iPad Air & Mini (Retina) vs. Competitions: A Comparison
Christmas came early for Apple fans with plenty of goodies announced in the Oct 22 Apple Keynote. Aside from a free OS upgrade (yes, Mavericks is free), free apps (iLife and iWork), and upgraded MacBooks, Apple has (as expected) released a new iPad and iPad mini: the iPad Air and iPad mini with Retina display.
So far, Apple has reportedly sold 170 million iPads and is dominating 81% of the tablet market thanks to innovative design and their 475000 iPad Apps, no less. Having said that, here’s why you (still) should buy the newest versions of the iPad and iPad mini.
iPad Air
Guess what? It’s thinner, lighter, faster, sturdier and it has a new name: the iPad Air. Apple has reduced the bezels of the 9.7-inch display device by 43%, making it a copy of the current iPad mini. Compared to its predecessor, it’s 20% thinner now at 7.6mm from 9.4mm, and weighs just 1 pound, shaving off 0.4 pounds from that iPad you are holding.
It’ll be powered by the new 64-bit Apple A7 chip together with the M7 motion coprocessor, much like the new iPhone 5s. The iPad Air will also feature MIMO technology, making its 802.11n wireless faster and with a more worldwide LTE coverage.
The iPad Air will have new Facetime HD front-facing cameras and dual microphones to capture the best sound. All of these powerful features will run with the same battery life of 10 hours. No Touch ID is reported.
Price and availability
The iPad Air will replace the 4th Generation iPad but remain at the same price of $499 for the 16GB Wi-Fi and $629 for the 16GB LTE version. The first wave of Silver & White, and Space Grey & Black (sorry, no Gold) iPad Air will ship November 1 to more than 40 countries.
iPad Air and its predecessor
Here is how the iPad Air stacks up against its predecessor, the iPad with Retina Display
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| iPad Air | iPad with Retina Display | ||||
| Storage/Price (WiFi) | 16GB / $499 | 16GB / $499 | |||
| 32GB / $599 | 32GB / $599 | ||||
| 64GB / $699 | 64GB / $699 | ||||
| 128GB / $799 | 128GB / $799 | ||||
| Storage/Price (LTE) | 16GB / $629 | 16GB / $629 | |||
| 32GB / $729 | 32GB / $729 | ||||
| 64GB / $829 | 64GB / $829 | ||||
| 128GB / $929 | 128GB / $929 | ||||
| Resolution | 2048 x 1536 | 2048×1536 | |||
| Dimensions (mm) | H240 x W169.5 x T7.5mm | H241.2 x W185.7 x T9.4 | |||
| Weight | 469g, 478g (LTE) | 652g, 662 (LTE) | |||
| Display Size (inch) | 9.7 | 9.7 | |||
| Processor | 64-bit A7 chip with M7 Motion | Apple A6X Dual-Core with Quad-Core graphics | |||
| RAM | TBA | 1GB | |||
| Battery Life | 10 hours | 10 hours | |||
| Network | MIMO WiFi / LTE | Wi-Fi / LTE | |||
| Back Camera | 5MP iSight | 5-megapixel iSight | |||
| Front Camera | New FaceTime HD Camera | 1.2MP | |||
| Additional Features | Bluetooth 4.0 | ||||
IPad Air vs. Other 10" Tablets
Let’s check out how the new iPad Air fares against the competition.
Microsoft Surface
Microsoft’s new Surface 2 RT is powered by a 1.7GHz quad-core processor and runs Windows 8.1 RT. It has a 10.6" display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080. The Surface 2 RT has 1080p front and back cameras and comes in 16, 32 and 64 GB variants, with expandable storage via MicroSD. Microsoft claims you can run 10 hours on battery for the Surface 2.
Starts from $449 – Read a review
Nokia Lumia 2520
Fresh from the oven, Nokia’s new Lumia 2520 tablet is a 10.1" tablet running Windows 8.1 RT. It’s powered by a 2.2GHz quad-core processor and has a 1920 x 1080 display. It has a 6.7 megapixel back camera and a 2 megapixel front-facing camera. The battery will last 10 hours. It’s also only going to be sold through wireless carriers with 4G LTE networks.
$499 – Read a review
Sony Xperia Tablet Z
Sony’s Xperia Z is a 10.1" tablet running a modified version of Android 4.1. Its 1.5GHz quad-core processor powers a 1920 x 1200 display. An interesting feature of the Xperia Z is that it’s waterproof (!) with a rating of IPX5 to IPX7. It also supports NFC and Bluetooth 4.0, and lasts 9 hours on its battery.
$499 – Read a review
Google Nexus 10
The Google Nexus 10 has a remarkable 2560 x 1600 screen, powered by a dual-core 1.7GHz processor. It runs Android 4.3. It comes in 16GB and 32GB variants but does not have expandable storage. It support LTE either, so you’ll have to stay close to WiFi if you want to browse the Internet.The battery should last you up to 9 hours per charge.
Starts from $399
iPad Air Vs 10-inch Tablets (Summarized)
Nothing beats the table format when it comes to quick comparisons.
