The Nexus 9 is totally Awesome

[kpiontek]

Have you read Jerry Hildenbrand's review here on AndroidCentral? Pretty fair review.
The specs were fine, although I would have liked to see the Nvidia Stylus and wireless charging included.
My unit, purchased at BestBuy, had considerable flex in the back, and yes, it really was 2-3 mm it gave in without major force, i.e. simply picking the tablet up and holding it. And for my unit, it did not compare to my N7 2013 or N5. Not a deal breaker as that could be solved with a case, but frankly for the asking price, you shouldn't have to.
Jerry's review mentions the light spill on the top of the screen. When you watch a movie for example it became quite noticeable, again in itself not a deal breaker. The deal breaker fro me was the pretty bad and uneven light bleed on the left side of the screen. And I compared it to my N7 2013 and my wife's iPad Air at their maximum brightness and both had minimal bleed, nothing I'd ever notice even watching movies or reading books on an inverted screen.

All in all, quality control was missing in action, and seeing the reviews here in the forum and on websites, the issues are pretty widespread. So, if they missed/dismissed this, what else did they miss/dismiss?

As I wrote above, given the bad press the Nexus 9 received (how on earth could you send reviewers such units??), I think, HTC wrote the N9 off. Even if they fixed the issues, who would buy it now, unless it was for substantial discount? And almost every review brings up the same, the N9 is overpriced for what you get.
People that experience the occasional stutter, attribute it to the encryption that can't be turned off, although if I recall correctly some people on XDA claimed to have done it after rooting.
I'm not sure where you live, but BestBuy here in the US has a Black Friday sale for the iPad Air 2, making the 16GB unit equal in price, and for $20 more you can have the 64GB iPad Air 2. Unless you married to Android, it is something to consider as N9 and iPad Air 2 are otherwise pretty equal, but quality would go to iPad.
At this point, I'd definitely wait for a fire sale of the N9 or a better built tablet with the K1 Denver chip from another company.
Just my opinion.

 

[NicksGarage]

It's still totally awesome for me. Apple is not for me. There seem to be plenty of people happy with their N9. You see these same posts in every forum for a new device. As always, your mileage may vary.

Sent from my Nexus 9 using Tapatalk.

 

[brosko]

Why are people always so quick to dismiss other peoples observation? I could have taken a video measuring the force it takes and the distance the back travels and people would still believe it was made up or dismiss it as an anomaly. I know how much 2-3 mm is and it was that much.
The point I'm trying to make is every review from Jerry's here on AndroidCentral to others has had some give in the back. Why is it so hard to believe that there is substantial variation in the extend of the phenomenon? The same with light bleed. Jerry was probably kind in his otherwise fair review, and I found the others to be fair as well. And it all comes down to QC. And if QC missed these easy to spot things or dismissed them as unimportant/acceptable what else did they miss/dismiss?
WiFi issues, SoC overheating, battery problems? People that consider purchasing the Nexus 9 should keep that in mind that even if you get a visually perfect, it might have other problems. Even with good quality control you would have about 1% of problematic units out there but if review sites like AndroidCentral receive units like that, I'm concerned, and frankly you should be, too.
I liked the Nexus 9 but it wasn't/isn't worth the asking price. I hope HTC rectifies these quality issues but it probably isn't worth it at this point. Given the bad press the Nexus 9 received, I'm convinced HTC checks it off as another failed attempt in the tablet market.
I hope Nvidia takes pride in their 64bit SoC and steps up to make something worthy purchasing. This isn't it for the asking price, and for me at this point I'd only consider it if it were considerably cheaper, at least $150 cheaper.

The one that I played with in best but definitely had more than 1mm of play on the back. Probably around 3mm or so.

 

[brosko]

I'm curious about your opinion. If you don't mind me asking, what about the Nexus 9 do you feel isn't worth the asking price? For example, is it some of the issues regarding the construction and assembly defects (i.e., lightbleed, chassis flex, etc) or is it more along the lines of the hardware specs and features not meeting expectations based on the asking price?

Posted via the Android Central App

Almost nothing about it is worth the $ they are asking. Now the n7 was a good buy.

