Google Nexus 7 has a Display Calibration Flaw

The Google Nexus 7 starts at $199 and can be purchased in both 8 GB and 16 GB versions, although getting your hands on one might be tough due to high demand. (Photo : REUTERS/Stephen Lam)

Google can consider their recently-launched Nexus 7 tablet as a success. The budget-priced $200 tablet has been so popular with consumers that finding one is difficult. Reviews have been generally positive, but one website, DisplayMate, does seem to have a bone to pick with the Nexus 7 display.

Like Us on Facebook

Dr. Raymond M. Soneira, a display expert, writes, "In short, the display produces washed out images and colors in spite of the fact that it has a display with excellent color saturation and contrast."

The Nexus 7 features a 7-inch screen that operates at a 1280 X 800 resolution producing 216 pixels per inch (ppi), which DisplayMate says is within the "ppi sweet spot."

Despite the display being technically sound, it looks like Google messed up on the calibration of the images.

"Although the Nexus 7 has a high quality display, they messed up the factory calibration. This affects all displayed images, but it is most noticeable on any form of photographic image, including videos, because the color and intensity mixtures are visually critical for them to look right. On the other hand, for high contrast software generated text and graphics the display will look fine."

The failure of Google to properly calibrate the Nexus 7 display eventually caused Dr. Soneira to bleakly state, "If high image and picture quality is important to you, then you might want to skip the Google Nexus 7 and wait for a Tablet with a better display, or wait and see if Google can correct the problem..."

The Google Nexus 7 is available in 8 GB and 16 GB models.

The iPad 3 apparently has a much better display, and if price and size is an issue, Apple is expected to release an iPad Mini with a smaller display that will directly compete with the Google Nexus 7 sometime this fall.