Google Nexus 9 vs Nvidia Shield Tablet Review: Comparison of Specs, Features

By Virnelli Mercader, Christian Post Contributor Tuesday, January 06, 2015

Most tablets in the market are currently using the Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, but the Nvidia Shield Tablet and the Google Nexus 9 both have the Tegra X1, a new processor for cars, tablets and other devices. According to PCMag, the Tegra X1 is so speedy that it provides 1.7 times the performance of Apple's A8x chip, which is found in the iPad Air 2. The Tegra X1 makes the Nvidia Shield and Nexus 9 ideal gaming tablets.

Aside from having the same type of processor, the Nvidia and Google tablets have a lot in common, but one has a bigger screen, and one of the devices has a better front-facing camera.

Design:
The Nexus 9 measures 8.99 x 6.05 x 0.31 inches and weighs 15.38 ounces. It has a smooth, matte back and rounded corners. The speakers are at the front of the tablet on either side of the bezels. It's available in black, white, and gold.

Meanwhile, the Nvidia Shield measures 8.8 x 5 x 0.36 inches and weighs 13.76 ounces. It's mostly made of plastic and is available in matte black.

Features:
The Nexus 9 has an 8.9 inch display with a resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels and pixel density of 288 ppi. It has a layer of Corning Gorilla Glass 3 on top, making it scratch resistant. Colors and images look sharp, but its maximum brightness is dim, making it hard to view images when the tablet is used outdoors. It has an internal memory capacity of 32GB, with no microSD card option.

The Nvidia Shield has an 8-inch, 1920 x 1200 pixel display and pixel density of 283ppi. The device has a stylus which tucks away neatly into the tablet's side. The device is available in the 16GB and 32GB models.

The Nexus 9 has an 8MP rear-facing camera and a 1.6MP front-facing shooter, while the Nvidia Shield has a 5MP rear camera and 5MP front-facing camera.

Price:
The Nexus 9 costs $399, while the Nvidia Shield's basic model starts at $300.