Introduction:Finally venturing off into a new size category, Apple now has a direct competitor to the renowned Google Nexus 7, which was recently updated slightly with more memory. Although it’s quite obvious that one is indeed smaller than the other, there’s no questioning that many consumers are going to keep the two into consideration when shopping around for compact sized tablets – as opposed to the traditional hunky ones we’re commonly exposed to. In the end, it goes without saying that there are a lot of people curious to know which of the two should they invest their money in, but more importantly, which one will deliver the most value.
Design:
Rather than stating the obvious, we’ll merely point out some of our likes and dislikes between the two. For the iPad mini, it surely stands out most for its impeccable construction, higher-quality choice of materials, and its incredible svelte body (0.28” thin), which we have to admit, makes the Nexus 7 look hulky (0.41” thick) in comparison. Conversely, we find the Google Nexus 7 easier to handle in the hand, which is attributed to its narrower body. Ultimately, it’s hard to overlook the iPad mini’s superb construction, which goes to show why it’s the higher priced tablet.
Seeing that it’s delivering the pure Android experience, the typical set of Android buttons are incorporated into the Nexus 7’s interface – whereas with the iPad mini, it’s still rocking Apple’s distinct recessed home button.
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The Apple iPad mini (left) and the Google Nexus 7 (right)
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Sharing many commonalities around their trims, these include their microphones, 3.5mm headset jacks, power buttons, volume controls, and power/data ports. With the latter, however, the Google Nexus 7 relies on the favorable microUSB port – with the iPad mini opting to employ Apple’s new Lighting docking port. As for their speakers, the iPad mini features left and right ones on its bottom trim, while the Nexus 7 has a single small strip in its rear.
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Bottom
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Right
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Top
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The sides of the Apple iPad mini (bottom) and the Google Nexus 7 (top)
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Backs
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Front cameras
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The Apple iPad mini (left) and the Google Nexus 7 (right)
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Display:
Strangely, some people will be irked in their attempt to fathom how one tablet is priced more, but has the lower resolution display between the two. Even though the iPad mini is flaunting a larger 7.9-inch IPS LCD display, it’s simply lacking any sharp details with its surprisingly low resolution of 1024 x 768 (162 ppi). In contrast, the Google Nexus 7 impresses us more with its attention for detail thanks to its 7-inch WXGA 1280 x 800 IPS display (216 ppi). From a normal distance, one would have a tough time trying to distinguish which of the two is exhibiting the sharper visuals, but upon closer inspection, the question is soundly put to sleep, as the Nexus 7 delivers the goods. However, they do share some other very favorable aspects – like their iridescent color tones, wide viewing angles, high brightness output, and good outdoor visibility.
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Viewing angles
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Color production
The Apple iPad mini (left) and the Google Nexus 7 (right) | ||
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Interface and Functionality:
Here we go again folks, as we’re pitting iOS 6.0 against the pure Android 4.1 Jelly Bean experience. Considering that Apple didn’t do anything different for the iPad mini, we continue to appreciate the simplicity and straightforward approach of iOS 6 – making it the easier platform to navigate for first-time users. With this most up-to-date version of iOS, Apple has undoubtedly enhanced the experience, but as a whole, it doesn’t encompass the totality surrounding the Jelly Bean experience of the Nexus 7. Specifically, you get some very cool features on the Google Nexus 7 that are extensive and practical – such as Google Now, enhanced Google Voice Search, and the rich Google ecosystem. At the same time, you get a ton more personalization with the Nexus 7, but to be fair, other people are more content to experience something that adheres to being simple and easy to use the first time around.
Keeping up with being organized, we find ourselves having a more intimate relationship with the Google Nexus 7. Already, we’ve mentioned the vital role of Google Now with the experience, but it’s even better when it connects with most of the core organizer apps and extends beyond it – like giving us sports updates for our favorite teams and traffic directions on our way home. Well, it’s not to say that the iPad mini can’t compete too in this category, especially when Siri offers us a similar experience, but it doesn’t have the level of depth that Google Now provides.
Since it’s the narrower tablet, we actually prefer typing on the Nexus 7’s on-screen portrait keyboard – whereas with the iPad mini, there’s still some stretching required by our thumbs to encompass its layout. However, that can be quickly remedied by opting to go with the iPad mini’s split keyboard. And finally, we can’t say that we like one device more than the other when it comes to using the landscape options.
