector lightning, an ecosystem of optimized apps very consolidated and a somewhat greater official autonomy. The best choice will depend on whether you prioritize cost and versatility (Nexus 10) or ecosystem and mobile connectivity (iPad). If you can, try them: your routines, your apps, and your way of working will guide you.
