The year 2013 didn't end peacefully. At least that's what Apple and Google wanted it to. The two technology tycoons just can't get enough in waging war against each other; hence, we are not surprised that the Apple iPad Mini 2 and the Google Nexus 7 2013 edition were released before we welcomed 2014 to our calendars. Now the thing with these tablets is that they are rather relatively smaller, which makes them very easy to carry and bring wherever and whenever. However, it's not every day where we get to buy two different tablets, so we came up with this comparative review to help you decide which device is the better pick for you.
Apple iPad Mini 2 over Google Nexus 7
When it comes to design and over-all build, the Apple iPad Mini 2 definitely catches our attention with its uni-body construction that is made more premium by its brushed aluminum casing. Nonetheless, we don't really have a problem with the soft touch matte body of the Google Nexus 7 which is also sturdy and attractive in its own right.
We all know that bigger screen size means better, and between these two tablets, it's obvious that the iPad Mini 2 flaunts a bigger screen size at 7.9 inches. What's more is that Apple has incorporated its Retina display technology to this device giving it a 2048 x 1536 resolution, giving it an edge over Nexus 7's 7-inch, 1920 x 1200 display. What's good about the Google Nexus 7 though is that it can keep up to the clarity of the display the Apple iPad Mini 2 offers because of its relatively smaller screen size. Nonetheless, we are giving this round to iPad Mini 2 since web browsing and video playback are made better by its larger and visually sharp screen display.
If you have been reading technology news in the recent months, then you probably have heard about the software updates on these two very different devices with very different Operating Systems. Apple launched its iOS7 while Android revealed its Android 4.4 KitKat update. When it comes to these devices though, we definitely like how the iOS7 further enhances the beauty of the iPad Mini 2. The clean interface of the iOS 7 and its very simplistic design is a tad better than the Android 4.4 Jelly Bean antics found in the Google Nexus 7 tablet. (Yes! The tablet does not come with Android 4.4 out of the box) Although there are a lot of things and quite interesting feats the Google Nexus 7's OS proudly flaunts on the get go, our recommendation goes to Apple for this round since its App Store and its massive number of apps are well polished compared to their Android counterparts.
When talking about processors, the iPad Mini 2 is ahead with its 64-bit dual-core A7 processor clocked at 1.3 GHz. Nevertheless, the processor in the Google Nexus 7 does not fall behind with its quite snappy quad-core 1.5 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S$ Pro chipset.
In terms of memory, the Apple iPad Mini 2 is still on the lead with its 4 variants: 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB. Meanwhile, we are disappointed with the Google Nexus 7's 16GB and 32GB variants without any option for memory expansion.
Finally, if you are looking for a tablet device that can last for long hours with a single charge, then we recommend the Apple iPad Mini 2 with its non-removable Li-Po 23.8 Wh battery, which can last up to 10 hours amid extensive use. Nonetheless, the Google Nexus 7 also sport a competitive non-removable Li-Ion 3950 mAh battery which can last for up to 9 hours on the very least even when a number of apps are running.
Google Nexus 7 over Apple iPad Mini 2
The first thing that you will notice about the Google Nexus 7 tablet is its easy-to-grip and easy-to-carry form. Although we like the screen size and the shape of the Apple iPad Mini 2, using it with one hand feels a bit awkward unless you have really big hands. The sleeker form of the Nexus 7 2013 edition, on the other hand, is just right if not manageable for most of us.
When it comes to camera technology, both devices actually sport the same 5 MP rear-facing camera and 1.2 MP front-facing shooter. Both have delightful feats such as geo-tagging, face detection, touch focus, and HDR, but for this round we'd like to hand it to the Google Nexus 7, which somehow exceeded our expectation given its price. Furthermore, although we must admit that the rear-facing shooters for these devices are nowhere near the stellar ones found in high-end smartphones, the camera in the Google Nexus 7 was able to deliver more vibrant photos. But if you are an avid fan of Apple devices, we're sure you wouldn't mind its camera since the company is not really gearing for that feature in advertising its products.
In terms of RAM, the all-new Nexus 7 sports 2GB while the iPad Mini 2 comes with a decent 1GB. Although you can't really tell the difference when it comes to their capacity to handle multiple tasks, we're simply giving this round to the Nexus 7 since the extra GB gives its over-all performance a boost.
At $230 for its base model, we'd definitely feel that Google Nexus 7 offers us more than what we pay for given all of its competitive features and specs. Its modest design and sturdy build give us all the more reason to favor it given its price point. Meanwhile, if you don't mind adding spending as much as $400 for your tablet, then the iPad Mini 2 with Retina Display is the device to go after. It's a bag of never-ending good stuff that will satiate your iOS 7 craving to the bare bone.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
