Nexus 7 (2012)
The first-generation Nexus 7 is a mini tablet computer co-developed by Google and Asus that runs the Android operating system. It is the first tablet in the Google Nexus series of Android consumer devices marketed by Google and built by an original equipment manufacturer partner. The Nexus 7 features a 7.0-inch (180 mm) display, an Nvidia Tegra 3 quad-core chip, 1 GB of RAM, Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity, and 8, 16 or 32 GB of storage. The tablet was the first device to ship with version 4.1 of Android, nicknamed "Jelly Bean". By emphasizing the integration of the Google Play multimedia store with Android 4.1, Google intended to market the Nexus 7 as an entertainment device and a platform for consuming e-books, television shows, films, games, and music.
| Codename | Grouper (Wi-Fi only version) Tilapia (GSM version) |
|---|---|
| Developer | Google, Asus |
| Manufacturer | Asus |
| Product family | Google Nexus |
| Type | Tablet computer |
| Generation | 1st generation |
| Release date | July 13, 2012 (Australia and United States) |
| Discontinued | 8 GB: October 2012 All models: July 24, 2013 |
| Units sold | 7 million (as of July 2013) |
| Operating system | Original: Android 4.1 "Jelly Bean" Current: Android 5.1.1 "Lollipop" |
| CPU | ARM Cortex-A9 Nvidia Tegra 3 T30L 1.2 GHz quad-core (1.3 GHz single-core mode) 1 MB L2 cache |
| Memory | 1 GB RAM DDR3L |
| Storage | 8, 16, or 32 GB |
| Display | 7.0 in (180 mm) 1280 × 800 (16∶10, 216 px/in) IPS LCD, scratch resistant Corning Fit glass 10-point capacitive touchscreen |
| Graphics | 416 MHz twelve-core Nvidia GeForce ULP |
| Sound | MP3, WAV, eAAC+, WMA |
| Input | GPS, microphone, gyroscope, accelerometer, magnetometer |
| Camera | 1.2 MP front-facing HD (720p) resolution (mod required) |
| Connectivity | 3.5 mm headphone jack, Bluetooth 3.0, Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n @ 2.4 GHz), NFC, Micro USB 2.0, docking pins; 3G (HSPA+) only in selected models |
| Power | Internal rechargeable non-removable lithium-ion polymer 4,325 mAh 16 Wh battery |
| Online services | Google Play |
| Dimensions | 198.5 mm × 120 mm × 10.56 mm (7.81 in × 4.72 in × 0.42 in) |
| Mass | 340 g (12 oz) |
| Successor | Nexus 7 (2013) |
| Website | www |
Design work on the Nexus 7 began in January 2012 after a meeting between Google and Asus executives at International CES. The device's design was based on Asus' Eee Pad MeMO ME370T tablet that had been showcased at the conference. Following a hectic four-month development period during which the device was modified to reach a US$199 price point, mass production started in May. It was unveiled at the Google I/O annual developer conference on June 27, when it also became available for pre-order through Google Play. Shipping commenced in mid-July 2012 to Australia, Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom, before the tablet was progressively released in other regions. Google expanded the Nexus 7 lineup in October 2012 with the introduction of 32 GB versions, available in Wi-Fi–only and HSPA+ cellular-ready varieties.
The Nexus 7 received positive reviews from critics, particularly for its competitive pricing, premium-quality build, and powerful hardware. Common criticisms included the absence of cellular connectivity from initial models and no expandable storage. The Nexus 7 has been commercially successful, selling approximately 4.5–4.6 million units in 2012 and 7 million units overall. It received honors for "Gadget of the Year" and "Tablet of the Year" in T3 magazine's 2012 awards, and was also named "Best Mobile Tablet" at the 2013 Global Mobile Awards. The second generation Nexus 7 was released on July 26, 2013.