Paul from over at MoDaCo has confirmed that ASUS will be launching a 3G variant of the Nexus 7. Details are scarce as to what pricing will be and when it will be available in each of the place we call earth. Paul was able to confirm that a launch will be happening in 6 weeks — no doubt for Google’s Play Store.

There’s not a huge amount to say… a 3G version of the Nexus 7 is coming, with no other hardware changes. Asus is currently ramping production in preparation for launch in around 6 weeks, with the exact launch date and territories still to be confirmed.

The major downside we’ve been hearing from people — regarding the Nexus 7 — is the the lack of a 3G option. Now that 3G is coming, will you be buying one? Or perhaps swapping your Wi-Fi variant for the 3G version. We’ll no doubt be hearing pricing for the device in the next few weeks — when we do we’ll announce it.

Source: MoDaCo.
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John

I’m currently wi-fi tethering my Samsung S2 (with the bigger battery) on Telstra with the Nexus 7 it’s a combination that works well for me.

This said – I’m using my expensive smartphone more as just a phone, while the Nexus does all the other things – email, video, music, books etc etc

Adding 3g to the Nexus will just suck the battery on the Nexus and line the pockets of the Telcos with another unnecessary data plan.

For me, I like the simplicity of the straight wi-fi version of the Nexus 7

stance

Can you use the 3G version as a phone 🙂

Jamesz Zhang

wonder if we can swap our existing nexus 7 for the 3g variant

Ray of Perth

Still need 3G here in OZ unless you live in the CBD. WiFi from the smartphone on tether is just too unreliable outside CBD.

opt

Don’t quite understand what you mean, when tethered over
WiFi your phone is sharing its’ 3G connection. So, if 3G is unreliable
for you outside CBD then then getting a separate SIM for the tablet is not going
to help.

gemini67

when the hell are they going to announce a 3G Infinity, Asus you guys really shit me !!!

Greg

It will be too expensive and too carrier laden to be a success. Shoulda stuck with Wi-Fi.

Andrew

If it’s sold via the Google store then there shouldn’t be any carrier bloat. Just get a data plan and SIM from someone.

Milty Mc

Its a good idea for those who need 3g. The nexus 7 is a great tablet but im still disappointed with its display. The colours seem too washed out and dull compared to my galaxy nexus. It also annoys me because not one reviewer mentioned this weakness. I even asked a friend who got his tablet on the same day i got mine (coincidentally) and he said the same thing without any prompting.

Greg

Are there any videos or pictures up where I can see what you mean – I’ve heard the bad display a number of times as a throw-away comment, but never seen anything to give an idea of what is meant by it.

My first Nexus 7 had a broken screen – and I’ve gone through the replacement process. The one that works properly is beautiful.

I’d love to know what the problem looks like – are my eyes just poor judges of picture quality? Or are there faulty screens?

gemini67

I am out of the office until 04/09/2012.

Note: This is an automated response to your message “[ausdroid] Re: ASUS ramping up production of 3G-enabled Nexus 7, launching in 6 weeks” sent on 03/09/2012 17:04:50.

This is the only notification you will receive while this person is away.

Bradey Nicholson

The display isn’t too bad, just that sometimes the colors on the screen could look a bit more vibrant.

gemini67

I am out of the office until 04/09/2012.

Note: This is an automated response to your message “[ausdroid] Re: ASUS ramping up production of 3G-enabled Nexus 7, launching in 6 weeks” sent on 03/09/2012 17:41:44.

This is the only notification you will receive while this person is away.

Andrew

With bluetooth/wifi tethering there’s no real need for the 3G version, personally. It really is a great device though, so anything that helps ship more is a good thing IMO 😉

David Klaverstyn

+1

opt

But wifi tethering is very taxing on the phone battery, therefore
makes it a less desirable mobile solution for heavy users. Unless your phone is hooked up to a charger or an external battery pack, it is very hard to get more than 2 (at
most 3) hours of tethering time with most smartphones. Therefore 3G IMO is still important.

Andrew

Very true. The tethering that I had done has either been for short bursts or while in the car with the phone charging and so hasn’t been a problem.

Saying that though, if the price difference is only small I could imagine myself buying the 3G version just for the convenience of not having to set up tethering.