Could an even cheaper Nexus 7 be in the works? A device known as the Asus ME172V has shown up over at GLBenchmark, and it seems to back up previous rumours we've heard about a £62 ($99) 7-inch Android tablet.
That particular rumour gave the product name as the Asus ME-172V, so we could very well be looking at the same device. If the price is anywhere near as low as £60, it'll really put the squeeze on the competition.
Unsurprisingly, the specs aren't going to challenge the iPad mini. The 7-inch screen is said to have a 1,024x552-pixel resolution, according to GLBenchmark, and the processor will be somewhere between 600MHz and 1,008MHz. It does seem to be running Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean though, so impressive features like Google's advanced voice search and Google Now will be at your fingertips. Or lips, depending on which you're using.
Is it likely that Google and Asus would launch such a budget tablet? I think so. Price is one area Apple won't compete with Android, so Google is hellbent on exploiting it. The Nexus 4 is a perfect example -- a stunning Android phone, with the latest software, for just £239. The build quality might not be exactly on a par with a top-of-the-range effort, but seeing as everything is done onscreen, it's really the software you're shelling out for.
If Google can sell a decent tablet for under a ton, it could 'do an Alan Sugar', and convince a lot of technophobes they really do need a tablet in their lives.
Would Google and Asus release a tablet for less than £100? And would you buy it if it had Jelly Bean on board? Let me know what you reckon in the comments, or on our Facebook page.
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JohnsonDion1 2 December, 2012 14:45
I have to admit £159 does seem a little steep for a tablet even a good one like the Nexus 7, but £60 seems a lot more realistic for me to spend my cash on something that I don't really need but would like to have.
Jack N Fran Farrell 2 December, 2012 15:38
Use case #1: highly competent third world technician turns pages in a manual for a machine by voice while holding a tool in one hand and a Nexus in the other. What use has he for HDTV movies or a bejeweled iPad from Apple.
anonymous 2 December, 2012 18:33
One other good 7" tablet available is through a site called TabletSprint -- the Novo 7 Flame Android tablet comes with 32GB for $189US (compare to Nexus 7 32GB at $249US) -- and has 3 quality features Nexus 7 doesn't - a MicroSD Memory Card slot for unlimited storage, 2 high quality cameras with a 5 megapixel back camera with AF & Flash; and HDMI output to a large screen TV, which is nice for movie downloads to watch in Full 1080p (HD) - It's also a great gaming device with a hi-res 1280x800 IPS screen and a 2nd generation dual core cpu. -- TabletSprint also includes $25 in software Apps - certainly worth checking out...
anonymous 2 December, 2012 18:36
A Great $99 tablet is actually already here and Launched this week - the Novo 7 Legend is also available through TabletSprint is the first worthy "$100 TABLET" available from any major brand, with features that include a quality screen display, Micro SD portable storage, Android 4.1, a processor good enough to handle 3D games -- Plus WiFi, Ethernet and 3G -- TabletSprint also includes $25 in Bonus Apps with this tablet as well.
Gary 3 December, 2012 10:21
I don't know why anyone would think that the Nexus 7 at £159 is too pricey. It is top of the range spec for the price which is low enough to buy for a Christmas present for your kids. In fact I have done so for my 7 year old who has shown a great deal of interest in my current Galaxy tab. She is also using my old P1000 galaxy tab to read books on.
shauney3 3 December, 2012 13:30
Agrees. I got the Nexus 7 32GB for £179 from the carphone warehouse. Any cheaper and I'd start to ask questions....
Bassam Al-Mawry 3 December, 2012 17:28
I can't believe that some people seem to be unhappy because there maybe an even cheaper tablet than Nexus 7...
anonymous 3 December, 2012 17:39
The Nexus 4 would be a good offer, if it would actually be available... to me it looks like you really only get it for 50 pounds more this year. And given how fast the market is changing 2-3 months later means that it will be worth 50 pounds less. I might still consider it, but every day that is passing it looks less like a bargain.
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