Apple iPad mini the Google Nexus 7 Compared

Pricing. The Apple iPad mini is finally officially here, so it can be purchased at much more reasonable prices. Compared to the Google Nexus 7, pricing still favors the Nexus 7. 

The Nexus 7 is offered in only two models, a 32 GB WiFi only model and a 32 GB 3G model. 

The 32 GB WiFi only Nexus 7 is priced at Php14,490, or 1.5K below the price of the Apple iPad mini 16 GB. If you compare the 32 GB model of the iPad mini priced at Php20,990 with the Nexus 7, the price difference grows to 6.5K.

The 3G model of the Nexus 7 is priced at Php17,350. The entry level Cellular model of the the Apple iPad mini starts at 21,990. This makes it 4.6K more expensive. If you compare the 32 GB model of the iPad mini Cellular priced priced at Php26,990with the Nexus 7, the price difference grows to 9.5K.

Nexus 7 has the advantage in screen resolution and power. The Nexus 7 has a higher resolution display, with a 7-inch HD (1280 x 800) display which has a 216 ppi pixel density. The iPad mini has a 1024 x 768 display with a lower 162 ppi pixel density. 

The Nexus 7 also has a quad core Tegra 3 and 1 GB of RAM, which is still cutting edge technology. The Apple iPad mini has 2011 tech, with the same A5 chip and PowerVR SGX543MP2 GPU from the iPad 2. The model on the iPad mini is probably the more power efficient 32 nm model.

The iPad Mini provides more screen real estate in a lighter package. The iPad mini has a  larger 7.9-inch display compare to the Nexus 7. This does mean it is a bigger, and it all of 1.5 mm taller and 14.7 mm wider. But the iPad mini is 3.3 mm thinner and 10% lighter than the Nexus 7. Overall, I would say it provides more screen real estate and is just as handy as the Nexus 7.

The Nexus 7 has multiuser support. With Android 4.2 installed the Nexus 7 has multiuser support. Meaning it can have several different user accounts which different users can log into. Network settings and app permissions are shared among all users on the tablet. Wallpapers, home screen and lock screen layouts, PINs, screen brightness, and individual app settings are unique to each user. This makes the Nexus 7 better if you plan to share the device among several users.

The iPad mini has better cameras. The iPad mini has a 5MP primary camera, which can capture 1080p video, and a 1.2 MP front camera which can shoot 720p video. The Nexus 7 only comes with one camera, a 1.2 MP front camera which is primarily for video calls, but can capture 720p video. 

The Nexus 7 is better for HD playback. When playing HD video, the Nexus 7 uses almost the entire display and plays 720 videos at its native resolution. The iPad mini has a SD ratio display (4:3) which means it does not play HD video (16:9) optimally and has to scale down 720 video from 1280 x 720 to 1024 x 624,

Only the iPad mini has a 64 GB model. The iPad mini has a 64  GB model. The Nexus 7 does not, and does not come with a MicroSD card slot. 

The iPad mini will eventually have LTE. The iPad mini is not sold as an LTE device, but it does have an LTE radio. When that happens depends on when the local carriers LTE networks are accredited by Apple, at which time Apple will enable LTE in its devices in the Philippines. I have no idea of when this might happen.

It's a though choice between the two. The Nexus 7 is the value money option. The iPad mini has its own set of advantages with the biggest one being a larger display and future LTE support.