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I am having trouble with Bluetooth Low Energy (BT 4.0) on a Nexus 7. I think I may have a 2012 model.

How to tell if I have a 2012 or 2013 version of the Nexus 7?

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    Look at the back. If you can read "Nexus" while the tablet is in a portrait orientation, it's the 2012 model. If it's sideways, it's the 2013.
    – ale
    Dec 4, 2013 at 13:19
  • @Krampus That's a really good, concise answer. If you were to post it as an answer, I for one would upvote it.
    – Dan Hulme
    Dec 4, 2013 at 13:43
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    It does have the virtue of not requiring the unit to be powered on. But dotVezz's answer has images which show this anyway.
    – ale
    Dec 4, 2013 at 13:45
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    BTW the 2012 model is NOT BT 4.0 (BLE, Smart Ready, etc...) compatible, even though it can be upgraded to android 4.3. The 2013 model is BT 4.0 compatible.
    – monzie
    Dec 5, 2013 at 14:20
  • Just see if the tablet has a rear camera!! if it has its 2013 model. ENOUGH SAID
    – coolhz
    Mar 31, 2014 at 14:21

1 Answer 1

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There are several physical differences

  • Most notable is the different orientations of the "Nexus" logo.
  • The 2013 model drops the dimpled texture on the back.
  • The 2013 model also has a camera on the back, which the 2012 model lacks.
  • The 2013 model has a notification LED on the front, which the 2012 model lacks.
  • The 2013 model has a speaker grille on the top for stereo sound in landscape, while the 2012 model only has the bottom speaker grille.

2013:

The 2013 Model has a large, vertically-aligned logo.

2012:

The 2012 model has a small, horizontally-aligned logo.

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    Looking at those images the 2013 model also has a front camera and a notification led, both of which the 2012 model lack.
    – bmdixon
    Dec 4, 2013 at 13:23
  • With android 4.3 my build number on a 2013 model is JWR66N. Maybe the "razor" refers to a different android version?
    – monzie
    Dec 5, 2013 at 14:24
  • @monzie Thanks. I must have been confused - I have now removed that part of the answer.
    – dotVezz
    Dec 5, 2013 at 14:33
  • @bmdixon — Don't you mean a back camera? Dec 5, 2013 at 17:33
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    Yeah, I spotted that after posting but couldn't edit it. It's right in the answer though :)
    – bmdixon
    Dec 5, 2013 at 20:48

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