 

[Torisen1]

I received mine today, 32g black. I'm enjoying it. I guess I lucked out, no flex in the back and only minor light bleed . 4/3 will take some getting used to but it's not bad.

The more I play with it the better I like it. These speakers are very awesome, watched The Hobbit last night and these speakers can pull you in.

Found a home for my 2013 Nexus 7, now I need to find one for my Sony tablet Z.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[ADRHD JAVIER]

Same here bro .. Lightbleed a little bit but it's not bothering me .. But the display is not that good ,, maybe its just my device .. But n7 2013 display is good than n9 IMO.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[Habiib]

I've been reading reviews, testimonials, and have played with it on the store. For the $399 16GB price, I can't think of but only a few tablets that can compete with the N9 based on my criteria:

1. Screen size
2. Screen Resolution
3. Multimedia experience (A/V)
4. Hardware performance
5. Software performance

Based on my brief time with the N9, I think it's a very good tablet (pending if it doesn't have the quibbles regarding light bleed).

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[jstwondrng]

I've been reading reviews, testimonials, and have played with it on the store. For the $399 16GB price, I can't think of but only a few tablets that can compete with the N9 based on my criteria:

1. Screen size
2. Screen Resolution
3. Multimedia experience (A/V)
4. Hardware performance
5. Software performance

Based on my brief time with the N9, I think it's a very good tablet (pending if it doesn't have the quibbles regarding light bleed).

Posted via the Android Central App

I have to say, I played around with it in store myself and had VERY limited exposure to it but I really like it. I had no problems with the display or the back bending a bit. I really LOVE the 4:3 ratio and I'm looking forward to using the tablet for surfing the web and reading books. N7 was a very good tablet but I'm ready to move to the N9.

J

 

[Vance14]

I think the bottom line is pretty simple here. If you get a unit that has the "bounce" issue or significant lightbleed, then it would definitely not be worth the money. If you got a unit that does not have those problems (and from reading here, that actually sounds like the majority), then whether it is worth the money depends on a number of factors: how much value do you place on having a Nexus device? Do you prefer soft-touch or metal? Do you like a 4:3 aspect ratio, etc. If you are like me, all of those factors favor the Nexus 9 and so it is definitely worth the money for me.

So, to say it is definitely not worth the money is silly, and to insist that it is right for everyone is equally silly. All I can say is that it is the best tablet I have owned and I am more than happy with my purchase.

 

[anon(11078)]

I've been lucky, there is no significant "bounce" on mine and the lightbleed that does exist is very small. The thing I was most skeptical about was the 4:3 aspect ratio. I'm starting to believe that I'm starting like this aspect ratio better. I think that most of the nits I've had with this device is related to the infant nature of Lollipop. That is apps that don't work or don't work correctly, stutters in Chrome, and the flicker that happens when you rotate the device from portrait to landscape when using the Google Now Launcher. I expect that those things will be fixed in short order (notwithstanding the botched L -->Q version update).

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[kpiontek]

If you got a unit that does not have those problems (and from reading here, that actually sounds like the majority), then whether it is worth the money depends on a number of factors: how much value do you place on having a Nexus device? Do you prefer soft-touch or metal? Do you like a 4:3 aspect ratio, etc. If you are like me, all of those factors favor the Nexus 9 and so it is definitely worth the money for me.

So, to say it is definitely not worth the money is silly, and to insist that it is right for everyone is equally silly. All I can say is that it is the best tablet I have owned and I am more than happy with my purchase.

Actually from reading here and the reviews from Jerry, AndroidPolice, ArsTechnica etc. I'd say the the opposite is true: most have squishy/bouncy backs, and probably most of them have light bleed, too.Now, it might not bother them, but it means quality control let those things unchecked. What else did they let go through? And with premium prices should come premium quality control and it's not there.
And there are now several people here in the forum that exchanged their units and got other one with similar problems. So it is absolutely NOT silly to say the nexus 9 is overpriced. In the US with plenty of Black Friday promotions bringing the iPad Air 2 for the same price or cheaper (in particular for the 16GB model) you have to look at the whole.picture. . Maybe you're fine with overpaying, many people are, but that doesn't change that in the large picture the N9 is quality wise not competitive at their chosen price point.
Many people think Apple is overpriced but if that is true than Google/HTC do the same.

