By: iPadfanzz Editor on April 11, 2013
Some might say that comparing the iPad mini to the Nexus 7 is like comparing apples to oranges. They’re very different devices, with different ecosystems and an even more contrasting user base. So comparing specifications simply does not make sense. Instead, I’ll be comparing certain important aspects which matter in everyday use.
Quite clearly, Nexus 7 had twice the speed of the iPad Mini in Geekbench tests. This means that running a demanding gaming app will give you a certain lag in performance of iPad Mini. On the other hand, the Nexus 7, with its class-leading Tegra chip, is very fast. Games are all a breeze on the tablet. However, the iPad Mini comes with more than enough power to run iOS smoothly and the GPU is world class. So the Nexus 7 comes out ahead for the processors and the iPad Mini wins for the GPU.
Battery Life
App Search Results (as of 03/2013)
If you’re shopping for a 7-inch tablet, there’s absolutely no shortage of options. It’s undeniable, however, that the leading choices are Apple’s iPad mini and Google’s Nexus 7. We’ve reviewed both of these devices individually, but it’s time to put them head-to-head.
We’re also extremely pleased to announce that we’ll be offering five 32GB Nexus 7s through our Rewards program. If you’re unfamiliar with our Rewards program, head over to our gaming guide and Rewards FAQ to find out more.
The display
Given that iPad Mini is more expensive than the competition, many would have expected it to come with Retina display. However, the screen resolution is not a scoring point for the mini. The Apple iPad mini has the lowest resolution and pixel density at 1024 x 768 and 163ppi. On the other hand, the Nexus 7 offers 1280 x 800 resolution and factoring in the screen size, it has a higher pixel density at 216ppi. It means that text, video and images are sharper on the Nexus 7.
When put together both the tablets side-by-side, you’ll immediately notice the difference. The display of Nexus 7 is bright and clear, with crisp and vibrant colours and text, even outdoors, while on the other hand, the colors at iPad Mini seems washed out. If you’ve been using a full-size Pad 3 for a while, a retina iPhone such as the iPhone 4, 4S or 5, then you’re going to notice a difference in screen quality.
The Nexus 7’s 16:9 screen and rectangular shape makes it the perfect size for cradling in one hand for reading. At the same time, the iPad mini has a 4:3 screen, resulting in a wider device overall that’s a little larger, which makes cradling a bit hard. On activities such as gaming, Apple’s bigger screen real estate will come good. When it comes to browsing the web or anything else, it’s just nice to have a bit more space.
In terms of screen technology, both are IPS panels. The iPad mini is LED backlit and the Nexus 7 is straight LCD. This means better colour reproduction.
Advantage: Nexus 7
Cost
On the price front, the Nexus 7 is the clear winner. The 16GB model comes for just under $200; whereas the iPad mini (Wi-Fi only model) in the same capacity is $130 dearer. In fact, the price difference gets even steeper as we move higher along the product line.
16GB Nexus 7: $199
16GB iPad mini: $329
Price difference: $130
32GB Nexus 7: $249
32GB iPad mini: $429
Price difference: $180
32GB Nexus 7 (Wi-Fi + cellular): $299
32GB iPad mini (Wi-Fi + cellular): $559
Price difference: $260
The higher price point for the Apple’s premium small size tablet won’t pinch those who want to go with the Apple brand. However, if you don’t want to go for the premium and are satisfied with what ASUS Nexus 7 has to offer, then Nexus 7 is persuasive indeed. Although it is not to say that Nexus 7 does not give the premium feeling, but it is not same class that Apple has come up with.
Advantage: Nexus 7
Dimensions and design
The Nexus 7 is a 7” tablet while the iPad Mini has 7.9 size. You woundn’t imagine this 0.9 inch of screen size adds 35 per cent of screen real estate to the tablet, and the difference is noticeable. The mini is also noticeably thinner and lighter than most of its 7-inch rivals, including the Nexus 7.
For many people the iPad mini is the perfect tablet, much more mobile and handy than the larger 10-inch iPad. Between the two, the iPad mini, with its glass and aluminium construction, is slightly more appealing. It also looks more expensive – holding the tablet without a case also makes it pretty attractive.
