Google Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD, or Asus Fonepad: Which One Should You Buy?

Google Nexus 7 sports a 7-inch display with a resolution of 1200x800 pixels and is based on the latest Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean version. The slate is powered by a 1.2 GHz quad-core NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor which might be outdated (Tegra 4 is out) but for Indian market, the hardware is still eye catching. The tablet gets 1 GB, 16 GB internal storage space with no microSD slot (Google hates memory expansion).

The hardware guarantees smooth multi-tasking performance. The Nexus 7 has a 1.2 MP front camera only and the lack of a rear camera does not make much of a difference. Options like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC and GPS are available for connectivity and the tablet is backed up by a 4,325 mAh battery.

The Amazon Kindle Fire HD comes with 7-inch 1280x800 display also but is based on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich version which has been customised by Amazon. The tablet packs a 1.2 GHz dual-core TI OMAP processor, gets 1 GB RAM, 1.3 MP front camera, 3.5 mm audio jack, miniHDMI port, microUSB and 4400 mAh battery. In terms of connectivity, you have Wi-Fi only and 16 GB internal memory with no microSD slot.

Last one is Asus Fonepad. The tablet comes with 1280x800 7-inch display and is powered by Android 4.1 Jelly Bean version. This tablet packs a 1.2 GHz dual-core Intel Atom processor and gets 1 GB RAM, 16 GB internal memory with microSD slot, 3.1 MP rear and 2.1 MP front cameras. For connectivity, this one has plethora of options like Wi-Fi, 3G, voice calling, GPS, Bluetooth, microUSB, etc. Asus Fonepad is loaded with a 4270 mAh battery.

Look and feel

For tablet under Rs 20,000, the Nexus 7 is a powerhouse device that shows no signs of slowing down and combined with its look, feel and finishing, this has to be an option for consumer looking to buy value for money tablet. The tablet is light and easy to carry at 340 grams which is also the weight of Asus Fonepad and compared to Kindle Fire HD at 395 grams, the first two win in terms of weight.

The Nexus 7 borrows Google's Nexus design philosophy that exudes simple and clean style but in this segment Kindle Fire HD came out as the winner with its unique matte style body finish that betrays the tablet's affordability and makes it look elegant as well expensive. It was hard for us to choose the best in terms of look and design but apart from being heavy and big in size compared to the other two in the segment, the Kindle Fire HD has been made with a lot of heart.

Display

All the three tablets sport the same 7-inch 1280x800 display but in terms of display quality the Kindle Fire HD offers the crispness and colour reproduction of highest quality, which makes Kindle Fire HD the winner in terms of display and viewing. Nexus 7 comes close second with its display which is definitely worth the price and well-equipped to watch movies/videos. The Asus Fonepad has different look about it and even the notification box design is smaller than the usual which is a refreshing change but compared to display quality of Kindle Fire HD and Nexus 7, Fonepad is the last amongst the three.

Hardware

This is where the real showdown happens. A tablet may look great but if performance is not up to the mark then you won't find many takers. The Nexus 7 packs a 1.2 GHz quad-core Nvidia Tegra 3 processor while the Kindle Fire HD comes with a 1.2 GHz dual-core TI OMAP processor and Asus Fonepad is powered by a 1.2 GHz dual-core Intel Atom processor but all three get 1 GB RAM. The Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire HD do not have a rear camera, microSD slot which has become common these days. The Fonepad comes with both rear and front cameras of 3.1 MP and 1.2 MP respectively and microSD slot up to 32 GB.

The Kindle Fire HD packs double Dolby Digital speakers at the back and the audio quality of the tablet surely negates the use of earphones (atleast it worked for me). You can easily watch movie/video listen to music with the speakers at top notch level. The multi-tasking performances of all the three were exceptional with no lagging issues or heating observed. The calling quality of the Fonepad is okay and you are better of using a Bluetooth headset for calling just to make it easier to handle. The battery life on Nexus 7 lasted for more than 4 hours on our video loop test, the Kindle Fire HD lasted for close to 4.5 hours and lastly, Fonepad worked without charging for about 3 hours.

Benchmarks

Nexus 7 scored 12018 on AnTuTu, 3648 on Quadrant and 1414 on Vellamo HTML5. The Kindle Fire HD was compatible with AnTuTu only and there the tablet scored 6171. Asus Fonepad got a 1300 on Vellamo HTML5, 9768 on AnTuTu and 3218 on Quadrant.