 

[Torisen1]

Actually from reading here and the reviews from Jerry, AndroidPolice, ArsTechnica etc. I'd say the the opposite is true: most have squishy/bouncy backs, and probably most of them have light bleed, too.Now, it might not bother them, but it means quality control let those things unchecked. What else did they let go through? And with premium prices should come premium quality control and it's not there.
And there are now several people here in the forum that exchanged their units and got other one with similar problems. So it is absolutely NOT silly to say the nexus 9 is overpriced. In the US with plenty of Black Friday promotions bringing the iPad Air 2 for the same price or cheaper (in particular for the 16GB model) you have to look at the whole.picture. . Maybe you're fine with overpaying, many people are, but that doesn't change that in the large picture the N9 is quality wise not competitive at their chosen price point.
Many people think Apple is overpriced but if that is true than Google/HTC do the same.

You are replying and the wrong thread. This is not a complaint thread.[language removed by mod]

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[RickInHouston]

Nexus 9 is .31 inches thick. That's .787 centimeters. 7.87 millimeters.

The posts I have read in this thread say the back flexes 2 - 3 millimeters on them? Almost half the thickness of the tablet?

Please explain.

 

[NicksGarage]

Nexus 9 is .31 inches thick. That's .787 centimeters. 7.87 millimeters.

The posts I have read in this thread say the back flexes 2 - 3 millimeters on them? Almost half the thickness of the tablet?

Please explain.

Exaggeration? 3 millimeters is a lot and would be easy to see in a picture. I'm sorry for those that are disappointed in the N9 and hope they get a good one or their money back. I'm still happy with mine and think it's money well spent. I'm allergic to apples anyway.

 

[kpiontek]

You are replying and the wrong thread. This is not a complaint thread.
Posted via the Android Central App

Do you have anything to reasonable to contribute like care to explain why EVERY reviewer from AndroidCentral to ArsTechnica mentioned these issues since they're obviously so rare? Or why several people here in the forum exchanged their N9 because of the light bleed and ended up with another one? Why are there open-box items ready to ship at BestBuy.com for this "awesome" tablet for at least a week? Didn't think so. Don't let facts get in the way.

I didn't know this thread was for Google Nexus 9 cult members. You are just as bad as the Apple cult followers, spewing personal attacks.

As to the person asking how it can be 2-3mm when the tablet is only 7.87 mm. How do YOU know it is only that thick? Where did HTC measure the thickness, next to the aluminum frame? All I can tell you is that at the thickest point of MY tablet (the Nexus sign on the back) it gave in 2-3 mm. I didn't measure the thickness of the tablet as a whole. I guess once the back gave in in it probably was 7.87 mm thick but that doesn't change the fact that it gave in that much, does it. And no, I didn't exaggerate, I know what 2-3 mm actually are. But here is a thought, why don't you measure the thickness to check whether it is actually 7.87 mm thick or maybe thicker? Tell us whether there is some flex in the back.


I don't need to rant to feel better. I thought the personal experience would be helpful to someone considering the purchase of the Nexus 9 and this tablet is currently overpriced for what is provided by HTC.

I'm done with this site. If a reasonable discussion can not be had, than I don't have to be here.

 

[jschu22]

The Nexus 9 does have some awesomeness, but at this price I'd prefer a bit more quality and consistency.

 

[Robert Ratskywatsky]

Doesn't look that awesome to me. Combined US and UK Amazon reviews = 127 so far, and the average review is 3 1/2 stars, much lower than any other major tablet.

 

[jschu22]

At least partially, the device has a budget feel to it without the budget price.

Seriously, all they needed to was eliminate that damn play in the back and this isn't a bad tablet at all. Put an f'ing piece foam in there, HTC.

 

[VAVA Mk2]

I love mine. Yes it has some light bleed, but I don't really notice it after I boot into the OS.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[fm123]

Nice summary comparison of tablet chips and some benchmarks.

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