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The sequel to Google’s cracking little Nexus 7 tablet, the Nexus 7 II, is rocketing towards an official launch, with a cache of specs, pics and loads of other details leaked to Google fansite Android Central.
Again built by Asus, the slate retains its 7-inch screen but adds a 5-megapixel snapper on the back, so you can be one of those people, awkwardly taking photos with your tablet. There’s a 1.2-megapixel camera on the front too, for hi-def video calls.
The model number ‘ME571K_PR1_SKU2’ indicates there’ll be at least two versions, which would correspond with the previous model’s 16GB and 32GB versions. 4G options have popped up too in previous rumours.
That’s backed up by price info, also leaked to Android Central, that reckons the two Wi-Fi only models will set US punters back $229 and $269 — about £150 and £180 (plus VAT, remember). I’d expect it to be a little more expensive than the current Nexus 7, which starts at £159.
Inside there’s a similar quad-core chip to last time, but RAM seems to have been bumped up to 4GB. Fingers crossed that’s accurate.
Overall it looks like a pretty samey package to last year’s model, just without the textured back, and adding that fairly pointless rear camera. If these specs are all accurate, I can’t see much reason to upgrade — but if the price stays under £200, it’ll still be one of the best value Android tablets around.
As for release date, Google has just invited journalists to an event on 24 July, which we’re expecting to be the unveiling of Android 4.3. Nexus devices having traditionally been launched alongside new versions of the Big G’s mobile software, it would make perfect sense to see the Nexus 7 II there too.
What do you make of the Nexus 7 II? Barebones Android bargain? Or not enough of an improvement? Share your thinking down in the comments, or over on our back-to-basics Facebook page.
Image credit: Android Central
