Google Nexus 9 vs. iPad Air 2 Reviews and Updates: Nexus Wins at Pixel Density while Air 2 has Better Memory Capacity and Touch ID

By Mike Emaneke Oct 16, 2014 07:56 PM EDT

Google Nexus 9 vs. iPad Air 2 Reviews and Updates: Nexus Wins at Pixel Density while Air 2 has Better Memory Capacity and Touch ID

Apple took the wraps of the new iPad Air 2 as well as the iPad Mini 3 in a press conference held at the Cupertino headquarters in California today. We saw that many of the specs have in fact not really changed from the predecessor, for the iPad Air 2, that is. The display is the same and so is the 8 MP camera. It runs on a proprietary 64-bit A8X which makes the thinnest and fastest tablet from the tech giant yet. This comes on the heels of Google's latest introduction to battle the iPhone, the Nexus 9. Apparently the device is also supposed to serve as an attractive alternate to the Air 2. It comes available with the latest Android 5.0 software, or Lollipop, so to speak.

The Nexus comes available with a slightly smaller display at 8.9-inches. The Air 2 Display is set at 9.7 inches with a 2,048x1,536-pixel resolution same to the Nexus 9. The iPad Air 2 runs on the recently released iOS 8.0 while the Google Nexus 9 runs on an Android 5.0, also recently released. At this time, we still do not have enough information to distinguish superiority here because both have so far proved formidable. The rear facing camera, comes available as a 8-megapixel with 1080p HD video capabilities in both devices.

The Nexus beats the Air 2 slightly as the front facing camera is 1.2 MP while the Nexus has a 1.6 MP sensor. The memory capacity for the iPad Air 2 is 16GB, 64GB and 128GB while that of the Nexus is 16GB and 32GB so the iPad Air 2 definitely wins this round. Both of the devices do not come available with external memory capabilities. The pixel density concerning the display of the devices is favored toward the Nexus which has 288 ppi as compared to 264 ppi for the iPad Air 2. However, the Air 2 comes available with Touch ID fingerprint sensors, while the Nexus does not have such a platform. On the overall, both of the devices match up as the specs are not all that different and advantages on both sides otherwise cancel each other in some way or other.