The Google Nexus 9 protruding camera makes more sense than the iPhone 6

posted by Michael H. / Oct 15, 2014, 5:37 PM

The Google Nexus 9 protruding camera makes more sense than the iPhone 6

One of the smaller details about the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus that has drawn quite a bit of annoyance from users is the fact that the phones have cameras that protrude out of the back, instead of being flush with the cases. Interestingly, the newly announced Google Nexus 9 tablet also has a protruding camera, but it seems to make more sense, and be less likely to annoy users than the iPhone's camera.

You may not have even noticed the protruding camera on the Nexus 9, because the only promotional material that shows the right angle was the Nexus 9 promo video that Google put out. The reason for the camera jutting out a bit is the same as with the iPhone: Google wanted to make the tablet as thin as possible; so, the edges of the device taper down at the edges. Of course, you can't have a camera be at an angle and stay flush with a tapered edge, so half of it sticks out from the case, keeping it parallel to the rest of the device.

Google could have moved the location of the camera to avoid this all together, but at least the protrusion won't be an annoyance like the one on the iPhone. With the iPhone, the camera makes it impossible for the phone to lay flat on a table, which really bugs some people (who may have slight OCD, we haven't done the proper research on that.) The Nexus 9 camera is flush with the body and should keep the device flat, even if the edge pops out a bit.

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49 Comments

1. XperiaFanZone

Posts: 2277; Member since: Sep 21, 2012

Google does it right.

posted on Oct 15, 2014, 5:39 PM 39

3. verbalize

Posts: 150; Member since: May 03, 2013

So if Google does it then its OK? Clown!

posted on Oct 15, 2014, 5:53 PM 16

7. erikiksaz

Posts: 170; Member since: Apr 22, 2010

Cus the thing sits flat on a table, dumbass.

posted on Oct 15, 2014, 6:08 PM 60

25. SuperMaoriBro

Posts: 533; Member since: Jun 23, 2012

Who cares, neither can take a pic of Chuck Norris, because Chuck Norris cannot be photographed. His image is a fist that destroys all photographic equipment.

posted on Oct 15, 2014, 7:21 PM 3

9. hurrycanger

Posts: 1755; Member since: Dec 01, 2013

Read the article. Maybe you'll realize that you are the clown.

posted on Oct 15, 2014, 6:17 PM 33

22. edelxander

Posts: 58; Member since: Oct 01, 2013

iclown

posted on Oct 15, 2014, 7:07 PM 24

43. alumoyo

Posts: 391; Member since: Aug 26, 2013

Clearly that's the logic, so the 4:3 screen aspect ratio which iPads always got attacked for is okay: now that Google is doing it - LETS ALL CELEBRATE!

posted on Oct 16, 2014, 4:33 AM 0

14. greenelektron

Posts: 537; Member since: Sep 10, 2014

I have to be bias to google also. Because google.

posted on Oct 15, 2014, 6:33 PM 0

46. LastSun

Posts: 2; Member since: Aug 14, 2014

It actually looks better that way. Protruding in an angle while not protruding out of back plane, making it non wobbly on table, even if you don't wobble it it does annoy that it doesn't fit on table properly flat.

posted on Oct 16, 2014, 7:33 AM 0

2. Busyboy unregistered

Apple, take notes.

posted on Oct 15, 2014, 5:39 PM 23

19. bucky

Posts: 3774; Member since: Sep 30, 2009

It looks like Google took the notes here.

posted on Oct 15, 2014, 6:44 PM 7

21. Awalker

Posts: 1962; Member since: Aug 15, 2013

If so they would have made the devices wobbly.

posted on Oct 15, 2014, 7:03 PM 13

28. vincelongman

Posts: 5625; Member since: Feb 10, 2013

The Nexus 5 already had a ugly protruding camera And I think the Galaxy Nexus also had one

posted on Oct 15, 2014, 8:07 PM 0

30. HildyJ

Posts: 334; Member since: Aug 11, 2012

So Apple copied Google?

posted on Oct 15, 2014, 8:39 PM 5

39. Ashoaib

Posts: 3269; Member since: Nov 15, 2013

apple copied everyone this time

posted on Oct 16, 2014, 2:29 AM 2

37. milesboy5

Posts: 179; Member since: Nov 07, 2012

The GNex did have a protruding camera but I wasn't bothered by it...

posted on Oct 15, 2014, 10:33 PM 0

40. E.N.

Posts: 2610; Member since: Jan 25, 2009

protruding cameras were never an issue until the iPhone 6...

posted on Oct 16, 2014, 3:26 AM 0

44. alumoyo

Posts: 391; Member since: Aug 26, 2013

Yah like switching to the Apple iPad aspect ration for the display - which means WELCOME TO LETTERBOXED MOVIES!

posted on Oct 16, 2014, 4:36 AM 0

38. Ashoaib

Posts: 3269; Member since: Nov 15, 2013

apple take notes with galaxy note 4... best device for noting

posted on Oct 16, 2014, 2:28 AM 0

4. rf1975

Posts: 264; Member since: Aug 01, 2011

Michael, did you notice there is a 1mm different between these two devices. So, if apple made iPhone 7.9mm thick the lens won't protrude. As usual you always wand justify Google. Nice try. Keep it up.

posted on Oct 15, 2014, 5:56 PM 4

8. erikiksaz

Posts: 170; Member since: Apr 22, 2010

It wasn't Michael's decision to make the iphone lopsided. That stupid decision belongs to Apple. A seemingly stupid decision, as I'm sure EVERYBODY would rather have an extra fraction of a mm's extra thickness for a taller battery and a phone that lays flat.

posted on Oct 15, 2014, 6:10 PM 23

41. E.N.

Posts: 2610; Member since: Jan 25, 2009

If people think the protrusion on the iPhone 6 is ugly, that's completely fair, but this whole 'wobbling' conversation smells like BS. For the past couple of years, no one seemed to care about protrusions/wobbling. It's hard to separate the select few that are legitimately bothered by the protrusion from those who are just complaining because it's fun.

posted on Oct 16, 2014, 3:53 AM 0

5. darkkjedii

Posts: 30833; Member since: Feb 05, 2011

Protrusion is protrusion, doesn't matter how ya slice it.

posted on Oct 15, 2014, 5:58 PM 4

13. alrightihatepickingusernames

Posts: 474; Member since: Dec 29, 2013

I really don't think it's this concrete. Generally, yes, a camera bump is an unpleasant thing. In the case of Nokia's Lumias, Samsung's phones, and the new iPhones I think the camera bump is pretty ugly and annoying, it's just out of place. My Nexus 5 on the other hand? I'm GLAD it has the bump, I think it looks great and really distinguishes the device from others out there. Why? I dunno, I just like it, and off the top of my head I can't think of any other devices that implement it in such a way.