Nexus 7 (2012 model) vs Nexus 10 (2012 model)

An analyst says that Google will unveil a second-generation Nexus 7 tablet at Google I/O next week sporting superior specs compared to its predecessor, while being equally affordable.

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has sent out a research note revealing potential specifications for the second-generation Nexus 7 tablet a few days ahead of Google I/O 2013.

Still made by Asus, the new Nexus 7 would offer the following specs and features:

• 7-inch LTPS display with 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA) resolution
• quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor (APQ8064)
• 5-megapixel camera
• HD front-facing camera
• Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth
• NFC
• 4000mAh battery with Qi wireless charging support
• Android 4.3 Jelly Bean

Assuming the information is accurate – and we can never guarantee that with analysts – we’re looking at several upgrades compared to the current Nexus 7. The second-gen version would sport a high-resolution display, the same kind of processor found inside the Nexus 4 smartphone, but also a rear camera. The device would run Android 4.3 Jelly Bean – which we’ve seen in our own server logs recently – and offer wireless charging support.

Image Credit: KGI Securities

When it comes to design, the tablet is said to have a smaller bezel and feature a plastic case. Kuo provides details on the actual suppliers for various second-gen Nexus 7 components, see screenshot above, but we have no way of confirming them at this time.

According to the analyst, Google would sell the device at cost, losing from $5 to $10 with each device, and would make it available through the Play Store and other retailers. Interestingly, storage isn’t mentioned – we’d expect at least 16GB on the cheapest version – but it looks like versions with more memory could also be launched.

Not that it matters as much what Google will call the new tablet, the second-gen Nexus 7 is named “new Nexus 7″ by Kuo, not Nexus 2 7.0 or any other strange-looking product name we’d expect to see there.

That said, we’ll cover Google I/O in great detail next week at which point we’ll be able to tell you more about this just-a-rumor-for-now next-gen Nexus 7.