Nexus 7 vs New Kindle HD 7" model (spec comparison)

**YAYTech** · 09-06-2012, 04:19 PM

The point of this thread (or at least this first post) is to outline measurable differences between the Nexus 7 and the new Kindle Fire models. Feel free to post anything I've overlooked.

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Nexus 7 vs Kindle Fire HD 7"

Price: Same
Screen size: Same
Screen Resolution: Same
Processor: Advantage: Nexus 7 (Quad-core Tegra 3 processor vs KFHD7's 1.2 Ghz dual-core)
GPU: Advantage Kindle
RAM Advantage Nexus 7 (1gb vs 752MB in the Kindle HD 7")
Storage: Advantage: Kindle (16gb vs 8gb in $199 versions)
Camera: Same, front-facing only
I/O:
- Bluetooth Same, both have it
- Video out Advantage: Kindle with HDMI output
Battery size / life: Not yet known
Weight Advantage: Nexus 7 (12oz vs 13.9oz for the Kindle)
Dimensions: Very slight advantage: Nexus 7 (practically the same thickness, Nexus .21" longer, Kindle .68" wider, Nexus 1.31 cubic inches smaller)
- Nexus 7: 7.81" x 4.72" x 0.41" (approx volume: 15.11 cubic inches)
- Kindle Fire HD 7": 7.6" x 5.4" x 0.4" (approx volume: 16.42 cubic inches)
- NFC Advantage: Nexus 7
- GPS Advantage: Nexus 7 (Kindle Fire HD 7" doesn't have it)
- Magnetometer Advantage: Nexus 7 (Kindle Fire HD 7" doesn't have it)

Other Nexus 7 Advantages
- Vanilla Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, including Google Now (vs heavily modified Android 4.0 on the Kindle)

- Not ad supported
- Higher App compatibility

Other Kindle Fire HD 7" Advantages
- Dual wifi antenna
- Dolby audio and dual-driver stereo speakers
- Kindle FreeTime - a personalized tablet experience just for kids.
- X-Ray features
- Possibly less screen glare?

More areas for potential advantage not yet known
- If the Kindle headphone jack also supports a microphone/headset
- If the Kindle supports Square payments
- If there is a notable difference in build quality/consistancy
- If there is a resolution difference in the front-facing camera

**icwhatudidthere** · 09-06-2012, 04:35 PM

Kindle Fire HD is ad supported as well.

**Mr.Gadget** · 09-06-2012, 04:37 PM

Originally Posted by icwhatudidthere

Kindle Fire HD is ad supported as well.

Yep, seems that no matter which version you buy, you have to live with the ad support.

**YAYTech** · 09-06-2012, 04:45 PM

Originally Posted by icwhatudidthere

Kindle Fire HD is ad supported as well.

Thanks, added "Not ad supported" under Nexus 7 advantages

**YAYTech** · 09-06-2012, 04:52 PM

Added weight (advantage N7)

**dmmarck** · 09-06-2012, 04:56 PM

GPU favors the Kindle Fire.

**DroidDavi** · 09-06-2012, 04:57 PM

I was watching some videos. The kindle seemed laggy.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

**YAYTech** · 09-06-2012, 05:01 PM

Added dimensions/volume (slight advantage N7)

**dmmarck** · 09-06-2012, 05:03 PM

Amazon Kindle Fire HD vs. iPad vs. Nexus 7 vs. Surface RT vs PlayBook | Android Central

**YAYTech** · 09-06-2012, 05:30 PM

Originally Posted by dmmarck

Amazon Kindle Fire HD vs. iPad vs. Nexus 7 vs. Surface RT vs PlayBook | Android Central

Thanks, added NFC (advantage N7)

**YAYTech** · 09-06-2012, 05:40 PM

Originally Posted by dmmarck

GPU favors the Kindle Fire.

Reference? Everything I've seen seems to indicate it favors the N7...

**dmmarck** · 09-06-2012, 05:47 PM

Originally Posted by YAYTech

Reference? Everything I've seen seems to indicate it favors the N7...

Just following along in the live blog's on The Verge and elsewhere. CPU, I think, favors the N7. But apparently the GPU for the new HD is only second to the iPad's.

**Kevin O'Quinn** · 09-06-2012, 05:54 PM

Originally Posted by dmmarck

Just following along in the live blog's on The Verge and elsewhere. CPU, I think, favors the N7. But apparently the GPU for the new HD is only second to the iPad's.

Yes this is true. Assuming the OMAP stays the same from device to device it's the SGX544.

**ddavtian** · 09-06-2012, 08:21 PM

GPS, advantage Nexus?
I heard Fire didn't have it.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Android Central Forums

**Ravynmagi** · 09-06-2012, 09:06 PM

Regarding "wider viewing angles" listed here under the Kindle Fire HD. I'd say that is a no, both are IPS displays and should have the same viewing angles.

