Report: Google’s Next Nexus 7 Drops Price To $149

A new report from Reuters, citing anonymous sources, says that Google’s new Nexus 7 tablet will be released in July and could be priced at the low-low price of $149. This would be $50 better than the current version, which was the best small tablet until the arrival of the iPad Mini.

It’s still the best for its price point and better generally than Amazon’s Kindle line of tablets.

Reducing the price by $50 for the entry level Nexus 7 would not only drive more sales but put enormous pressure on Google rival Amazon, which has generally been selling Kindle Fires at break even.

The report also says that the new Nexus 7 will still be built by Asustek. It adds that pricing isn’t final and the new device could be priced at $199 with the earlier model (the current model) dropping to $149 instead.

Apple’s iPad Mini starts at $329. It’s overall a better device but the price difference makes the Nexus 7 very attractive.

Until very recently I was an enthusiastic booster of the Nexus 7. Unfortunately I’ve had the screens fail on two Nexus 7s recently, leading me to believe that with the lower price have come quality compromises.