From 2012 through the end of 2014, Google partnered with mobile device manufacturers to release a series of tablets in the Google Nexus line. In total, three different manufacturers—ASUS, Samsung and HTC—partnered with Google to develop the Nexus tablets. Unfortunately, these tablets didn’t last long, as they were discontinued at the end of 2014. However, you can still get your hands on a Google Nexus tablet and experience firsthand the quality that comes from a tablet made by Google.

Because there are four different Google Nexus tablets, you might have a tough time deciding on the right model for you. Older models are cheaper but offer less modern operating system upgradeability and weaker hardware. The newer Nexus models are good, but they cost more than you might be willing to spend on an older tablet. If you need some help deciding on the best option for your needs, take a look at our list of the best Google Nexus tablets you can buy in 2018.

Google Nexus Tablet FAQs

1. Who makes Google Nexus tablets?

Although Nexus tablets are marketed under the Google name, they are actually manufactured by a third party to combine the powers of two great tech companies. Two of the tablets were made by ASUS, one was made by Samsung and the other was made by HTC.

2. Are Google Nexus tablets outdated?

As far as hardware goes, Google Nexus tablets are powerful enough to keep up with most of the entry-level and mid-level tablets on the market today. Where these tablets really fall short is their operating system support; even the newest version of the Google Nexus tablet can only be upgraded to Android Nougat 7.1.1, the 2016 release of the Android operating system.

3. What sizes are available for Google Nexus tablets?

Since there are just four different Nexus tablets, you don’t have a ton of options when it comes to display size. There are two different Google Nexus 7 tablets which feature 7-inch displays, the Google Nexus 10 which features a 10.1-inch display and the Google Nexus 9 which features an 8.9-inch display.

4. How do I choose a Google Nexus tablet?

Features to look for in a Google Nexus tablet include a powerful processor and graphics processing unit, plenty of memory and enough storage to handle your apps, music, pictures and videos. You should also look for a tablet with a good camera and a battery that can last for a long time so you aren’t constantly plugged in. If you’re buying one of the cellular-enabled models, make sure you find one with support for the newer cellular technology like 4G LTE.

5. Are Google Nexus tablets expensive?

It’s hard to talk about the price of Google Nexus tablets because they’re all discontinued, so you won’t find many new ones for sale. Instead, you’ll have to determine the current price of the tablet you’re interested in by shopping around a bit.

6. What does “out of support” mean?

Because the Google Nexus tablets are no longer being manufactured and distributed, they are now considered out of support. This means that Google no longer provides official support for the products, which includes providing updates and hotfixes. This is why these tablets are only able to upgrade to a certain outdated version of the Android OS.

How We Reviewed

Looking at Nexus tablets is a little bit different from looking at other tablets. Because these tablets are a bit older and are now discontinued, we looked at some unusual factors to aid us in making our decision. One big thing you have to consider when buying a Google Nexus tablet is the Android version that comes loaded on it and the Android version that it can be upgraded to. While you can still use a tablet that doesn’t have the newest Android operating system, the older your operating system is, the less likely you are to find apps that actually work with it.

We also looked at cellular support because some of these models are a bit old. In fact, the Google Nexus 10 doesn’t even have a cellular option. These are the types of things you’ll want to look at with older tablets because buying something that’s too outdated could end up being a waste of money depending on what you want to do with it.

Overall Price Range

Like we mentioned earlier, it’s difficult to give exact numbers when it comes to Nexus tablet prices because you’re not likely to find many brand new options for sale. Even if you do find one, you might end up paying more than the retail price because new Nexus tablets are rare at this point. However, the MSRP on each tablet at its release can help to give you some idea of how expensive these tablets are.

The cheapest Nexus tablet, the Google Nexus 7 from 2012, was priced at $199 brand new. The most expensive tablet, the Nexus 10, was priced at $499 and was the model with the most storage included. As you can see from this example, the main thing you get by spending more money on a Google Nexus tablet is a larger display. However, that doesn’t paint the full picture. A larger display means a larger tablet, which means there’s a lot more room for hardware. Larger tablets often have more powerful processors, more memory, and larger batteries than tablets that are designed primarily for portability.

The Verdict

There may be better Android alternatives to a Google Nexus tablet, but there aren’t other Google tablets. If you want to experience the power of Google inside a tablet, buying one of these older tablets is the only way to go. Aside from that, there are still some viable options like the Nexus 9 and the 2013 Nexus 7, so investing in one of these newer Nexus tablets isn’t a bad idea if you’re looking for a powerful, sleek and unique tablet from a top-tier brand.