With just £10 being the difference between the Google Nexus 10 and Apple iPad 2's price, and the iPad 2 still being sold by Apple, we thought we'd put the two popular tablets next to each other to see how they measured up to one another. Here's our Google Nexus 10 vs Apple iPad 2 comparison review.
The Apple iPad 2 was the only tablet worth its salt when it launched in March 2011. Nearly two years old now, it’s positively geriatric compared to the Google-Samsung flagship 10in tablet that launched only two months ago. Apple is still making and selling its venerable tablet as a cheaper entry point for full-size tablets for people who can’t stretch the extra £70 for the current leading iPad, the Apple iPad 4. See also Nexus 10 vs Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet comparison review.
Google Nexus 10 vs Apple iPad 2: Screen
The Google Nexus 10 has a 2560 x 1600-pixel display that’s 10.055in across, while the Apple iPad 2 has a 1024 x 768-pixel display that’s 9.7in across. The Nexus has a 16:10 aspect ratio and the iPad is 4:3.
Google gives size and weight specifications of 263.9 x 177.6 x 8.9 mm and 603g, while Apple’s are 241.2 x 185.7 x 8.8 mm and 601g.
iPad 2 vs Nexus 10: Performance
This section by Matt Egan
In the GeekBench 2 performance benchmark test the Nexus 10 crushed its rivals with a record score of 2505. As might be expected for a device two iterations old, the iPad 2 scores 770. It's nowhere near as fast, but it is plenty fast enough in use.
(For context, the nearest challenger to the Nexus 10 is the iPad 4, which scored 1769.)
The Nexus 10 scored an average of 1329ms in the SunSpider JavaScript test – a respectable result. The iPad 2 isn't too far behind, here, with a decent score of 1519ms (lower is better in this test).
In terms of graphics, the gap is again small. The Nexus 10 is a competent performer with a GLBenchmark Egypt HD test score of 27fps. The iPad 2 got an also respectable score of 24fps - interestingly better than the iPad 3's 22fps. The iPad 4's 39fps is the best we've seen in this test.
Leaing aside the scientific numbers, however, performance on both devices is excellent. The Nexus 10 quickly responds to any input or command. Apps open quickly and pinch zooming in the Chrome browser is silky smooth. The iPad 2 is marginally slower in terms of responsiveness, but it's unlikely you'll be disappointed in its performance.
Google Nexus 10 vs Apple iPad 2: Processor
The Google Nexus 10 has a dual-core ARM processor made by Samsung called an Exynos 5 Dual. It is based on the ARM Cortex-A15 architecture, but the Apple iPad 2 has a dual-core ARM processor made by Samsung called an Apple A5 based on the ARM Cortex-A9 architecture. Google does not cite the clock speed of the processor in the Google Nexus 10 while Apple does not either.
Google Nexus 10 vs Apple iPad 2: Graphics
Good graphics performance is essential to maintain a slick interface. The Apple iPad 2 has a PowerVR SGX543MP2 but the Google Nexus 10 has a Mali-T604.
Google Nexus 10 vs Apple iPad 2: Storage
In the Google Nexus 10 there is 2GB of memory and 16GB of flash storage. For the iPad 2 Apple does not specify memory although in this writer’s review we noted it has 512MB. When the Apple iPad 2 launched it was available in 16GB and 32GB capacities but is now only available as a 16GB model.
Google Nexus 10 vs Apple iPad 2: Camera
The iPad 2 has two video cameras, front and back, that capture frames of 0.3-megapixel and 0.9-megapixel size. The Nexus 10’s camera specifications are 5Mp and 1.9Mp respectively.
Google Nexus 10 vs Apple iPad 2: Connectivity
Both tablets have 802.11 Wi-Fi capability, the Apple iPad 2 with dual-band 802.11b/g/n while the Google Nexus 10 has dual-band 802.11b/g/n. Both tablets have Bluetooth – v2.1 + enhanced data rate (EDR) for the Apple while Google does not announce the version for the Nexus 10.
The Google Nexus 10 has near-field communications (NFC) capability but the Apple iPad 2 does not.
Besides Wi-Fi for indoor wireless data connections, the Apple iPad 2 is offered with a 3G cellular data modem, used in conjunction with a micro-SIM card from a mobile broadband network provider. The Google Nexus 10 does not have an option for cellular data.
You can connect to the Apple iPad 2 by its Apple dock connector and using the headset jack, while you can connect to the Google Nexus 10 by a Micro-USB port or a 3.5mm headphone jack. The Google table also has a Magnetic Pogo pin charger. Nobody knows what to do with this.
Google Nexus 10 vs Apple iPad 2: Battery
Google specifies the Nexus 10 as having a 9000mAh lithium battery. This tells us little or nothing about the energy capacity of the tablet, but many manufacturers do insist on printing this near-useless information. The Apple iPad 2 has a 25Wh lithium battery, which it says is good for 10 hours of wireless web surfing.
Continuing the theme of Google/Samsung cloning the essential form of the Apple iPad, the Google Nexus 10 has a microphone, accelerometer, compass, gyroscope and GPS. Additionally, it has a barometer and ‘ambient light’.
Google Nexus 10 vs Apple iPad 2: Operating systems
The Apple iPad 2 is currently running Apple iOS 6.0.1 while the Google Nexus 10 is running a Google Android 4.2 operating system.
Google Nexus 10 vs Apple iPad 2: Price
The Apple iPad 2 costs £329 or £429 with added 3G capability. The Google Nexus 10 costs £328.99 in 16GB capacity or £398.99 in 32GB capacity.
You can buy the Google tablet in black finish only while the Apple iPad is available in black or white.