If you meant less screen glare, that appears to be correct and a better way to word it. Amazon says it has 25% less glare than the original Fire and I saw one video reviewer mention it looked like less glare than the Nexus 7 too.

Another pro for the Kindle Fire HD is a better looking screen as well, richer colors, deeper blacks. I think the Tegra 3 is causing our Nexus 7 (and other tablets) some color issues we shouldn't be having, so perhaps that is partly why Amazon went with the TI OMAP.

I'm hoping that reviewers raving about how much better the Kindle Fire HD colors look compared to the Nexus 7 will motivate Google to kick ASUS or Nvidia in the **** to get whatever is messing up our screen quality resolved.

**Kevin O'Quinn** · 09-06-2012, 09:29 PM

Originally Posted by Ravynmagi

Regarding "wider viewing angles" listed here under the Kindle Fire HD. I'd say that is a no, both are IPS displays and should have the same viewing angles.

If you meant less screen glare, that appears to be correct and a better way to word it. Amazon says it has 25% less glare than the original Fire and I saw one video reviewer mention it looked like less glare than the Nexus 7 too.

Another pro for the Kindle Fire HD is a better looking screen as well, richer colors, deeper blacks. I think the Tegra 3 is causing our Nexus 7 (and other tablets) some color issues we shouldn't be having, so perhaps that is partly why Amazon went with the TI OMAP.

I'm hoping that reviewers raving about how much better the Kindle Fire HD colors look compared to the Nexus 7 will motivate Google to kick ASUS or Nvidia in the **** to get whatever is messing up our screen quality resolved.

They went with the OMAP because it's cheaper. If the Tegra 3 were causing color issue more then just Nexus 7 users would be complaining about it.

**Inishatr** · 09-10-2012, 06:11 AM

Amazon's Kindle Fire HD is running a forked version of Android that Amazon has skinned to be a direct conduit to Amazon.
It is worth noting that these Amazon devices will all be ad-supported. Here is an exerpt from their press release:
"The new Kindle Fire family comes with special offers that appear on the lock screen. Examples of special money-saving offers that customers will enjoy include a $5 credit in the Amazon MP3 Store and a $5 credit for select titles in the Amazon Instant Video Store. Customers will also receive special offers and screensavers from brands like AT&T, Discover and Intel, such as a special offer of a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card when a customer uses their Discover card to purchase a digital product on Amazon."

**6tr6tr** · 09-10-2012, 01:46 PM

Jelly bean on Nexus 7 is NOT an advantage:

**YAYTech** · 09-10-2012, 02:21 PM

Added a few things people have mentioned, thank you!

Originally Posted by 6tr6tr

Jelly bean on Nexus 7 is NOT an advantage:

That's a matter of opinion, I have had no issues with it, and it includes features not found in previous versions of Android. I consider it an advantage. Generally the items in the "other advantages" sections of the first post are meant to be either for items that can't be directly compared between the two devices, or things that could be a matter of opinion. So you can consider those section titles to be "other things that could be considered advantages by some". Even if there are some issues that need addressed with Jelly Bean, I'd take it any day over the heavily reskinned ICS found on the Fire. But that's my opinion, and we're all entitled to our own.

**1812dave** · 09-10-2012, 02:39 PM

there are plenty of apps that won't run on a stock fire. I like things simple--stock nexus 7 is my preference to Amazon's offerings

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Android Central Forums

**still1** · 09-10-2012, 03:19 PM

Voice command and google now is not in Fire.

**YAYTech** · 09-10-2012, 03:23 PM

Originally Posted by dave1812dave

there are plenty of apps that won't run on a stock fire. I like things simple--stock nexus 7 is my preference to Amazon's offerings

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Android Central Forums

Added "higher app compatibility" to N7 advantages

Originally Posted by still1

Voice command and google now is not in Fire.

Already listed under "Other Nexus 7 Advantages - Vanilla Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, including Google Now (vs heavily modified Android 4.0 on the Kindle)"

**YAYTech** · 09-12-2012, 01:06 PM

Added RAM (advantage N7)

**randall2580** · 09-12-2012, 08:43 PM

the Kindle is limited to the Amazon App Store - which the N7 can use but only the N7 has access to Play. I have never used a Kindle Fire so I don't know is there access in the AAS to your purchased Android apps from Play - I don't believe there is.

**Ravynmagi** · 09-12-2012, 09:09 PM

Originally Posted by Kevin O'Quinn

They went with the OMAP because it's cheaper. If the Tegra 3 were causing color issue more then just Nexus 7 users would be complaining about it.

Reason why I'm wondering if it is a Tegra 3 issue (and I'm not the only one to wonder this) is because I have seen people with other Tegra 3 devices complain about colors. I hear HTC did fix it on the One X, so that's promising.

- - - Updated - - -

Originally Posted by 6tr6tr

Jelly bean on Nexus 7 is NOT an advantage:

Have you used Jelly Bean? Can't imagine anyone that's used it could even think it's not an advantage.