Nexus 9 Review

THE NEXUS 9 is an HTC-built tablet, that is the first to arrive running Google's Android 5.0 Lollipop software.

Looking to rival the iPad Air 2, the tablet ups the ante when it comes to specs, touting an 8.9in 2048x1536 screen and Nvidia's 64-bit Tegra K1 processor under the hood.

Those won over by the tablet's high-end specifications should keep this page bookmarked, as we'll update it as soon as we hear more about the Nexus 9's availability.

Release date

Google's Nexus 9 in black and white will be available to pre-order on 17 October, before it's available in stores on 3 November. The sand-coloured model will launch "later in the year," according to Google, although no specifics have yet been announced.

Price

Google has started taking pre-orders for the Nexus 9, revealing that the 16GB model will fetch £319, and the 32GB model £319.

A 32GB model with LTE will also be offered later in the year, and will be priced at £459.

In the US, the Nexus 9 will be available in 16GB, 32GB and 32GB + LTE models also, which will fetch $399, $479 and $599, respectively.

Amazon UK has also started taking pre-orders for the Nexus 9 including the 32GB LTE model. The retailer's pricing is in line with Googles', with the models fetching £319, £399 and £459, respectively.

Specs and features 

The Nexus 9 is the first tablet to run Google's Android 5.0 Lollipop operating system, which means the HTC-made tablet will be the first to debut the firm's new Material Design language, which boasts a new colour palette and less textures.

Android 5.0 Lollipop is also the first version of Google's software to come with encryption switched on by default, and the security-conscious will be pleased to hear that it also comes with Samsung's Knox software baked-in too. It also comes with a "Kill Switch," which means the phone can be rendered useless if it is lost or stolen.

Android 5.0 also equips the Nexus 9 with improved multitasking, a battery saving mode and revamped notifications.

In terms of physical specifications, the Google Nexus 9 takes advantage of Android 5.0's 64-bit support with a 2.3GHz Nvidia Tegra K1 chip under the hood. This comes paired with 2GB RAM, and either 16GB or 32GB built-in storage.

At the forefront of the Nexus 9 is an 8.9in IPS LCD screen with an iPad-rivalling 2048x1536 resolution and 4:3 aspect ratio. Google claims this makes the device ideal for viewing media, as does its dual front-facing HTC BoomSound speakers.

The Google Nexus 9 also features an 8MP camera with f/2.4 lens, autofocus and LED flash, a 1.6MP front-facing camera, optional 4G LTE support and a 6,700mAh battery, which Google claims will offer up to eight and a half hours of LTE browsing.

In terms of size, the Nexus 9 measures in at  154x228mmx7.95mm. The WiFi-only model tips the scales at 425g, while the LTE model weighs in at 436g.