Google officially unveiled the second-generation Nexus 7 model a few hours ago, so it’s time to check out what’s new compared to the first-generation model.

The 2013 Nexus 7 model brings several important improvements, from screen quality, to size and weight, to processing power and even prices. In every aspect, the Nexus 7 offers better hardware compared to last year’s model – not that we expected anything else from a new device.

Size matters

The new Nexus 7 is slimmer than it’s predecessor by 1.8mm (8.6mm compared to 10.45mm) and Google has reduced the width of the tablet by around 6mm (114mm compared to 120mm) by reducing the side bezels.

Add to that the fact that the new Nexus 7 also happens to be a lot slimmer than its precursor (290-299g depending on version compared to 340g), and you won’t be surprised to hear that the new Nexus 7 can be held easier with one hand than its predecessor.

When it comes to design, Google went for a black-on-black color scheme for the new Nexus 7. The device has smaller bezels and a soft-touch matte black (with the logo shown in landscape mode rather than portrait, as it was in the first model)

Display and speakers

The most important part of a tablet is, naturally, the display, and the rumors were right on this one. The new Nexus 7 packs a 7-inch display with 1920 x 1200 resolution and 323ppi, which is a feature you won’t find in any other 7-inch tablet – the original model has a 1280 x 800 resolution and 216ppi.

According to Google, the new Nexus 7 can now show a 30% wider range of colors than its predecessor.

Furthermore, in order to better enjoy those 1080p movies, the new Nexus 7 will now offer better sound thanks to its dual-stereo speakers (found on the back side of the device, near the top and bottom) and Fraunhofer virtual surround sound. Not to mention that such components – better display and speakers – will let users also enjoy a lot of high-quality gaming.

What else is in there?

In addition to the display and speakers, other components have also been upgraded for the new Nexus 7 including processor, RAM, cameras, cellular connectivity and battery (see tablet below for a full specs comparison for the two devices).

According to Google, the 1.5GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor in the new Nexus 7 is 80% faster than the 1.2GHz quad-core NVIDIA Tegra 3 found inside the old model, and has a GPU that delivers four times the performance of the 2012 version.

The memory has been doubled, as the new Nexus 7 offers now 2GB of RAM, but storage is at the same levels, 16GB and 32GB. As you expect, the new model doesn’t have microSD support either.

	Nexus 7 (2012)	“New” Nexus 7 (2013)
Size	198.5 x 120 x 10.45mm	200 x 114 x 8.6mm
Weight	340g	290g (Wi-Fi), 299g (LTE)
Screen	Corning Glass 7-inch LCD IPS display with 1280 x 800 resolution (216 ppi)	Corning Glass 7-inch LCD IPS display with 1920 x 1200 resolution (323 ppi)
Processor	1.2Ghz quad-core NVIDIA Tegra 3	1.5GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro
GPU	416MHz 12-core NVIDIA GeForce ULP	400MHz Adreno 320
Memory	1GB of DDR3L RAM	2GB of DDR3LM RAM
Storage	(8) / 16 / 32GB	16 / 32GB
Camera	1.2MP	1.2MP / 5MP
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 4.0	Bluetooth 4.0
USB	microUSB	microUSB with SlimPort
GPS	Yes	Yes
NFC	Yes	Yes
Wi-Fi	802.11 b/g/n	dual-band 802.11 a/b/g/n
Battery	4325mAh battery: up to 8 hours of active use	3950mAh battery: 9 hours of video playback, 10 hours of web browsing / reading; wireless charging
OS	Android 4.2.2 upgradeable to Android 4.3	Android 4.3 Jelly Bean
Cellular	3G with support for AT&T	4G LTE with support for AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon
Speakers	Single rear speaker	Stereo speakers on the back with Fraunhofer surround sound
Sensors	Gyroscope, Accelerometer, Compass Ambient Light	Gyroscope, Accelerometer, Compass Ambient Light
Price	$199 (16GB), $249 (32GB) and $299 (32GB + 3G)	$229 (16GB), $269 (32GB) and $349 (32GB + 4G LTE)

Compared to the old device, new Nexus 7 packs an extra camera, dual-band Wi-Fi, HDMI output via SlimPort and 4G LTE support that’s compatible with AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon bands.

While the new Nexus 7 packs a smaller battery (at 3950mAh vs 4325mAh), the new Nexus 7 will offer an extra hour (or two) of battery life compared to its predecessor (9-10 hours vs 8 hours), which is all the more impressive considering that the new model is slimmer and has to power a much better display.

Wireless charging will also be available for the new Nexus 7, while the old model can only be charged the “regular” way.

Just like its predecessor, the new Nexus will launch with a new Android version on board, Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. However, the 2012 model is also compatible with the new OS version, and can be updated to the latest Jelly Bean version.

So what about pricing?

With great power comes great responsibility pricing, which means the new Nexus 7 is more expensive than its predecessor. Pricing starts at $229 for the 16GB version and goes up to $269 for the 32GB version. That’s $30 and $20 more than what the Wi-Fi Nexus 7 (2012) model costs. However, those of you looking to score a deal, will certainly find even cheaper first-gen Nexus 7 models in stores now that the new model is official.

Those of you interested in the 4G LTE version of the new Nexus 7 will have to pay $349 for the new Nexus 7 with LTE, while $299 would get you an old Nexus 7 model with 3G support.

The good news is that the new model will be available from more retailers than its predecessor.

The Wi-Fi version of the new Nexus 7 will be hitting stores starting with July 30, with “more retailers than ever before” stocking the device in addition to Google – the list includes companies like Best Buy, GameStop, Walmart, Staples, OfficeMax, Office Depot, Amazon, HSN, RadioShack, J&R and B&H.

The 4G LTE model will start shipping “in the coming weeks.”

In addition to the USA, other countries will get the tablet including the UK, Germany, Spain, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Australia and Canada – other markets will follow in the future.