On the surface, the two the devices carry out the email process with all the basic features we’d expect to find – like having a quick setup process and an organized inbox management system. At the minimum, the two are undeniably fit for the occasion, but the Gmail experience of the Google Nexus 7 transcends over what the iPad mini has to offer with its email app.
Processor and Memory:
Even though it appears as though the Google Nexus 7 is outfitted with the beefier hardware, the real world performance of the two tablets are parallel to one another. Looking at the iPad mini, it’s powered by a dual-core 1GHz Apple A5 processor with 512MB of RAM, which the average person might view as insignificant to the Nexus 7’s quad-core NVIDIA Tegra 3 CPU with 1GB of RAM. Yet, the final outcomes are the same on both devices! Basically, we find them being very responsive with all similar tasks.
With the base models of the two tablets, they both pack 16GB of internal storage – with no option of expanding that tally whatsoever. Alternatively, there are also 32GB versions available with the two, but it’s only the iPad mini that offers a 64GB model.
Internet and Connectivity:
Delivering all the lovable qualities we’d expect to find with a fantastic web browsing experience, such as peppy page loads, fluid navigational controls, and proper rendering, there’s a lot to like about both tablets in this category. Diving deeper with the two respective browsers, Chrome and Safari, we feel as though there are engaging features attached with the former. To be more specific, we like the deeper sharing functionality and quick swipe gestures to switch between tabs found with Chrome.
Naturally, the two are available in Wi-Fi form, but it’s only the iPad mini that’s offered in a 4G LTE flavor, while the Nexus 7 has an HSPA+ version. The two also feature aGPS and Bluetooth, though, it’s the Nexus 7 that’s packing NFC to meet the future demand of mobile payment.
Here we go again folks, as we’re pitting iOS 6.0 against the pure Android 4.1 Jelly Bean experience. Considering that Apple didn’t do anything different for the iPad mini, we continue to appreciate the simplicity and straightforward approach of iOS 6 – making it the easier platform to navigate for first-time users. With this most up-to-date version of iOS, Apple has undoubtedly enhanced the experience, but as a whole, it doesn’t encompass the totality surrounding the Jelly Bean experience of the Nexus 7. Specifically, you get some very cool features on the Google Nexus 7 that are extensive and practical – such as Google Now, enhanced Google Voice Search, and the rich Google ecosystem. At the same time, you get a ton more personalization with the Nexus 7, but to be fair, other people are more content to experience something that adheres to being simple and easy to use the first time around.
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The iPad mini is running the iOS 6.0
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The Google Nexus 7 comes with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
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Keeping up with being organized, we find ourselves having a more intimate relationship with the Google Nexus 7. Already, we’ve mentioned the vital role of Google Now with the experience, but it’s even better when it connects with most of the core organizer apps and extends beyond it – like giving us sports updates for our favorite teams and traffic directions on our way home. Well, it’s not to say that the iPad mini can’t compete too in this category, especially when Siri offers us a similar experience, but it doesn’t have the level of depth that Google Now provides.
Since it’s the narrower tablet, we actually prefer typing on the Nexus 7’s on-screen portrait keyboard – whereas with the iPad mini, there’s still some stretching required by our thumbs to encompass its layout. However, that can be quickly remedied by opting to go with the iPad mini’s split keyboard. And finally, we can’t say that we like one device more than the other when it comes to using the landscape options.
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The keyboard options found on the Apple iPad mini
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The virtual keyboard of the Google Nexus 7
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On the surface, the two the devices carry out the email process with all the basic features we’d expect to find – like having a quick setup process and an organized inbox management system. At the minimum, the two are undeniably fit for the occasion, but the Gmail experience of the Google Nexus 7 transcends over what the iPad mini has to offer with its email app.
Processor and Memory:
Even though it appears as though the Google Nexus 7 is outfitted with the beefier hardware, the real world performance of the two tablets are parallel to one another. Looking at the iPad mini, it’s powered by a dual-core 1GHz Apple A5 processor with 512MB of RAM, which the average person might view as insignificant to the Nexus 7’s quad-core NVIDIA Tegra 3 CPU with 1GB of RAM. Yet, the final outcomes are the same on both devices! Basically, we find them being very responsive with all similar tasks.
With the base models of the two tablets, they both pack 16GB of internal storage – with no option of expanding that tally whatsoever. Alternatively, there are also 32GB versions available with the two, but it’s only the iPad mini that offers a 64GB model.
