The tablet Nexus 9 It is already a reality as you know We indicate in Android Help, and therefore it is time to carry out a technical comparison to "face" two of its greatest rivals in the Android tablet market: the Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4 and the Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact. In this way, it will be possible to know if Google and HTC have succeeded in the launch of the new device.
The truth is that the Nexus 9 is a very capable tablet and that it comes with different sections that make it really interesting. One of them is, of course, the operating system since the new Google model arrives on the market with Android Lollipop, something that Neither of the other two offers it from the factory and which, by the way, is normal considering its time on the market. This translates into Material Design, better memory management and the jump to ART as runtime, something that the Tegra K1 of the Nexus 9 takes advantage especially well.
Screen
The truth is that the commitment of the three manufacturers to offer a good quality of visualization is high. Obviously there are differences when it comes to size, 8,9 the Nexus 9, 8.4 the Galaxy Tab S and eight the Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact, which also affects its dimensions and shows that each of the manufacturers is committed to a somewhat different way when presenting their models, but always thinking about high portability.
If we stick to pixel density, which can be a more than acceptable scale to establish a display quality, it must be said that Google's model offers 281 dpi here, which is not bad, but is clearly outperformed by Samsung's device that reaches 359 dpi, which is pretty impressive for a tablet. On the other hand, the Sony product achieves a mark of 283, which places it slightly above the new Google tablet (and no, we have not missed indicating the resolution of each screen, something that can be seen in a table that we leave at the end of this article).
To finish commenting on interesting sections of the screens of these models, it must be said that the protection of this is fully assured. Options like Gorilla Glass are present, so there are no problems of any kind in this section. A final detail, it should be noted that both Google and Sony integrate LCD panels, while Samsung has used a SuperAMOLED of its own manufacture that is the best that exists today.
Expanding the perspective with additional data, the Nexus 9 adopts a 4 format: 3 (2048 x 1536) ideal for reading and browsing, while the Galaxy Tab S 8.4 and Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact focus on 16:10 (2560 x 1600 and 1920 x 1200, respectively), more video-oriented. The Samsung also boasts a frontal exploitation far superior, with more contained frames that favor multimedia use. In color reproduction, Super AMOLED shines with a almost infinite contrast and configurable color profiles, while the IPS panels of Nexus and Sony stand out for their color fidelity and tone stability at wide angles.
Main hardware
Here there are clear differences between the three models. Each of them has chosen a different processor, but the most striking is the one included in the Nexus 9, since we are talking about a component that uses 64-bit architecture (an Nvidia Tegra K1), making it a completely new addition to the Android universe, making it one of its biggest draws in terms of hardware. It's also worth noting that this SoC has two Denver cores running at 2,3 GHz. Therefore, it's not lacking in muscle, and we believe Google's product is the best in this department.
The other two tablets they are not "handicapped" precisely, but they do not have as attractive processors as the Nexus 9. The Galaxy Tab S 8.4 integrates an Exynos 5 5420 model with eight cores (1,9 and 1,3 GHz) that does not work at all bad and does not offer any problem with the applications. For its part, the Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact has inside a 801 GHz Snapdragon 2,5, widely used and that has amply demonstrated its capacity.
Regarding the amount of RAM, it must be said that the Nexus 9 is the only one that offers 2 GB. This a while ago would be a good sign, but the truth is that the other two models have 1 GB more, so it is possible that this causes that in some occasions, as for example in multitasking jobs, there are differences.
To finish indicating the details regarding memory, as regards internal storage, both the Nexus 9 and Samsung's offer two capacities (16 and 32 Gb), while Sony's remains in a single option: 16 GB. Of course, the latter and the Galaxy Tab S 8.4, allow you to use microSD cards.
Going deeper into the technical and graphic section, the Nexus 9 mounts GPU Kepler (192 cores) with support for OpenGL 4.x, very competent in 3D tasks and hardware acceleration. The Galaxy Tab S 8.4 relies on Mali-T628 MP6, a capable graphics engine for gaming and high-resolution video decoding. The Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact relies on Adreno 330, balanced in consumption and performance. In synthetic tests of its time, Tegra K1 stands out in single core and graphic loads, while Exynos 5420 and Snapdragon 801 compete very well in multicore and general fluency.