The Nexus 7 only weighs 0.75 lb. and measures 0.41” (10.45 mm) thick and this makes it good option as a typical e-book reader. The Nexus 7’s dimpled matte back is grippy and feels nice. The Google tablet employs tapered and angular edges, with a textured rubber back cover.
Advantage: iPad Mini
Processor and performance
Both the iPad mini and Nexus 7 are good in handling standard tablet activities, like email or web browsing, absolutely fine. Google's Nexus 7 is equipped with a 1.2GHz nVidia Tegra 3 quad-core chip along 1GB of RAM. The iPad Mini is equipped with Apple's A5 1GHz dual-core processor which was used in the iPhone 4S and iPad 2. It has 512MB of RAM.
Here are the results of benchmark tests:| Benchmark | Apple iPad mini | Google Nexus 7 |
| GeekBench 2 | 752 | 1452 |
| SunSpider (JavaScript) | 1442ms | 1682ms |
| GLBenchmark | 24fps | 14fps |
Quite clearly, Nexus 7 had twice the speed of the iPad Mini in Geekbench tests. This means that running a demanding gaming app will give you a certain lag in performance of iPad Mini. On the other hand, the Nexus 7, with its class-leading Tegra chip, is very fast. Games are all a breeze on the tablet. However, the iPad Mini comes with more than enough power to run iOS smoothly and the GPU is world class. So the Nexus 7 comes out ahead for the processors and the iPad Mini wins for the GPU.
Advantage: Nexus 7
The Nexus 7 has a battery life of 4325 mAh while the iPad mini has a 4440 mAh battery. On standby with Wi-Fi enabled, the Nexus 7′s battery will drain in just a couple of days whereas on the iPad mini, the battery meter wouldn’t have even flinched. Thus, iPad Mini has an advantage here.
Advantage: iPad Mini
App ecosystem
Apple's infamous App Store has reached the milestone of 800,000 apps, a new study from App Hero has found. The study found that 56.2 per cent of the apps on the App Store are free. On a daily basis, there are over 850 new apps are released, from the more than 200,000 developers who have submitted to the App Store. Roughly each developer has submitted three apps. Breaking it down, of the 800,000 apps, 689,000 of are for iPhone and 332,800 are for the iPad. Furthermore, the App Store is made up of 20.8 per cent games, 2,400 of which are racing games and 2,300 of which are Sodoku games. As for what sort of apps are on offer, there is every type of imaginable app available.
In comparison, Google Play is sitting at around the same number of apps, data suggests. However, what is significant here is that the apps in Apple App Store are of significantly high quality as compared to Google Play.
App Search Results (as of 03/2013)
“comic book” | “comics” | “manga” | |
1888 | 13,070 | 4868 | |
714 | 2,765 | 738 |
Advantage: iPad Mini
Content: Films, music, books, etc
Clearly, Apple has an advantage when it comes to content. iTunes started earlier and is now in more countries and provides bigger spectrum of content than anyone else. Google, on the other hand, provides a lot of its own content now with Google Play, and you have access to enough third party content.
For instance, take the Facebook app. On the iPad mini, the Facebook application mimics the desktop layout as closely as possible. On the Nexus 7 however, it’s merely a blown up version designed for Android smartphones.
Advantage: iPad Mini
VoIP
Video calling on Skype on both tablets and the quality was good. There was no discernible difference between the two.
Advantage: iPad Mini and Nexus 7
Connections
Besides a 3.5mm headphone jack there’s not much on either tablet other than the one you use to charge it. For the iPad, this is a Lightning connector; for the Nexus, a Micro-USB.
The latter is simply more handy, just because most people are privy to a Micro-USB charger, should you forget your connector. Apple’s Lightning port means new accessories or an investment in the 30-pin adapter.
Advantage: Nexus 7
Verdict
In simple words, the Nexus 7 is good and an affordable tablet and there’s isn’t much to disappoint the users. It is a great all-rounder. On the other hand, the Mini, has the Apple brand with it and gives the satisfaction of using a premium small tablet by the Cupertino . It has more screen real estate, fascinating number of high quality apps, but no retina display. The Mini is more expensive than the Nexus 7. So as a buyer it is up to you to decide which tablet would you want to go with.