Internet and Connectivity:
Delivering all the lovable qualities we’d expect to find with a fantastic web browsing experience, such as peppy page loads, fluid navigational controls, and proper rendering, there’s a lot to like about both tablets in this category. Diving deeper with the two respective browsers, Chrome and Safari, we feel as though there are engaging features attached with the former. To be more specific, we like the deeper sharing functionality and quick swipe gestures to switch between tabs found with Chrome.
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Browsing the web with Safari
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The browser of the Google Nexus 7
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Naturally, the two are available in Wi-Fi form, but it’s only the iPad mini that’s offered in a 4G LTE flavor, while the Nexus 7 has an HSPA+ version. The two also feature aGPS and Bluetooth, though, it’s the Nexus 7 that’s packing NFC to meet the future demand of mobile payment.
Camera:
Indeed, these two small bundles of joy are packing front-facing cameras for all our video-chatting and self-portrait needs, but the iPad mini is the only one to pack a rear camera. For a tablet, the results put out by the iPad mini are undoubtedly top-notch, as it clearly produces better looking images and videos than some of its highly esteemed colleagues. So yeah, the Google Nexus 7 is going on the backburner for this one because it’s lacking one – giving the advantage to the iPad mini.
Multimedia:
There’s nothing particularly new with the music players of both tablets, as they are simply rehashed, but between them, the Google Play Music app in the Nexus 7 boasts the more lively looking interface. Independently, their speakers produce strong tones that are easily audible to the ear – and without distortion too. However, as we play the same songs simultaneously, the iPad mini’s stereo speakers resonate loudly over its competition.
Even though the Nexus 7 has the edge when it comes to resolution and pixel density, it doesn’t come into play with watching high-definition videos. To tell you the truth, both are pleasant for the occasion – partly because they exhibit smooth playbacks and colorful tones. However, we have to admit that it’s nice to see the Nexus 7 supporting a wider array of video codecs out of the box.
Indeed, these two small bundles of joy are packing front-facing cameras for all our video-chatting and self-portrait needs, but the iPad mini is the only one to pack a rear camera. For a tablet, the results put out by the iPad mini are undoubtedly top-notch, as it clearly produces better looking images and videos than some of its highly esteemed colleagues. So yeah, the Google Nexus 7 is going on the backburner for this one because it’s lacking one – giving the advantage to the iPad mini.
Multimedia:
There’s nothing particularly new with the music players of both tablets, as they are simply rehashed, but between them, the Google Play Music app in the Nexus 7 boasts the more lively looking interface. Independently, their speakers produce strong tones that are easily audible to the ear – and without distortion too. However, as we play the same songs simultaneously, the iPad mini’s stereo speakers resonate loudly over its competition.
Even though the Nexus 7 has the edge when it comes to resolution and pixel density, it doesn’t come into play with watching high-definition videos. To tell you the truth, both are pleasant for the occasion – partly because they exhibit smooth playbacks and colorful tones. However, we have to admit that it’s nice to see the Nexus 7 supporting a wider array of video codecs out of the box.
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Placing their brightness level to the automatic setting, combined with our normal usage, and strictly connected via Wi-Fi, the iPad mini is the one that delivers the longer battery life. Although the Google Nexus 7 establishes a commendable mark of a single day, Apple’s offering continues to chug along well into the next day – delivering a total tally of 1 ½ days on a single charge.
Conclusion:
Value is something that’s profoundly in the minds of consumers, especially in this unpredictable economy we’re in right now. At $200, there’s clearly a ton of value found with the Google Nexus 7, while at the same time, it’s wonderful to know that it’s not going to drain your pockets entirely. Frankly, its design pales in comparison to the premium nature of the iPad mini, but it’s actually sporting some impressive hardware under the hood – like it’s higher resolution display and quad-core processor. In addition, the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean experience has the edge over iOS 6 over on the iPad mini.
So why would anyone side with the $330 priced iPad mini? As we’ve made it obvious already, its premium design and construction is in a league of its own – blowing away what the Nexus 7 has to show. On top of that, there’s a rear camera that some people will find beneficial in those unpredictable moments when something needs to be captured. And even though the software experience doesn’t match the level found with its rival in some aspects, it’s both effective and functional in keeping us productive at the same level.
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