ASUS is reportedly set to launch a 7-inch Android tablet that will compete against Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire HD. Rumour has it that Asus, which manufactured the Nexus 7 for Google, will unveil its own tablet at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January 2013.

The soon-to-be-unveiled Asus tablet is dubbed the "ME-172V" in a report by iAfrica.

Asus ME-172V Android Tablet: Rumoured Specs

A company spokesperson told iAfrica the tablet will feature a 1024x600 capacitive display. It will run on a VIA WM8950 processor, with Mali 400 graphics chip.

In contrast, the Nexus 7 boasts of 1280×800 WXGA pixels (216 ppi) display. But like the Nexus 7, ME-172V will have 1GB of RAM.

The new Asus tablet will have only 8GB of internal storage, but users can expand this with a microSD. The Nexus 7 does not allow expandable storage. Asus may leverage such a difference to attract gadget shoppers. Still, the Nexus 7 comes in 16 and 32GB storage options.

ME-172V will reportedly come with 1MP front-facing camera, while the Nexus 7 has a slightly better 1.2MP.

Nexus 7 vs Asus ME-172V: Price rumours

There are rumours that the ME-172V will cost around US$220. If it will be selling at this price, Asus should have more interesting or promising features. It is not really very cheap. Then again, all the details have not been released yet.

In contrast, Google Nexus 7 16GB costs around $249 with promising specs. Kindle Fire HD costs $199.

The Nexus 7 is powered by a 4325 mAh battery kit, which has been tested to last 8 to 9 hours. The ME-172V will be powered by a 4270mAh battery, so it is supposed to last just as long.

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