The latest challenger to Apple's iPad has arrived in the form of Google's Nexus 10, made by Samsung. Updated on 28/01/13.
Unlike the Nexus 7, Nexus 10 is a direct competitor with the iPad and deserves one of our comparison reviews. We've spent a good deal of time testing both devices.
Google will be hoping to outdo the iPad with the Nexus 10 so here's how the two tablet heavyweights stand up to each other.
See also: Google Nexus 10 preview.
See also: iPad 4 review.
Google Nexus 10 vs Apple iPad 4: Price
After the budget friendly price of the Google Nexus 7, it's no surprise that the Nexus 10 is cheaper than the iPad. The Nexus 10 starts at £319 for the 16GB model while the equivalent iPad costs £80 more at £399.
The price gap is slightly bigger for the 32GB models – a gap of £90 with the Nexus 10 at £389 and the iPad at £479.
Google Nexus 10 vs Apple iPad 4: Dimensions
The two tablets are similar in their weights and measurements. The Nexus 10 is 178 x 264mm compared to 186 x 241mm; however it is thinner at 8.9mm against 9.4mm.
If weight is important to you, and it probably is, the Nexus 10 is the lighter tablet. It weighs 603g while the iPad tips the scales at 652g.
Google Nexus 10 vs Apple iPad 4: Screen
Both these tablets offer large screens. The iPad's still the classic Apple 9.7in but the Nexus 10's is marginally bigger at 10.1in. Since its third generation, the iPad uses a 2048 x 1536 Retina quality resolution. However Google has trumped this with 2560 x 1600.
When you crunch the numbers the iPad's display is impressively detailed with a pixel density of 264ppi. The Nexus 10 beats the Retina quality, though, with a whopping 300ppi.
Google Nexus 10 vs Apple iPad 4: Processor and memory
With high res displays, the processor is an important element here. The iPad 4 has an Apple A6X dual-core processor with quad-core graphics. Our benchmarking app tells us that it's clocked at 1.39GHz and the test results were impressive so check out our review for more details.
Google has gone for a similar setup with an ARM Cortex A-15 1.7GHz dual-core processor and a Mali T604 GPU (up to quad-core). We haven't had the Nexus 10 in yet but look out for our review for benchmarks. On the memory side of things the Nexus 10 has twice that of the iPad 4 at 2GB.
In the GeekBench 2 test the Nexus 10 defeated the iPad 4 with a score of 2505 against 1769. However, the iPad 4 beat the Nexus 10 in our other two benchmarks.
The iPad 4 managed 854ms in the SunSpider JavaScript test while the Nexus 10 recorded a time of 1329ms.
In terms of graphics, the Nexus 10 achieved 27fps in GLBenchmark and iPad 4 reached 39fps.
Google Nexus 10 vs Apple iPad 4: Storage
Sticking with tradition, the fourth generation iPad comes in three storage capacities: 16GB, 32GB and 64GB with no expansion available via a card slot. Google has opted for just 16GB and 32GB models, also without a microSD card slot.
Google Nexus 10 vs Apple iPad 4: Cameras
On the photography side of things the Nexus 10 and iPad 4 have a similar setup. Both have a 5Mp rear facing camera and front facing webcams. The Nexus 10 has a slightly higher rating for the front facing camera at 1.9Mp compare to 1.2Mp.
Google Nexus 10 vs Apple iPad 4: Connectivity
Connectivity on the Nexus 10 consists of 802.11b/g/n dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, near-field communications (NFC). Physical ports consist of microUSB, Micro-HDMI, 3.5mm headphone jack and a magnetic 'Pogo' pin charger.
Apple has fitted the iPad with 802.11a/b/g/n dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0. Physical ports consist of the usual 3.5mm headphone jack and Apple's Lightning connector.
A big difference is that the iPad comes in a Wi-Fi + Cellular data model which supports 4G LTE connectivity in the UK.
Google Nexus 10 vs Apple iPad 4: Software
Software is an area where these tablets distinctly vary. The iPad runs on Apple's own iOS and the Nexus 10 tablet runs Google's latest version of Android, 4.2 Jelly Bean.
See also: iOS 6 review.
See also: Android 4.2 Jelly Bean FAQ: What you need to know.
