Apple did as many expected it would and announced an iPad Mini. We've pulled together the specification of Apple’s pint-sized iPad to compare it to Google's Nexus 7 tablet. Here's our Apple iPad mini vs Google Nexus 7 tablet comparison review. Updated on 24/10/12. See also: Apple iPad mini review.
The iPad Mini has only just been revealed so this comparison is based on the specifications alone. To see what we really think of the iPad Mini check back for a full review soon. In the meantime enjoy this comparison and take a look at our iPad Mini preview.
The iPad Mini is a rival to the Nexus 7 because of its size. You could argue Apple created the iPad Mini deliberately to do so. Whether it did or not, here's how the iPad Mini stacks up against the Nexus 7.
See also: Google Nexus 7 tablet vs Apple iPad comparison review.
See also: is the Nexus 7 a good deal?
Apple iPad Mini vs Google Nexus 7: Price
Google set a new benchmark price for budget tablets when it launched the Nexus 7. It starts at £159 for an 8GB model with a 16GB model costing £199. The price of the iPad Mini was one the most debated and unknown elements of the tablet.
We didn’t think Apple would go as low as Google, and it didn’t. The cheapest iPad Mini costs £269 for the 16GB model. This puts it at £70 more than the equivalent Nexus 7. However, a spanner may be thrown into the works since Google is expected to replace the 16GB model with a 32GB version for the same price.
See also: iPad Mini price in UK.
Apple iPad Mini vs Google Nexus 7: Dimensions
With similar sized screens, the two tablets are of a similar size and weight. The Nexus 7 is smaller at 120 x 199mm compared to 135 x 200mm. The width is the main difference here.
However, as we predicted Apple made the iPad Mini thinner and lighter than the Nexus 7's 10.5mm and 340g. The iPad Mini measures in at 7.2mm and 308g for the Wi-Fi only model. The Wi-Fi and 4G model is an additional 4g heavier.
Apple iPad Mini vs Google Nexus 7: Screen
There was no surprise to discover that the iPad Mini has a 7.9in display. This is a little larger than the 7in screen found on the Nexus 7.
Google's Nexus 7 uses an 800 x 1280 resolution and as we predicted, the iPad Mini uses a 1024 x 768 resolution matching that of the original iPad and iPad 2 but on a smaller screen. This makes the aspect ratio 4:3 like all previous iPads compared to 16:10.
The iPad Mini doesn’t have as detailed a screen as the Nexus 7 - its pixel density is 163ppi compared to 216ppi.
Apple iPad Mini vs Google Nexus 7: Processor
Google's Nexus 7 is equipped with an nVidia Tegra 3, a quad-core chip along with a 12-core GPU. The iPad Mini is equipped with Apple's A5 dual-core processor which was used in the iPhone 4S and iPad 2. In the latter the chip is clocked at 1GHz.
Going by the processor specs, the Nexus 7 is more competent but the software the processor has to run is key to the performance.
Apple iPad Mini vs Google Nexus 7: Storage
As we mentioned earlier, Google has opted for only 16GB and 32GB models with the Nexus 7. The iPad Mini sticks to traditional Apple storage capacities of 16GB, 32GB and 64GB.
One thing the tablets have in common is a lack of a microSD for memory expansion.
Apple iPad Mini vs Google Nexus 7: Cameras
Google's Nexus 7 tablet has just a front facing camera rated at 1.2Mp, but the iPad Mini has more on offer with a 5Mp rear facing iSight camera and a 1.2Mp front facing FaceTime HD webcam.
Apple iPad Mini vs Google Nexus 7: Connectivity
One big difference in connectivity is that the iPad Mini will use Apple's new Lightning connector brought into play with the iPhone 5. Google's Nexus 7 uses Micro-USB common to Android smartphones and tablets.
As you would expect the Nexus 7 and iPad Mini have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on-board, although Apple’s tablet is dual-band and the firm is touting faster speeds via channel bonding. However, if it bothers you, the iPad Mini doesn’t have a near-field communications (NFC) chip like Google's tablet does.
There's no 3G model of the Nexus 7, although one is rumoured to be on its way. Apple offers a Wi-Fi and cellular model of the iPad Mini which, in the UK, supports 3G and 4G LTE frequencies.
Apple iPad Mini vs Google Nexus 7: Software
Software is an area where these tablets differ greatly. The iPad Mini will runs on Apple's own iOS 6 (with Siri) while the Nexus 7 tablet runs Google's latest version of Android, 4.1 Jelly Bean. Read our individual reviews of each for more details
Apple iPad Mini vs Google Nexus 7: Battery
The Nexus 7 has a 16Wh battery promising 10 hours of battery life when browsing the web over Wi-Fi. The situation with the iPad Mini is almost identical with Apple claiming 10 hours battery life surfing the web over Wi-Fi thanks to its 16.3Wh battery.
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Comments
luketechknow said: MilSpecDroid Dunno if i agree here I personally prefer the I pad i know your alot more restricted being tied into apple but the i pad is so userfriendly yourNancould pick it up 5 minutes later shed be updating herFacebookhttpwwwsamsungtablet101rev
pedant said: Say what syntax is crash make reading big trouble whatever
hhy2k said: I am sure that your batterylife dropped a tiny bit though That was what I have refered to And yes I know you plugged the phone in So it didnt Inthat case But what if you cant plug it in like you are on a picknick with those kids
i8my4re said: Maybe a fail for you but Ive had 3 hour trips in the car with kids itouches soaking up my cellular data on my iphone via the mobile wifi hotspot and havent heard them complaining about dropped connections Just sayin
hhy2k said: And the nexus 7 has 30 more pixels to show your content
hhy2k said: Well how long can you keep your hotspot up from the cell Oups Sorry Fail
M-telford said: And Nexus 7 has NFC with the sweet spot in the U on the back
Samandresen8 said: But the only thing is I think is really different is the price Its your choice to choose
Samandresen8 said: iPads are great and so is the Nexus 7
mz said: But which one do you like the best and why I need to buy one of these for my 15 yr old son and he likes to watch movies first and play games second
Guest said: Drivel Androids selection of tablet apps is utterly dismal which makes iOS the better environment for tablet use
ML4 said: Yes iPad The user experience is so much better
ML4 said: Well said Jim Its just the same comments with the Android users It just goes to show they dont have any brains
Dhomer24 said: Alpesh I dont think you owned an iPad 3 your just making it up I have used iTunes for years and find it very rewarding Its so easy to use I even own an Apple TV and rent all my movies on it I will also say I would never swap a iPad 3 for a poorly made Nexus 7 with a tiny screen so you are talking bull
ML4 said: I use DocsToGo and Easy Books on the iPad 2 great apps for business
ML4 said: Yes I always say buy cheap and you buy twice
Dhomer24 said: Yes from an Android Fanboy Your all the same keep bring that one up
DroidInThePan said: Yes if you add 35 to the 159 Nexus 7 16gb that makes the cost 21465
ML4 said: The reason the Nexus 7 is less money than the iPad is that Google sell it at a loss and then hope to make a profit on the content they sell The Amazon Kindle is sold cheap for the same reason I think its ok for Apple to sell the iPad mini for a profit Thats plain business sense I would still pay the extra money for the Apple I had a bad experience with Samsung and therefore Android so wont be going back anytime soon
ML4 said: I like your view I was thinking of getting the cellular version but now I have second thoughts