Google Nexus 4, Nexus 7, And Nexus 10 Guide For Shoppers

If you want the latest version of the Android operating system device, Google's Nexus-branded devices are the way to go. Google has released a flurry of Nexus devices this year, and if you're thinking about picking one up for yourself or as a gift, here's a rundown of the devices.

All three of the Nexus devices listed below are currently the only ones on the market running Android 4.2

LG Nexus 4

Google's latest Nexus smartphone collaboration, the Nexus 4, is currently in high demand. The Google Play Store lists a "ship by" time of 9-10 weeks for the unlocked $299.99 8GB model, and 6-7 weeks for the unlocked $349.99 16GB variant. The Nexus 4 is also available through T-Mobile for $199.99, although it is currently out of stock online.

The long wait times for the Nexus 4 are mostly due to the fact that the Nexus 4 is an incredibly affordable and capable unlocked smartphone. With a 4.7-inch display, 1.5GHz quad-core processor, and 2GB RAM, the handset is no slouch. The only downside is that the Nexus 4 lacks LTE connectivity, though it does sport a dormant LTE chip and a simple software tweak can make the phone run on LTE Band 4. The Nexus 4 has an 8-megapixel rear-facing camera and a 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera.

ASUS Nexus 7

Google's first entry into the tablet market earlier this year, the Nexus 7, was a runaway success. The Nexus 7 comes in a $199.99 16GB model, a $249.99 32GB model, and a $299.99 cellular 32GB version via Google Play. The Nexus 7 is definitely one of the top budget tablets around, and costs far less than the iPad Mini.

The Nexus 7 has a 7-inch 1280X800 HD display, the NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core processor, and a 1.2-megapixel front-facing camera. Reviews have mostly been in favor of the tablet, and while there were some initial hiccups about the display's build quality, most of that has seemed to have died down. Definitely the hottest cheap Android tablet around.

Samsung Nexus 10

Google also teamed up with Samsung to deliver the Nexus 10 tablet to directly compete with Apple's iPad. The Nexus 10 starts at $399.99 for the 16GB model, and goes up to $499.99 for the 32GB model through Google Play. Both variants are Wi-Fi only.

The Nexus 10 comes equipped with a 10-inch 2560X1600 screen, an Exynos 5 dual-core processor, and 2GB RAM. Unlike the Nexus 7 which only comes with a front shooter, the Nexus 10 has a 5-megapixel rear-facing camera to go along with the 1.2-megapixel front-facing camera.

With a slightly cheaper price tag than the Apple iPad, the Nexus 10 offers a great Android alternative for those looking for a 10-inch tablet.

Which one of these Google Nexus devices will you be purchasing this holiday season?