Google Nexus 10 vs Apple iPad 4: Battery
The iPad 4 has a 42.5Wh rated battery compared to 33.3Wh on the Nexus 10. Apple promises the usual 10 hour battery life when browsing the web over Wi-Fi. Although Google hasn't specified a battery life, The Telegraph reports a slightly lower figure of nine hours.
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Comments
NO GOD = LGBT RIGHTS said: Nexus has nearly caught up
Andre said: Apple rocks the google nexus sucks
QualityOverQuantity said: Im not use to technical terminology but if anybody would like to discuss which they would prefer out of these two tablets and for what reasons I would be interested to read your opinions and what would sway your preference or what would constitute the deciding factor for you
QualityOverQuantity said: For me personally I would rather the Nexus 10s 1hr less battery life amp other shortcomings than to compromise on the higher quality retina resolution and larger screen that it offers
PhillipML said: I have been looking at the Google 10 Tablet to replace my cell phone Does the Google have a place for a chip so that my cell phone provider Consumer Cellular can connect to
Dominique said: Well this review helped me out Thanks
glenbelt said: Just wasted 10 minutes of my life reading this Wheres the review
Keith said: cant believe the camera part just megapixel compare Writer should know when compare the camera comes with the element inside not just megapixel Apple claims that they built the camera well with big aperture Pc advisor should show both tablet photo shot compare Disapoint
Chris Hatt said: Yeah its a good bit of kit BUT My tablet cost 110 I want to connect to TV via HDMI I have it ipad4 adaptor 50 I want to plug in my memory stick I have usb ipad4 adaptor 80 I want to plug in an SD card I have it and extra SD card memory up to 64GB I have it Mines dual core 1GB Ram HD yeah sure you get better battery life boo hoo Mine plays FLAC music files MKV AVI MPEG4 everything you can think of Dont even get me started on isucktunes Apples are overpriced eye candy you can keep yours Ill keep mine
Matt Egan said: Whats PowerPoint got to do with anything You realise we have Office in London too
Andrew Buczynski said: This is my first time on pcadvisorcouk ever and Ivisited the site because I expected a REVIEW of the two products In the US this is false advertising and this would never fly let alone a Senior Editor defending the fact his affiliations article is what it isnt The article is devious and unhanded and lacks significant visual assistance to help the everyday tech consumer Whats missing How about some benchmark results in the form of a graph or chart Even the typical starting position for any office job let alone an editors position here in New York requires some kind of Powerpoint experienceThe bottom line not to reference U2 but I still havent found what Im looking for
Matt Egan said: Well thank goodness you are redressing the balance with your erudite and useful comments I just re-read the piece I think it contains all the information you need to make a purchasing decision Its balanced and detailed Whats missing exactly
Swag said: This IS a reviewhttpwwwwordreferencecomdI cant believe people with such ignorance are allowed in the internet GTFO plz
Sam said: Google is always playing underdog with devices priced cheaper 319 vs 399 Great for keeping the market in check
Matt Egan said: Eh Weve run three different comparative benchmarks Whats shameful
Helionieto said: It is really shameful that a magazine like yours dare to give a verdict on a totally incomplete test becauselacked the most important and fundamental as we all expect A professional verdictHow many of their verdicts are equally incomplete Ie without any technical background
Ian Bickerton said: Not happy with the way you have written up the benchmarks firstly you say the Nexus 10 defeated the iPad 4 on the Geekbench2 but then make light of the fact the ipad beat the Nexus 10 on two other benchmarks beat the Nexus 10 on the JavaScript test and finally beat the Nexus 10 on the graphics by a long way 27 to 39 frames per second important for the gamers Plus what about all the apps available for the iPad do you not have anything to say to contrast the apps available for each tabletRegards Ian Bickerton
DYNK said: Try running GTA Vice City it cant even run with max graphics at a smooth framerate
Mike said: Article linked to in a PCA email received today so Ive only just seen this previewreview Bit puzzled why prices are compared for the wi-fi versions yet the author then states a big difference is that the iPad comes in a 4G cellular version without saying thats an optional feature adding another 100 Bit odd that
thegreypanther said: I would love to comment on the Nexus 10 32Gb tablet but it is out of inventory So I would be surprised if there are many people out there who will be able to say much about it