Google Nexus 7 2 vs iPad Mini - FIGHT!
They’re tablets, they’re small and they’re both vying for your hard-earned cash – so how do they shape up on the specs front?
Google has just revealed the second generation of the Nexus 7 tablet,
and it has the iPad Mini firmly in its crosshairs. So how do the two
7(ish)-inchers square up when it comes to specs, design and software?
Winner: iPad Mini
The iPad Mini, however, does have a far larger screen, with around 30 percent extra space. And its colour reproduction and contrast are excellent. The extra screen real estate does, in our opinion, make for a better tablet app experience – while the Nexus 7's size (barely bigger than a phablet) makes it better for media consumption (videos, ebooks etc.).
Winner: Nexus 7
While we haven’t given the Nexus 7 a proper test yet, judging from its load-out it’ll offer markedly faster performance than the iPad Mini. And given that the latter is almost a year old, that’s unsurprising. It’ll be interesting to see how the next iPad Mini (possibly being unveiled in September) holds up against the new Nexus 7.
Winner: Nexus 7
iOS 6 is on board the iPad Mini, and it’s moved beyond its early issues (chiefly Maps, which you thankfully no longer have to use) to become just as intuitive and polished as previous versions. It’s more of a walled garden, more tightly controlled than Android, but for some that’s preferable. iOS has the better range of available apps too, especially when it comes to those designed specifically for tablets. And iOS 7, the biggest change in terms of visual design from a version of the OS yet, is just around the corner.
Winner: iPad Mini
Winner: Draw
Winner: Nexus 7
The iPad Mini has screen size and build quality in its favour, as well as iOS and access to a better range of tablet-tailored apps. It holds plenty of appeal for those who want to do more than just read ebooks, watch videos and browse the web – but that doesn’t seem enough to justify the price disparity.
We're calling this a narrow victory for the new Google Nexus 7. Your move, Apple.
Build quality
The iPad Mini is a gloriously well-made product, its aluminium and glass body exuding solidity when you hold it in your mitt. It’s thin and lightweight (a mere 308g ), and the bezel surrounding the screen is tiny. The plastic-dominated Google Nexus 7 doesn’t give the impression of being quite so solid or “premium” a product, but it does feel better in your hand than the Mini. It’s lighter, thinner and narrower than the previous Nexus 7, but retains a similarly soft-touch, slightly rubbery back.Winner: iPad Mini
Screen
The original Nexus 7, with a 7in screen and 1280 x 800 resolution, already had the beating of the iPad Mini with its 1024 x 768 7.9in display – at least when it comes to pixel density and sharpness – and Google has upped its game with the second-gen Nexus 7. The new model has a 7in 1920 x 1200 display, giving it a pixel density of 323ppi to the iPad Mini’s 162ppi. The performance has been boosted too: it’s now able to display 30 percent more colours.The iPad Mini, however, does have a far larger screen, with around 30 percent extra space. And its colour reproduction and contrast are excellent. The extra screen real estate does, in our opinion, make for a better tablet app experience – while the Nexus 7's size (barely bigger than a phablet) makes it better for media consumption (videos, ebooks etc.).
Winner: Nexus 7
Processing power
The new Nexus 7 has a 1.4GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 at its heart, accompanied by 2GB of RAM. The iPad Mini has an Apple-made dual-core A5 chip with 512MB of RAM.While we haven’t given the Nexus 7 a proper test yet, judging from its load-out it’ll offer markedly faster performance than the iPad Mini. And given that the latter is almost a year old, that’s unsurprising. It’ll be interesting to see how the next iPad Mini (possibly being unveiled in September) holds up against the new Nexus 7.
Winner: Nexus 7
Operating system
There was a time when Android couldn’t touch iOS in the usability stakes, but that’s no longer the case. With Jelly Bean, Google’s OS has finally reached a place where it can be talked about in the same breath as Apple’s: a smooth, crisp and lag-free interface. The new Nexus 7 comes with Android 4.3 (in fact it’s the first device to do so), which sports slightly more polish as well as a handful of new features, parental controls (you can prevent profiles accessing certain apps and making in-app purchases). Being a Nexus device, the OS is devoid of any third-party embellishments – it’s pure Google, and a slicker experience for it.iOS 6 is on board the iPad Mini, and it’s moved beyond its early issues (chiefly Maps, which you thankfully no longer have to use) to become just as intuitive and polished as previous versions. It’s more of a walled garden, more tightly controlled than Android, but for some that’s preferable. iOS has the better range of available apps too, especially when it comes to those designed specifically for tablets. And iOS 7, the biggest change in terms of visual design from a version of the OS yet, is just around the corner.
Winner: iPad Mini
Camera
While the original Nexus 7 was pretty pathetic in the snapper stakes, the new model has a 5MP camera on the rear and a 1.2MP camera on the front for Google Hangouts. The iPad Mini has the exact same setup. Without in-depth testing we can’t make a call on which is the better when it comes to delivering image quality, but the differences are likely to be fairly small.Winner: Draw
Connectivity
The iPad Mini is available with just Wi-Fi, or in a “Wi-Fi + Cellular” version that offers on-the-go Internet access at HSPA, HSPA+ and DC-HSDPA speeds (that’s faster than standard 3G, but not as fast as LTE’s “true” 4G). The new Nexus 7 is available in Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi/LTE modes, making it the better choice for mobile Internet.Winner: Nexus 7
Initial Verdict
Looking at the specs and pricing, the new Nexus 7 edges it in this contest. It’s far cheaper than the iPad Mini, especially as you move up the range; it features more processing power; it offers real 4G support; its screen is significantly sharper.The iPad Mini has screen size and build quality in its favour, as well as iOS and access to a better range of tablet-tailored apps. It holds plenty of appeal for those who want to do more than just read ebooks, watch videos and browse the web – but that doesn’t seem enough to justify the price disparity.
We're calling this a narrow victory for the new Google Nexus 7. Your move, Apple.
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