They should've called this model the 'Bezel Edition'

[worknman]

Went to my local Best Buy to pick up the new Nexus 7, and was surprised they already had one on display. And, holy crap... you wouldn't think the top/bottom bezels would look as big on the actual unit as they look in the picture. But unfortunately, they are Thing is like 70% screen, 30% bezel, and just feels awkward in portrait mode.

Don't let anyone tell you that the bezels are about the same size as the original. Fact is, this thing is not as wide as the original, which makes the bezels stick out even more. I walked out without one; this is no longer a 'must buy' for me. Hoping somebody else eventually makes a 7" Android tablet that's worth a damn.

 

[Rule9]

Thanks for your in depth review, but I'll go with the great reviews the pros are leaving.

BUT... I noticed that the colors on the cardboard box the Nexus 7 comes in clashes a little but with my recycle box's shade of blue. Seriously Google?? If this is the best you can do you're going to risk losing plenty of rational and intelligent customers.

Thankfully the bezel size isn't something I would nitpick about because I like having a decent sized border for holding the tablet without making unintended contact with the live part of the screen. Clearly the color scheme of the box itself is more of a deal breaker, by 1000 orders of magnitude.

 

[BlackPrince310]

I agree with the OP. As soon as I saw the leaked renders I immediately could not get past the ridiculous bezels. It throws the entire design off IMO. Hoping that it'd look better in person, I went to best buy to go play with one. Same story, the bezels just looked horrible to me. So much wasted space that could be used for screen, especially with the on screen buttons.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 2

 

[worknman]

Hey, only thing I'm saying is that if you look at the pics and go 'holy s*** that bezel is big!' and you think it might be an issue for you, you should probably see it in person before picking one up. But if you don't care that 30% of the tablet is bezel, then of course it won't matter.

BTW: I am the very LAST person to care about cosmetics, so it's not that. It's just annoying having the screen surrounded by so much bezel. It's like watching a movie and having black bars covering 15% of the top and bottom of your TV.

 

[jd914]

The bezel doesn't take away from the screen size it's still 7 inches. It's still easier to handle with one hand than its predecessor. Absolutely not a deal breaker.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

 

[Rule9]

I think this rebuttal to the only reviewer I could find who made as big a deal out of this as you says it all perfectly:

Lets talk about devices then in this category. Have a look at all 7-8 incher Android and apple tablets from mainstream manufacturers.

iPad Mini, the top and bottom Bezel size is very close to that of Nexus 7. Side ones are thinner and it had different aspect ratio screen so it looks better.

Nook HD. Again, thick bezels. But this has thick bezels all around.

Hisense Sero 7 / Pro. Top and bottom bezels are as thick as Nexus 7. Side are little thicker like old Nexus 7.

Galaxy Tab 3. This one has thinner top and bottom bezels and capacitive buttons. Making it impossible to hold in right hand in landscape mode anticlockwise.

Galaxy Note 8. It has slightly thinner top and bottom bezels, thicker sides but again has capacitive buttons. Known to be difficult to use in landscape mode with pen for long time. I know, I bought one.

Kindle fire HD. Again top and bottom bezels are big, but sides are equally bigger.

So no. Only 1 manufacturer has chosen to go for slightly thinner bezels at top and bottom. And it does not work well in landscape due to it. Bingo.
Rest all have generous headroom at top and bottom. Just that very few have gone with thin side bezel. Thank you. If the side bezels had NOT been thinned out, I bet my next paycheck you wouldn't even have noticed.

Ironically, the one that has is Apple. It is just the aspect ratio that helps it not look as odd as new Nexus 7. But even Apple realised there needs to be more area at top and bottom. and they are king of tablets as of now.

(red is my text)

funny thing is, the Nexus 7 is getting glowing reviews, because the reviewers are credible enough to make any comments about the bezel to a small minor issue, rather than this... totally blown out of proportion omgdealbreaker.

 

[smartgroup]

I do not like the big bezel either but need to get an Android tablet. Anyone can suggest the next best thing. Thx in advance.

 

[jwyche007]

I like it personally and don't see the problem. Clearly Google intends for this to be a landscape device. Otherwise it would basically be just a big phone.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[stkorn97]

I dont even notice the bezel on any device I get really. I worry about what is on the screen and how it performs for what I use a tablet for. That is more important than anything else.

 

[worknman]

If the side bezels had NOT been thinned out, I bet my next paycheck you wouldn't even have noticed.[/COLOR]

Yes, you're probably right. But they were, and I did.

I like it personally and don't see the problem. Clearly Google intends for this to be a landscape device. Otherwise it would basically be just a big phone.

In other words, they just gave the middle finger to anyone who likes holding their tablet in portrait mode.

 

[Jerry Hildenbrand]

They are the same size as the last N7. The thinner side bezels and smaller corner radius are playing with your perception. This over-exposed, super high-contrast picture shows what I mean.

 

[worknman]

How does the new one manage to be longer? Does it have a bigger screen?

 

[gabbott]

How does the new one manage to be longer? Does it have a bigger screen?

It really isn't longer by much. I have a new and old side by side.

If we are talking about total bezel space all around, the orginal N7 has more.

 

[ottscay]

There's no accounting for taste, so I won't argue with the OP, but having owned both I can say I greatly prefer the new one, regardless of which orientation I'm holding it in.

 

[anon(5857193)]

I thought the bezels were a bit much at first too. The first time I held the device in landscape with one hand, I realized why they were like that. They really make it comfortable and easy to hold.

 

[Zerocool84]

I thought the bezels were a bit much at first too. The first time I held the device in landscape with one hand, I realized why they were like that. They really make it comfortable and easy to hold.

This x 2

It's great

 

[bitfidelity]

Is the aspect ratio of the new Nexus the same as the last? I find it weird how the screen on my Sero 7 Pro is wider, though that's supposed to be a clone of the N7.

 

[Jerry Hildenbrand]

How does the new one manage to be longer? Does it have a bigger screen?

Look at this picture (again, it's a crappy pic because everything it over sharpened so you can see the edges). See how much longer Point A to Point B is on the new one? The "longer" bevel creates the extra height. The screen is the same size, at least to the human eye -- I don't have a set of calipers that will open that far.

 

[leif1981]

I like such bezels, especially on the top and bottom. On the old nexus 7 it was already a good way to give it a nice grip in landscape while playing games. Because of this bezel the thumbs where in an almost perfect position. Make the bezel smaller and the thumbs would be more in the middle which might be uncomfortable in most games where the controls are more in the left and right corner.

 

[ottscay]

The screen is the same size, at least to the human eye -- I don't have a set of calipers that will open that far.

Anandtech is reporting that the screen is ever so slightly larger (7.02" to 7"), and they are pretty handy with the calipers, but I think you've still hit the nail on the head for more of the difference.