Gadgetory

if you can't decide between the new Nexus and the new iPad you're probably hung up on one of two factors ecosystem or price nothing we say here will change the fact that the Nexus 9 is about $100 cheaper and if you're already invested in Apple's or androids walled garden the decision is already made based on which smartphone you're carrying again probably but if you're thinking about jumping platforms or if this will be your first tablet there are a few differences worth discussing I'm Michael Fisher this is PocketNow and this is iPad air 2 versus Nexus 9 here does nothing if you're buying based on build well there's no comparison here get the iPad as we set in our full nexus 9 review HTC makes beautiful smartphones but with tablets well when Google is calling the shots the output is merely adequate the Nexus 9s soft touch coated plastic is more durable and you'll feel less guilty about beating it up but it shows smudges more easily and the black version has a lot of give to it from button travel to fit and finish there's none of the attention to detail that makes the thinner sleeker iPad air - such a pleasure to use the iPads screen is not quite as sharp but it is larger and while they're both IPS panels the iPads anti-reflective coating makes it easier to read in bright light while the Nexus 9 can be awakened with a handy DoubleTap the ipad packs a fingerprint sensor built into a tome key that lets you unlock just as easily and adds a different flavor of security in the process the Nexus 9 does score some points here it bears repeating that it's more comfortable to use in the sense that it's slightly smaller and you don't worry as much about tossing it around other advantages like HTC's signature front firing speakers do give it more traction and it's Tegra processor is more powerful in some tests than the iPads a 8 X but Android specs always outshine apples and it seldom makes a difference in real-world performance plus the iPads speakers though side firing can actually hold their own here we prefer HTC's placement and added bass yes the Nexus 9 wins this one no question but the difference doesn't make for a deal-breaker in the tablet world hardware is less than half the story Android lollipop is version 5 of Google's mobile platform while iOS is Apple's eighth revision what we're trying to say is they're both very refined if you're already an iPhone owner you'll be much more at home with the iPad and ditto in Reverse obvious comparison is obvious in some ways the Nexus 9 gets to make up ground against the iPad here as always Android is more adaptable than iOS because of things like home screen widgets and a robust sharing framework you can move into it a little more fully and lollipop adds flair to that utility with so many of the little cosmetic touches that Android ignored for years all that attention to detail the Nexus 9 hardware lacks well it's a nexus so Google has built it into the software instead want to know the weather or your appointments for the day ask the Nexus 9 without even touching it okay what's on my end of today you have a calendar entry today at 7:30 p.m. the title is real things yeah the iPad can do that too but only if it's plugged in and Siri is not as smart as Google now what's the distance to the Crosstown de Ferry Terminal in New London 111 point the trial Google now itself is also a great mix of relevant information and borderline creepy predictive powers and androids multiple user support means sharing the Nexus 9 with a friend or family member is much more customizable than it is on the iPad and if you don't like how android looks on the Nexus 9 you can use a variety of solutions to change it again that's one of the big strengths of Android where the iPad shines brighter is in some new areas like continuity which lets you carry communications like phone calls and texts across phone tablet and desktop and that classic ecosystem advantage of Apple's apps the App Store might be a pain to navigate with its constant password challenges and both the App Store and the Play Store feature of millions of titles but apples market still packs more tablet optimized titles than the Google Play Store does it's not just optimization that keeps Apple on top in the performance category the company's top-down control of the whole stack means that games for example have to work on the new iPad to be listed in the App Store on the other side the Nexus 9s Tegra k1 processor is non-standard for Android devices and that means that it's not at all guaranteed to run every app you ask it to this is the price Android pays for having a more diverse Hardware ecosystem and look it's worth it we love having the choice that the Android world provides but that'll come as little comfort when all you want to do is play a particular can't because if you're powerful but in this case impotent processor also if you're a real game or media hound watch out you can only download up to a 32 gig ceiling on the Nexus meanwhile the iPad offers storage options all the way up to 64 and 128 gigs which helps ease the sting of an iCloud pricing plan stuck in the Stone Age if you take photos with your tablet well good for you it's always nice to meet someone who doesn't care what other people think of them anyway you're not going to come away terribly impressed by the output of either but the iPad bears a slight edge in quality the Nexus 9 brings an LED flash to the table though so if you're taking tablet photos in the club or the coalmine well that's your ticket finally how about battery life well iOS doesn't break down usage in quite the same way Android does but it doesn't matter endurance on each of these is right in keeping with what you'd expect of a full size tablet in 2014 and unlike in the smartphone world that's good news expect to get two to three days of moderate to heavy use out of these Wi-Fi only devices with each promising about 10 hours of continuous movie watching web browsing or other mixed usage it's always the same isn't it choose your ecosystem then choose your hardware and as close as these tablet platforms have gotten to feature parity fundamentally you're still looking at the same choice a locked-down but consistent experience versus a more open but less consistent one if you're talking about platforms there are a ton of reasons to choose Android / io s but this is a comparison specific to two particular tablets and given the substantial gulf in the hardware quality and general polish here it's tough to recommend the Nexus 9 over the iPad air 2 even given the hundred dollar price difference if you're really strapped for cash or you really prefer Android of course go for the Google tablet but for now but we think the iPad air 2 is money better spent there's more to learn about each of these tablets folks so for our full reviews check out the links in the description below be sure to give us a thumbs up and do subscribe if you enjoyed this comparison until next time this has been michael fisher with pocket now captain to phones on twitter inviting your comment your civilized comment down below we'll see you next time you