Nexus 7 (2013) vs the iPad mini: features compared

Google's latest Nexus 7 is here: how do it features line up against the iPad mini? Let's break it down.

(Credit: CNET)

Google's long-awaited Nexus 7 successor brings some much-needed updates to the table. It's also the latest step in a head-to-head race with the iPad mini.

Last year's Nexus 7 kicked off the small-tablet movement and predated the mini, with an aggressive price, comfortable design, but a set of features that were slightly bare-bones (no rear camera). The iPad mini offered a deeper feature set, but the new Nexus 7 has taken the lead -- at least, on paper -- once again.

ScreenThe new Nexus 7 has a 1,920x1,080 16:9 7-inch display, while the iPad mini has a larger 4:3 7.9-inch display at only 1,024x768. The iPad mini's screen was bigger and better than the original Nexus 7, but the new Nexus 7 has the clear edge here -- although color quality, brightness and viewing angles have yet to be determined.

(Credit: James Martin/CNET)

Processor/RAMThe 2013 Nexus 7 has a 1.5Ghz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor and Adreno 320 graphics, plus 2GB of RAM. Eric Franklin points out that these graphics match the Samsung Galaxy S4, but the processing power isn't as impressive as an Nvidia Tegra 4. In terms of gaming graphics, the Nexus 7 could have a big edge thanks to being OpenGL ES 3.0 capable, which adds a lot of extra graphics effects to games.

The iPad mini's processor is an A5, with performance similar to the fourth-gen iPod Touch and iPad 2. In short: it's a capable but older processor. And, it only has 512MB of RAM.

Storage size/price In small tablets, price is everything. On nearly every level, the Nexus 7 offers a better deal than the iPad mini: and, its storage configurations are less of a mark-up.

The 16GB Wi-Fi Nexus 7 costs $229, versus $329 for a 16GB iPad mini. The 32GB Nexus 7's only $269 -- $40 more -- while the 32GB iPad mini costs $429, a $100 upgrade.

The Nexus 7 also has an LTE-ready 32GB model for $349, and it's unlocked to work across Verizon, Sprint and AT&T. Apple's LTE iPad minis are carrier-specific. A 16GB LTE mini costs $459, and the 32GB version costs a whopping $559. The mini also comes in 64GB configurations.

(Credit: Eric Franklin/CNET)

Design/Color The Nexus 7 just comes in black. The iPad mini comes in black and white/aluminum.

(Credit: CNET)

Cameras The new Nexus 7 has a 1.2 megapixel front camera and 5 megapixel rear camera. The iPad mini does, too. We'll see which one takes better photos and video.

Wireless connectivity Both the Nexus 7 and iPad mini support Bluetooth 4.0 for low-power connected wireless devices and 802.11n Wi-Fi, but the new Nexus 7 also supports NFC for near-field communication uses like Google Wallet.

Operating system and apps The iPad mini currently runs iOS 6, but will get iOS 7 capability this fall, and runs the exact same apps and features as the larger Retina iPad, minus the Retina display. The Nexus 7 comes ready with Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, a new version of Android with a few additional tweaks like multi-user settings, which also enables Bluetooth Smart, the low-energy Bluetooth element.

The iPad mini already has Bluetooth 4.0, and iOS 7 is said to enable better support for Bluetooth accessories like game controllers and health monitors.

Apple has more tablet-optimized apps on a whole than Google, and a larger selection of games, but Google's making strides in gaming on Google Play.

Ports, extrasThe Nexus 7 has an HDMI output along with Micro USB, and even has wireless charging. The iPad mini has a Lightning connector for syncing and charging, and supports HDMI output, USB camera input and SD card camera card importing...with the purchase of accessories.

(Credit: Best Buy)

Conclusion (for now) The new Nexus 7 not only offers a better screen, processor and bells and whistles, but it remains less expensive across the board than October 2012 iPad mini.

The iPad mini's got a physically larger screen and the same wireless/camera capability, but it's clear that, right now, the Nexus 7 has a lot going for it. Of course, Apple's next iPads -- and perhaps a new iPad mini -- may only be a couple of months away.