We have tested the tablet Nexus 9 and we already have enough experience of use to have a fairly accurate opinion of what it offers. To begin with, it must be said that this is a model that shows seamless performance, and that therefore using it becomes a satisfactory experience.
The truth is that the collaboration of Google and HTC has borne good results, since there is something that is undoubted: the Nexus 9 It is one of the best tablets on the market and, in particular, it is capable of playing games with great speed of execution - this is the case regardless of whether the title used is with three-dimensional images or not. The reason for this is your processor Nvidia Tegra K1, that works perfectly and that combined with its 2 GB of RAM ensures excellent performance (although there is some “lag” when opening the applications, to our surprise).
Hardware and specifications that make the difference
The heart of the team is the Tegra K1 Denver 64-bit with dual-core CPU and high frequencies, accompanied by a 192-core Kepler GPU. This translates into a great capacity for 3D graphics and in very high figures in benchmarks such as AnTuTu (above 58.000), 3DMark Ice Storm Unlimited (maximum in test 720p/1080p) or PCMark Work (around 5.800 points). The set is completed with 2 GB of RAM and storage of 16 / 32 GB without microSD slot.
- Screen: panels IPS 8,9 inch, 2048 x 1536 pixels (4:3 format) and protection Gorilla Glass 3.
- Cameras: rear of 8 SM f/2.4 with autofocus and LED flash; front of 1,6 SM for video calls.
- Connectivity: Wireless 802.11 a / b / g / n / ac (2×2 MIMO), Bluetooth 4.x, NFC, GPS + GLONASS, USB 2.0 OTG.
- Dimensions and weight: 226,1 x 153,7 x 7,9 mm; 425 gr (WiFi version).
- Battery: 6.700 mAh with efficient Android management and saving mode.
Design and finishes: balance between aluminum and polycarbonate
El metal frame provides rigidity and good feel, while the rear part in matte plastic improves grip. The front is sober, with front stereo speakers BoomSound well integrated. There are some details worth watching out for: power/volume buttons could be improved and a slight twist if you press the back cover. Still, the overall feel in the hand is comfortable for extended reading and browsing.
4:3 display oriented towards productivity
The panel IPS 8,9-inch with 2048 x 1536 pixels offers very good viewing angles, balanced colors or with a high brightness (around 500 lux) sufficient for outdoor use. The format 4:3 is ideal for read, browse and work, although black bands appear in the video. In some units it can be seen light bleeding (light leaks) in the frames, common in IPS, without seriously affecting daily use.
Real-life performance, games, and temperatures
In practical tests the tablet runs demanding titles like Asphalt, Riptide or first-person shooters with ease, benefiting from the GPU Kepler. In the interface there is slight delay occasional crash when opening the recent apps view, which we attribute to the software optimization already the transition to 64 bits. Under sustained load, the heat is concentrated near the camera, where a copper heatsink distributes the temperature; surface measurements remain at values comfortable for the hand.
Then we leave you the capture of the result obtained in PC Mark, and that shows that good operation is the predominant note when using this tablet:
Now it is the turn of the video, in which as usual we run AnTuTu (where the Nexus 9 achieves an exceptional score) and, in addition, you will discover some bugs that we have found in the tablet. The most important are the light leaks through the frames from the screen and that the rear plastic casing -the side is made of metal- twists excessively when pressed:
Software: Pure Android, Material Design, and useful features
Android Lollipop arrives with Material Design, ART as runtime, improved notifications y Smart Lock (unlocking by trusted devices). Interesting activation by double touch on screen and the O by voice even with the screen off. Support is appreciated. USB OTG for storage and usb audio, and compatibility with aptX in Bluetooth audio depending on the device. Some apps still don't scale perfectly to 4:3, something that is improving with updates.
Camera and multimedia
The rear of 8 MP f / 2.4 with LED flash performs well in good light, but indoors it appears noise due to the high ISO. The native app is simple and doesn't offer Native RAW, although third-party apps allow controls manuals (focus, ISO, exposure). The BoomSound speakers frontals provide costumes y stereo noticeable in games and movies, with slight bass boosts that benefit cinema and gaming.
Autonomy and other details
The autonomy of the Nexus 9 is convincing, although not spectacular. Therefore, it complies without problems if we consider that we are talking about a high-end tablet. Regarding the design, it must be said that in some applications it is appreciated that its panel is 4: 3, but the truth is that it takes some getting used to if a panoramic model has already been used. The side lines are smooth and the external appearance is striking.
In figures, the mixed-use profile with medium brightness exceeds the 8 hours long. in PCMark and is close to 10 hours long. in browsing and video. In demanding games it can go down to 3-4 horas due to CPU/GPU load. The load complete with the included adapter is slow (around 5 hours), given its low-current charger; a higher-amperage charger speeds up times. saving mode Android helps stretch the last bit of battery life.
Connectivity and sensors
It includes WiFi ac dual band with good range, Bluetooth 4.x, NFC, GPS + GLONASS y USB OTG. It does not have an exit via MHL/Slimport; the support of Miracast is limited and the experience is enhanced with chromecastIn sensors, in addition to an accelerometer, gyroscope and compass, it incorporates barometer and step detection via motion sensors, integrable with Google Fit.
It is available in variants WiFi y LTE, with 16 / 32 GB. It can be accompanied by a keyboard cover with magnets and a basic sheet of paper. The 4: 3 screen, graphics performance and the front audio They focus on both leisure and light productivity; in return there is slow charge, basic camera software y light leaks in some units. The overall performance makes this a model suitable for the most demanding, as they will not be disappointed at all.