Nexus 10 vs iPad 2: The verdict
This section by Matt Egan
That the Nexus 10 is only £10 more than the iPad 2 is, on the face of it, outrageously good value. The Nexus is brand new, has an unsurpassed display, and offers the best all-round performance of any tablet around. The iPad 2 remains on sale to give Apple fans a lower-priced alternative to the full-specced iPad. But there are reasons for this situation.
The Nexus 10 is heavily subsidised by Google as a means of getting people to use Android and - critically - buy apps and media from Google Play. Were Samsung to make and sell it on its own terms its likely the price would be nearer that of the Galaxy Note 10.1 - nearly twice as much. That doesn't stop it being a good deal of course.
That said the iPad 2 remains a good deal. The combination of Nexus 10 and Android 4.2 alone offer a similarly high quality experience as Apple's iPad. So for those who just have to have Apple tech, but cannot afford the iPad 4, the iPad 2 is a decent point of entry.
Comments
Penis said: Is this a reviewComparing nexus 10 with iPad 2Wtf man And you call yourself tech jurnalistThis is like comparing ipad 4 with iphone 3gShitty article
Mike said: And thats what to do with an iPad 2Nexus 10 review exactly
FuturETC said: iPad 4 wins hands down
tbwen said: I really hope he didnt get to keep both Nexus 10 and Ipad 2 to write this This was god awful
Matt Egan said: I dont think it is a bad thing at all I do think it is worthy of mention that this tablet - the first true rival in the 10in space to the iPad - is similar to the iPad It actually makes it a good buy if anything As I said in my previous comment I may have phrased things differently Ive also now added a verdict Feel free to disagree with it
Feyerabend09 said: Well everything is in some way descended from something else Is that a bad thing Does it need to be said in a review article Does the loaded word clone need to be used The whole article comes across as a bit snarky and fails to come to a conclusion the Nexus 10 gives you todays technology for yesterdays money
Matt Egan said: No Monitors of all shapes and sizes have been around for a long time Tablets two and a half years ago were cut-down hot and heavy Windows laptops used only in the vertical markets The iPad - Arm chip mobile OS apps GPS camera thin and light chassis - introduced an entirely new category of which the Nexus 10 is the latest and best example Im not saying there is anything wrong with it and I may not have phrased it in the same way as Andrew but to argue that the Nexus 10 is not in some way descended from the iPad is palpably nonsense Is that your argument Did Android tablets happen in a vacuum in no way influenced by Apple
Feyerabend09 said: It resembles it in the sense that one monitor resembles another Theyre both rectangular with a dark-coloured edge that doesnt form part of the display Whats your point Matt
Mike said: Im off now to dig out my back issues of PCA and feed more paper in to my Amstrad dot-matrix printer bought on your recommendation -
Matt Egan said: I put in the other iPad results for context I may add in some other device results if you think it is a bit too paddy And the results are as important as they state general performance on the Nexus 10 is better web browsing about the same
Matt Egan said: Ah the hall of fame You should see the printer reviews I did in 03 All criticisms are taken on board and discussed at length we are egotistical creatures Thats why I added in the benchmarks today
Mike said: Now benchmarks added referencing iPads 3 and 4 Why This is supposed to be a comparison between two devices similarly priced the Nexus 10 and iPad2 Why is every benchmark listing inferior results for the Apple offering followed by a suggestion the result isnt important
Mike said: Matt come on we all enjoy a bit of tongue-in-cheek bitching but youve got to admit this tech comparison isnt going to be in PCAs Hall of Fame
Matt Egan said: Good spot I will delete the spammy comment
John said: Ridiculous statement From a hardware perspective Samsung are pretty much leading Apple never release cutting edge tech its just current stuffthatsre-brandedand glossed up which arguably does make a good productAdditionallypeople who say think out of the box are usually the ones in the box Finally because you have wasted my time forcing me to reply to a idiocy that is clearly just advertising I will not click your link or use your service
Matt Egan said: Forgive me for not putting you in charge of hiring and firing are you suggesting that the Nexus 10 doesnt in any way resemble the iPad Are you saying that Google would be paying Samsung to create this device even if Apple had never launched the iPad My own view is that the Nexus 10 is the best 10in tablet you can buy cost considered But youd be a fool to suggest it isnt heavily influenced by the ipad
Rick said: Myfavoritepart was the battery sectionEspecially -Continuing the theme of GoogleSamsung cloning the essential form of the Apple iPad the Google Nexus 10 has a microphone accelerometer compass gyroscope and GPS Additionally it has a barometer and ambient lightThis is just more evidence of an overly biased reviewer it takes some arroganceignorance to credit Apple for adding any of that functionality to mobile devicesThe implication that mAh is less useful than Watt Hours is also fairly amusing seriously who have you employed to write technical reviews Fire them Immediately
Gary Downes said: This is the most pointless waste of time EVER Really PC Advisor Do you have some 14yr old on work experience in the office this week that you have allowed them to copy and paste some spec comparisons As for the Nexus 10 vs iPad 2 do me a favor will you STOP just STOP I have the Nexus 10 and the iPad 4 and Im telling everyone now the Nexus 10 is hands down better than my iPad 4 let alone an iPad 2 Sure it has more optimized apps but how long do you think its going to take Android developers to catch up Thats the ONLY thing the iPad 4 has over the Nexus 10 everything else Nexus 10 eats the iPad 4 for breakfast simples
James Earley said: Poor comparison Theres no conclusion Anyway why bother in the first place youd have to be mad to buy an iPad over a Nexus 10
Justthinkofaname@hotmail.com said: The comparison was made to show nothing but fill space on a web page