The new Nexus 7 tablet has just been officially unveiled, and while it might share a name with its predecessor it proves to be a significant upgrade. Let's take a look at all of the new features that the new Google tablet brings. As expected, Google is using its new Nexus 7 tablet to push its latest Android 4.3 Jelly Bean OS, but in an unusual move for the company it's the hardware that draws the most attention here. The new Google Nexus 7 may still be an affordable entry point to the tablet market, but it also boasts a couple of truly cutting edge components that will have rivals sweating. One thing looks extremely likely - Apple is going to have to come up with something pretty special with the iPad mini 2 if it's to retain the "top compact tablet" title. New Nexus 7 screen The undoubted highlight of the new Google Nexus 7 is its display. While it shares exactly the same 7-inch size and 16:10 aspect ratio with the preceding model, it takes a massive step forward in visual fidelity. Out goes the first Nexus 7's respectable 1280 x 800 resolution, and in comes a class-leading 1920 x 1200 upgrade. That's an increase in pixel density from 216ppi to 323ppi. Among other things, this will enable native Full HD 1080p video playback for the first time ever on a 7-inch tablet. Google also claims that the web browsing experience will benefit, as you won't have to zoom in to read text. The new Nexus 7's display should prove to be as vibrant as it is sharp, with Google claiming that it's capable of outputting a 30 percent wider range of colors. New Nexus 7 processor and memory While the original Google Nexus 7 was no slouch, the new model represents a sizeable step forward in performance. Its 1.5GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 CPU provides almost double the processing power of the original, while the attendant Adreno 320 GPU ramps up the graphical performance fourfold. These are backed up by 2GB of RAM, which is double the amount provided in last year's Nexus 7 debut. New Nexus 7 storage The range of storage options in the new Google Nexus 7 matches that of last year's model. That means a choice of 16GB or 32GB models at launch. Google ditched the initial 8GB option relatively early in the original Nexus 7's lifespan, so we're neither surprised nor disappointed to see the lack of one here. Still, a larger 64GB model would have been nice - especially with all of that HD content that you'll no doubt want to experience on your new Nexus. New Nexus 7 cameras Another major new hardware component found in the new Nexus 7 is a 5-megapixel rear-facing camera. We say it's a major addition not because it will be an important or particularly accomplished feature (we're still not sold on the whole taking pictures with a tablet thing), but because the previous model didn't have one at all. The front-facing camera is, once again, a 1.2-megapixel example, so you probably won't see a huge difference in the quality of your video calls. New Nexus 7 dimensions Despite its extra power, cutting edge screen and all-new camera module, the new Google Nexus 7 will be smaller and lighter than the first generation device. It's almost 2mm thinner than the 10.56mm original Nexus 7, while the new device's side bezels shave off 3mm each to make it (you guessed it) 6mm narrower overall. All this trimming has done wonders for the new Google Nexus 7's weight, dropping 50 grams compared to its predecessor. New Nexus 7 software As we mentioned in the intro, Google is using the new Google Nexus 7 to debut its Android 4.3 mobile OS. This isn't the next generation Key Lime Pie upgrade that many are looking forward to - we're still firmly in Jelly Bean territory here. Sure enough, the list of improvements is relatively meager and unexciting, and we'll deal with them in detail in a separate feature. To summarize, Android 4.3 brings restricted profiles, Bluetooth Smart support, OpenGL ES 3.0 for advanced 3D graphics, and new DRM APIs that will enable you to stream more true 1080p content to your tablet - all the better to show off the new Nexus 7's 1080p display. New Nexus 7 battery life The price you usually have to pay for more power and sharper screens is an inferior battery life, but that's not the case here. Google reckons you'll actually be able to squeeze an extra hour of usage out of a single charge of the new Google Nexus 7. This translates to nine hours of high definition video playback and 10 hours of web browsing. New Google Nexus 7 connectivity As befits a device designed by a company that specializes in web services, the new Google Nexus 7 is one well-connected tablet. Each device supports dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, as well as Bluetooth 4.0, HDMI (through an adapter) and NFC. The top model even supports 4G LTE, which is an advance over the 3G-only first generation. We'll have to wait to see if this makes its way over to U.K. with its fledgling 4G ecosystem. New Nexus 7 release date As you might have expected, the new Google Nexus 7 will debut in its home territory. It'll be available to buy in the U.S. from July 30 through the Google Play Store and a number of leading U.S. retailers. In fact, Google will use more physical outlets than ever before to push its new toy, so we're hopeful that it will do likewise here in the U.K. Speaking of which, other key territories, including the U.K., Germany, South Korea, Japan, France, Spain, Canada and Australia will receive the new Google Nexus 7 in the coming weeks. New Nexus 7 price We don't have any U.K. or European pricing as yet, but we do know that the new Google Nexus 7 will start from $229 for the 16GB model in the U.S. That's $30 more than the previous device, though it packs a much bigger technological punch. Meanwhile, the 32GB Wi-Fi model will cost $269 and the 32GB LTE model will set U.S. customers back $349. Related Stories Are you there, Acer? If you refresh the Iconia W3, could you fix its screen? Take cover: The Nexus 7 2 is leaking all over the place Drowning at the Surface: RT tablet hits Microsoft where it hurts Intel teases Haswell chips in fanless tablets by the end of the year Reaction: TechRadar Reacts: New Nexus 7
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