Google Nexus 9 vs Apple iPad Air 2 Comparison: Which Tablet to Choose?

Apple and Google, the world's top tech companies, are now releasing new tablets that might be included in your year-ending holiday wish list: the Apple iPad Air 2 and Google Nexus 9.

As two of the most sought-after tablets in the market today, one might wonder which one is the better buy. Here's a roundup comparative review between the new iPad Air 2 and the Nexus 9.

Design

There's that huge difference between the two devices when it comes to design. The iPad Air 2 has a slimmer bezel and an extremely thin profile. The Nexus 9, on the other hand, comes with a larger bezel on either side of the screen with a matte finish on the back. Its sides, meanwhile, are made up of brushed metal.

Processor

Both tech companies claim that their devices houses high-power processors and this aspect could prove to be hard to differentiate. The Cupertino-based product comes with the new A8x processor with a triple-core 64-bit architecture that clocked at 1.5 GHz.

Google's device, meanwhile boasts a 2.3 GHz 64-bit Nvidia Tegra K1 processor paired with a 2MB of RAM. It has to be noted that both tablets score really well in benchmark tests.

OS

Another aspect to decide from is the operating system. The Nexus 9 runs on the latest Android 5.0 Lollipop while the iPad Air 2 has iOS 8 under the hood.

Storage-Wise

There are those who might want to consider the amount of files they want to store in their device. iPad Air 2 has 3 variants to choose from: 16-, 64-, and 128GB internal storage capacity versions. The Nexus, meanwhile, has two flavors – 16GB and 32 GB.

Camera

Google's Nexus has 8 MP rear-facing camera coupled with a 1.6 MP front snapper. The Apple tablet, on the other hand, also has an 8 MP iSight rear camera complemented with a 1.2 MP front lens.

Screen Sizes

Talking about screen sizes, Apple's tablet soared at 9.7-incher screen while the Nexus 9 comes with an 8.9-inch display.

Prices

For those who often base their decision from what their wallet says, then the choice could be very clear.

The iPad Air 2, as reported, now sells at $499 for its 16GB, WiFi-only model. Higher versions mean price tags as high as $829.