Technikfaultier · 03/12/2015
Long-term test · one year of use
Google Nexus 9 LTE has good ideas, but its price and worn buttons after months left it hard to recommend.
Likes- Pure vanilla Android for enthusiasts
- Form factor between an iPad mini and a full-size iPad
- Tap to wake is a useful feature
Dislikes- Price felt too high for what it offers
- Power and volume buttons sank into the case after months
- The housing gives in slightly in the middle
SwagTab · 23/11/2014
Hands-on review · two weeks of daily use
Google Nexus 9 LTE is disappointing for its price, but probably the best Android tablet for those who need one right now.
Likes- Bright, sharp display
- Comfortable to hold at 425 g
- Smooth performance with stock Android 5.0
- Two days of battery life in daily use
Dislikes- Gaps in the build and a back panel that gives when pressed
- Light bleed on the display
- Only 16 or 32 GB storage, no expansion
- Too expensive for its build issues
TabletBlog · 05/11/2014
First look · unboxing and first impressions
Google Nexus 9 LTE makes a good first impression for Android fans, though one odd speaker noise needs checking.
Likes- Hardware feels good so far
- Google Now launcher and voice search work well
- Redesigned apps and multitasking view look nice
Dislikes- Odd noise from the speaker when pressing buttons
- Voice assistant lacks playful answers
eSavants · 19/04/2015
Full review · daily use, design, screen, camera and sound
Google Nexus 9 LTE is one of the best Android tablets, though its camera disappoints and its screen falls short of Retina.
Likes- Very good speakers with strong volume
- Solid, nearly flawless design
- Suited to everyday use and productivity apps
- Full set of connections including 4G, NFC and GPS
Dislikes- Rear panel is plastic rather than aluminium
- Front camera at 2 megapixels and a disappointing rear camera
- Screen does not reach Retina quality
- No infrared port
clipset · 11/12/2014
Hands-on review · display, design and performance
Google Nexus 9 LTE is a promising tablet with a strong processor and earns the channel's seal of approval despite minor flaws.
Likes- Colourful, responsive display
- Comfortable to hold one-handed
- Good stereo speakers
- Strong processor and 2 GB RAM for demanding tasks
Dislikes- Light leaks at the edges in dark rooms
- Battery life slightly below the claimed figure
- Not yet compatible with Nvidia Grid
- Apps not yet fully optimised for 64-bit
Topes de Gama · 02/12/2014
Hands-on review · hardware, software and build tests
Google Nexus 9 LTE is a good tablet with a great operating system, but too many small flaws make it hard to fully recommend.
Likes- Lollipop software is smooth and looks great
- Audio performance is solid
- 4:3 screen suits browsing, reading and video
- Good gaming performance from the GPU
Dislikes- Few quality apps for the 4:3 format
- Button layout needs improvement
- Back cover feels less premium than expected
- Battery charges slowly and drains quickly under heavy use
MARCIANOTECH · 22/11/2014
Hands-on review · build, battery and gaming
Google Nexus 9 LTE is a very good tablet, with battery drain and heat issues that updates should fix.
Likes- Solid build with metal edges that protect the device
- Pure Android Lollipop with a useful new navigation layout
- Premium feel in the hand
Dislikes- Battery drains quickly during use
- Device gets warm while gaming
- Some games not yet optimised for the tablet
- Occasional slowdowns
nextpit Español · 13/11/2014
Full review · several days of use
Google Nexus 9 LTE has a great screen and nice design, but its battery and build quality are weaker; still, it is a very good experience.
Likes- Very good screen quality
- Attractive design with a metal frame
- Double tap to wake works well
- Google voice detection works very well
Dislikes- Battery life is not great
- Build quality is weaker than the design suggests
- Lag when moving between menus
- No notification light
W38 · 23/01/2015
Hands-on review · performance, screen and price
Google Nexus 9 LTE is not a bad tablet and not the tablet of the year, but it is a nice Lollipop tablet.
Likes- Strong raw performance in everyday use
- Clean pure Android with Lollipop
- Solid aluminium design
- Good camera for a tablet
Dislikes- 16 GB with no microSD slot is too limiting
- Price is high for what it offers
- Screen is dim outdoors with many reflections
- Charging is slow without Quick Charge
Gregory F · 15/11/2014
Unboxing and first look · browsing and YouTube checks
Google Nexus 9 LTE is too expensive for what it offers; it would be a very good product at a much lower price.
Likes- 4:3 format gives more reading room when browsing
- Stock Android interface with few preinstalled apps
- Charger and cable included in the box
Dislikes- Price is too high for what it offers
- Finish varies from unit to unit
- Volume and power buttons sit slightly sunken
- Websites and YouTube show wide black bars or ads
BFM Tech · 13/11/2014
Full review · battery, gaming, camera and screen tests
Google Nexus 9 LTE is great for gaming fans, but its weak battery and camera make it hard to recommend to others.
Likes- Top processor for demanding games
- Very sharp high-resolution screen
- Fast and responsive performance overall
- Pleasant, classic design that is comfortable to hold
Dislikes- Battery drops to about 5 to 6 hours under heavy use
- Camera is disappointing, especially in low light
- Gets warm under heavy load
- No microSD slot and 32 GB storage limit
SmartWorld · 11/11/2014
Hands-on review · features, screen and tests
Google Nexus 9 LTE is overpriced for what it offers, with no standout strength, and its audio alone does not justify the premium.
Likes- Stock Android Lollipop feels light and fast
- Smart Lock works well
- Display is good
- Build quality is not bad
Dislikes- Price is too high for what it offers
- Few apps optimised for the 4:3 screen
- YouTube app not yet updated to Material Design
- Weak audio for the price
TELEFONINO.NET · 09/11/2014
Full review · battery, camera, gaming and software tests
Google Nexus 9 LTE is a good device with lots of potential, though it still trails the iPad Air and its software feels like a beta.
Likes- Strong gaming performance on the Tegra K1
- Good sound from the front-facing speakers
- Battery lasts a couple of days under heavy use
- Plays 4K and HD video
Dislikes- Software still feels like a beta
- Apps open slowly and the interface is less fluid
- Back panel bulges near the Nexus logo
- Noticeable gap to the iPad Air