In wireless connectivity, all three models feature dual-band Wi-Fi with 802.11ac and Bluetooth 4.x. The Nexus 9 adds 2 × 2 MIMO to improve speed and stability on compatible networks. Samsung and Sony offer variants with LTE and, in the case of Sony, extras like NFC and support MHL for wired video output. The Galaxy Tab S 8.4's fingerprint reader provides extra security and quick access, and Sony adds its renowned integration with Remote Play for PlayStation, a feature highly appreciated by console users.
Other final details
There are other details that must be taken into account when evaluating the new Nexus 9 against its rivals. An example of this is the battery charge, where the Google model leaves the rest very far and is the best without any discussion (beware, it is also the largest, so this must be taken into account). The reason is that your component has a charge of 6.700 mAh, while the Samsung tablet reaches 4.900 and Sony's 4.500. There is no question about the winner.
Additionally, it is necessary to indicate differential options offered by each of the models. For example, the Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact has IP 68 protection, making it resistant to water and dust. And, yes, all tablets include stereo speakers and rear cameras that reach 8 megapixels, so the multimedia section is quite good.
Here it is worth expanding with practical elements of everyday life. In design, the Galaxy Tab S 8.4 is very slim (6,6 mm) and light (around 294-298 g), with a textured polycarbonate finish. The Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact is even slimmer (6,4 mm) and weighs about 270 g, with a combination of glass, plastic and metal that conveys solidity, in addition to its certification IP65 / IP68The Nexus 9 is more robust in size and battery, with a thickness of about 7,95 mm and weight around 425-436 g depending on the version, soft touch casing and metal frame discreet; in return, it incorporates the well-known front speakers HTC BoomSound, far superior in stage and volume.
In cameras, the three proposals rely on rear sensors of 8 SM with opening f / 2.4 and video 1080p. Sony provides tools such as HDR, creative modes, and touch focus with good results outdoors; Samsung offers a versatile and sharp app in well-lit scenes; and the Nexus 9 is adequate for casual use. The front cameras vary between 1,6 and 2,2 MP, sufficient for video calls. In audio and video, Samsung and Sony support advanced profiles and codecs (including aptX via Bluetooth in the case of Sony and a wide compatibility of video formats), and the Samsung also stands out for its AMOLED panel when consuming HDR content and dark scenes.
In software, the Nexus 9 starts with Lollipop factory, which guarantees a refined environment, with ART optimized for 64 bits and a consistent tablet interface. The Galaxy Tab S 8.4 adds its own features such as Multi Window to split screen and productivity utilities from Samsung, while Sony complements Android with its multimedia suite and PlayStation integrationIf you value clean, fast updates, the Nexus 9 has the advantage; if you're looking for split-screen multitasking and user profiles, the Tab S is very complete; and if you prioritize the accessory ecosystem, durability, and remote gaming, the Z3 Tablet Compact offers a unique package.
In security and authentication, the fingerprint sensor The Galaxy Tab S 8.4 allows you to lock your device and authorize purchases; the Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact, with its IP68, makes it easy to use in demanding environments (beach, pool, kitchen) without worrying about splashes; and the Nexus 9, while more traditional in biometrics, makes up for it with its front-facing sound and sustained power.
If we talk about physical connectivity, all three incorporate microUSB 2.0 for data and charging; the Sony adds MHL via adapter to output video to a TV, and Samsung and Sony support USB OTG to read external memory. In location, GPS with GLONASS is present in the trio, ensuring quick fixes and reliable navigation.
The absence of a slot microSD on the Nexus 9 is the most notable concession: if you work with large files or like to carry your local media library, the 128 GB The expandable display of the Tab S 8.4 and Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact offer a clear advantage. In return, the Nexus makes up for it with very high graphics performance, ideal for demanding 3D games and apps, and its screen-to-battery ratio gives it ample battery life for reading and browsing.
Whoever seeks the best screen For movies and series and an extremely compact format, the Galaxy Tab S 8.4 is hard to beat; if you prioritize extreme lightness, durability and Sony ecosystem, the Z3 Tablet Compact is the most all-rounder; if you want sustained power, front-facing speakers, and polished Android from the first boot, the Nexus 9 is a better fit. All this without forgetting that preferences for format (4:3 vs. 16:10), fingerprint reader, microSD expansion, or IP resistance can tip the balance depending on your use.
Here is a table with a summary of the more interesting features of the Nexus 9 and the other two models that we have included in this technical comparison.
With all of the above, the trio offers a high-level experience, each with its own strengths: outstanding screens, distinctive finishes and extras, and performance that's still fully valid for browsing, gaming, studying, or light work. Choosing the right one depends on what you value most: battery life, form factor, audio, expansion, and durability.
