The Asus Google Nexus 7 Cellular is a 7-inch Android tablet announced in October 2012 and released the following month as the mobile-data sibling of the original Wi-Fi-only Nexus 7. Built by Asus under Google’s Nexus program, it added 3G HSPA connectivity, a Micro-SIM slot, and GPS to the formula that helped popularize affordable, stock-Android tablets.
Although the device has long been discontinued, it remains a noteworthy reference point for collectors, retro-Android enthusiasts, and buyers comparing how small-format tablets have evolved. The specifications below outline what the ME370TG model offered at launch, with cautious notes about its present-day relevance.
Full Specifications
Network
| Technology |
GSM / HSPA |
| 2G bands |
GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands |
HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 |
|
HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| Speed |
HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps |
Launch
| Announced |
2012, October. Released 2012, November |
| Status |
Discontinued |
Body
| Dimensions |
198.5 x 120 x 10.5 mm (7.81 x 4.72 x 0.41 in) |
| Weight |
347 g (12.24 oz) |
| SIM |
Micro-SIM |
Display
| Type |
LED-backlit IPS LCD |
| Size |
7.0 inches, 142.1 cm2 (~59.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Resolution |
800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~216 ppi density) |
| Protection |
Corning Gorilla Glass |
Platform
| OS |
Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 5.1.1 (Lollipop) |
| Chipset |
Nvidia Tegra 3 |
| CPU |
Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A9 |
| GPU |
ULP GeForce |
Memory
| Card slot |
No |
| Internal |
16GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 1GB RAM |
Main Camera
Selfie camera
Sound
| Loudspeaker |
Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 3.5mm jack |
Yes |
Comms
| WLAN |
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot |
| Bluetooth |
3.0 |
| Positioning |
GPS |
| NFC |
Yes |
| Radio |
No |
| USB |
microUSB 2.0 |
Features
| Sensors |
Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
|
Google Wallet MP4/H.264 player MP3/WAV/eAAC+/WMA player Photo/video editor Document viewer |
Battery
| Type |
Li-Ion 4325 mAh, non-removable (16 Wh) |
| Stand-by |
Up to 300 h |
| Talk time |
Up to 9 h (multimedia) |
Misc
| Colors |
Black |
| Price |
About 230 EUR |
Our Tests
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 908:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 68dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 75dB |
| Audio quality |
Noise -69.8dB / Crosstalk -72.1dB |
Price and Availability
The Asus Google Nexus 7 Cellular offers a compelling combination of features and performance. While the base price is around €230, the actual cost may vary depending on your location and retailer. Below, you’ll find the approximate price of the Asus Google Nexus 7 Cellular converted into various currencies. Please note that these are estimates based on recent exchange rates as of June 3, 2026 and may not reflect the exact price you’ll find at a retailer.
- United States: $267
- Japan: ¥42,776
- United Kingdom: £199
- Australia: A$373
- Canada: C$370
- Taiwan: NT$8,413
- Denmark: kr1.717
- Saudi Arabia: ﷼1,003
- South Korea: ₩406,100
- Germany: €230
- Brazil: R$1.343
- Vietnam: ₫6.983.231
- Kenya: KSh 34,660
- India: ₹25,482
- Indonesia: Rp 4.765.120
- Nigeria: ₦364,294
- Pakistan: ₨74,615
- Philippines: ₱16,508
- Bangladesh: ৳৩২,৮৬৪
Design and Build Quality
The Nexus 7 Cellular sticks to the compact 7-inch form factor that made the original model a hit, measuring 198.5 x 120 x 10.5 mm and tipping the scales at 347 grams. The soft-touch dimpled back was designed for one-handed use, which is still a rare quality among modern tablets. A Corning Gorilla Glass front offered scratch resistance, and the all-black finish kept the look understated. The cellular variant differs from the Wi-Fi model mainly through its Micro-SIM tray, as documented in the official ASUS ME370TG user manual.
Display Experience
The 7.0-inch LED-backlit IPS LCD panel runs at 800 x 1280 pixels in a 16:10 aspect ratio, giving roughly 216 ppi. While modest by today’s standards, the screen was praised in 2012 for its viewing angles and reasonable color accuracy. Independent testing recorded a nominal contrast ratio of about 908:1, which made for legible reading and acceptable video playback in indoor lighting. For e-books, light browsing, and casual streaming, the display remains usable, although outdoor visibility and HDR content are not its strengths.
Performance and Software
Under the hood sits Nvidia’s quad-core Tegra 3 chipset, paired with a 1.2 GHz Cortex-A9 CPU and a ULP GeForce GPU. Memory tops out at 1 GB of RAM with either 16 GB or 32 GB of non-expandable internal storage. The tablet shipped with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and, according to Google’s Nexus support documentation, was eventually upgradable to Android 5.1.1 Lollipop. As a Nexus device it received timely updates during its support window, but today it sits well outside the modern Android security patch cycle, so it should not be relied upon for sensitive accounts.
Cameras for Video Calls
Photography was never a focus for this tablet. The Nexus 7 Cellular includes a single 1.2 MP front-facing camera capable of 720p video, intended primarily for Google Hangouts-style video chats. There is no rear camera, which kept costs down and the back panel clean. Buyers seeking a tablet for photography or document scanning should look elsewhere; this device is best understood as a content-consumption and communication device.
Connectivity and Mobile Data
The defining feature of this variant is integrated mobile data. It supports quad-band GSM and HSDPA on 850, 900, 1700, 1900, and 2100 MHz with HSPA speeds up to 21.1 Mbps down and 5.76 Mbps up. A Micro-SIM tray, GPS, NFC, Bluetooth 3.0, and Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n with hotspot support round out the wireless suite. Charging and data go through a microUSB 2.0 port, and a 3.5 mm headphone jack is retained. There is no FM radio. Cellular certification details can be verified through the FCC equipment authorization database under FCC ID MSQME370TG.
Audio and Sensors
The Nexus 7 Cellular features stereo loudspeakers, which were uncommon on budget tablets of its era. Lab measurements placed loudspeaker output at around 68 dB voice, 65 dB noise, and 75 dB ring, with audio quality figures of -69.8 dB noise and -72.1 dB crosstalk. Sensor coverage is solid for a 2012 tablet and includes an accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, and digital compass, enabling navigation apps and motion-aware games without compromise.
Battery Life
A non-removable 4325 mAh Li-Ion battery (16 Wh) powers the tablet. Asus and Google quoted up to 300 hours of standby and around 9 hours of multimedia use. Real-world endurance varies with cellular signal strength, screen brightness, and app load, but the tablet was widely regarded as an all-day device for mixed reading and browsing when new. After more than a decade, original batteries are likely degraded, so anyone buying a second-hand unit should plan for a battery replacement.
Who Should Consider It Today
At its original price of about 230 EUR, the Nexus 7 Cellular was a value-focused option that delivered a clean Android experience, mobile data, and stereo sound in a compact body. Today it primarily appeals to collectors of Nexus hardware, hobbyists exploring older Android builds, and tinkerers who want an inexpensive secondary device for offline reading or development testing. For mainstream users who need a modern productivity or media tablet, current entry-level Android tablets offer far better performance, security updates, and camera quality.
Conclusion
The Asus Google Nexus 7 Cellular was a landmark compact tablet that brought stock Android, 3G mobile data, and stereo sound to a budget-friendly price point in 2012. It still deserves recognition for its design philosophy, but as a discontinued device with outdated software support, it is best recommended only to enthusiasts and collectors. Buyers seeking a daily-driver tablet should look to a current-generation Android model that receives ongoing security updates.
Official references
- Google Nexus Help – Nexus tech specs – Primary Google support page listing Nexus 7 and Nexus 7 32 GB + Mobile data specifications, including display, size, weight, storage, RAM, battery, sensors, and wireless features.
- ASUS Nexus 7 Official Support – ASUS product support page for the original Nexus 7 with official downloads, driver information, and manual/document links from the device manufacturer.
- ASUS Nexus 7 ME370TG Quick Start/User Manual PDF – Official ASUS-hosted ME370TG document confirming the cellular variant details such as SIM tray, 3G/mobile data setup, charger notes, FCC statements, and SAR information.
- ASUS Nexus 7 EMI and Safety Documents – Official ASUS support area for Nexus 7 compliance documents, including FCC Declaration of Conformity and other safety certifications useful for regulatory/spec verification.
- FCC Equipment Authorization System – Official FCC database for radio certification and SAR filings; search FCC ID MSQME370TG to verify the Nexus 7 cellular model's regulatory authorization and RF exposure records.