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| iPad Air | Surface 2 (RT) | Lumia 2520 | Xperia Tablet Z | Nexus 10 | |
| Manufacturer | Apple | Microsoft | Nokia | Sony | Samsung |
| Price | $499 – $799 / $629 – $929 (LTE) | $449, $459 | $499 | $499 | $399, $499 |
| OS | iOS 7 | Windows 8.1 RT | Windows 8.1 RT | Android | Android 4.3 |
| Resolution | 2048 x 1536 | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1200 | 2560 x 1600 |
| Dimensions (mm) | H240 x W169.5 x T7.5 | H172 x W274.5 x T9 | TBA | H172 x W266 x T6.9 | H177.6 x W263.9 x T8.9 |
| Weight | 469g, 478g (LTE) | 676g | 615g | 495g | 603g |
| Display Size (inch) | 9.7 | 10.6 | 10.1 | 10.1 | 10 |
| Processor | 64-bit A7 chip with M7 Motion | Quad-Core 1.7GHz | Quad-Core 2.2GHz | Quad-Core 1.5GHz | Dual-Core 1.7GHz |
| RAM | n/a | 2GB | 2GB | 2GB | 2GB |
| Battery Life | 10 hours | 10 hours | 10 hours | 9 hours | 9 hours |
| Network | MIMO WiFi / LTE | WiFi / LTE | WiFi / LTE | WiFi / LTE | WiFi |
| Storage (GB) | 16 / 32 / 64 / 128 | 16 / 32 / 64 | 32 | 16 / 32 | 16 / 32 |
| Expandable Storage | — | MicroSD | MicroSD | MicroSD | — |
| Back Camera | 5MP iSight | 1080p | 6.7MP | 8.1MP | 5MP |
| Front Camera | New FaceTime HD Camera | 1080p | 2MP | 2.2MP | 1.9MP |
| Input Ports | Lightning Connector | USB 3.0, HD Video Out | Micro USB 3.0, Micro HDMI | Micro USB | Micro USB, Micro HDMI |
| Additional Features | — | Cover accesories | TBA | IPX5/7 Water-resistance, NFC, Bluetooth 4.0 | NFC |
iPad Mini With Retina display
The biggest change to the iPad mini which everyone has been asking for is finally here: Retina display. The new iPad mini with Retina display boasts a 2048 x 1536 resolution 7.9-inch display; that’s a whopping 326 pixels per inch.
Not only is the resolution same as the iPad Air, but it’ll have the same 64-bit Apple A7 processor, M7 motion coprocessor, MIMO technology, and more worldwide LTE Coverage. Expect it to run on a 10-hour battery life.
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Price and Availability
The newest version of the iPad mini with Retina display will be available starting at $399 with 16GB WiFi, and $529 with 16GB LTE version. For full prices, check out the table below. Available in Silver/White and Space Grey/Black variants, shipping for the iPad mini with Retina display will begin sometime in November.
iPad Mini and Its Predecessor
We know the newest iPad mini has Retina display but that’s not all the upgrade it got. Check out this comparison table.
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| iPad Mini with Retina Display | iPad Mini | |||
| Storage/Price (WiFi) | 16GB / $399 | 16GB / $329 | ||
| 32GB / $499 | 32GB / $429 | |||
| 64GB / $599 | 64GB / $529 | |||
| 128GB / $699 | ||||
| Storage/Price (LTE) | 16GB / $529 | 16GB / $459 | ||
| 32GB / $629 | 32GB / $559 | |||
| 64GB / $729 | 64GB / $659 | |||
| 128GB / $829 | ||||
| Resolution | 2048 x 1536 | 1024×768 | ||
| Dimensions (mm) | H200 x W134.7 x T7.5mm | H200 x W134.7 x T7.2 | ||
| Weight | 331g, 341g (LTE) | 308g, 312g (LTE) | ||
| Display Size (inch) | 7.9 | 7.9 | ||
| Processor | 64-bit A7 chip with M7 Motion | Apple A5 Dual-Core | ||
| RAM | TBA | 512MB | ||
| Battery Life | 10 hours | 10 hours | ||
| Network | MIMO WiFi / LTE | Wi-Fi / LTE | ||
| Back Camera | 5MP iSight | 5MP iSight | ||
| Front Camera | New FaceTime HD Camera | 1.2MP | ||
| Additional Features | n/a | Bluetooth 4.0 | ||
IPad Mini vs. Other 8-Inch Tablets
And here’s how the new iPad Mini with Retina Display is stacking up against the competition.
Google Nexus 7 2013
The Nexus 7 2013 is a 7" tablet with a 1920 x 1200 display running Android 4.3.1. The processor is a quad-core 1.5GHz processor, with 2GB of RAM. Unlike the previous Nexus 7, the new 2013 edition has front and back cameras, 5 and 1.2 megapixels respectively. It also now supports LTE, and still has goodies such as wireless charging, Bluetooth 4.0 and NFC support.
Starts at $229 – Read a review
Amazon kindle Fire HDX
The Kindle Fire HDX is a tablet designed specifically for Amazon’s content delivery service. Thus, it has a 1920 x 1200 display and a fast 2.2GHz quad-core processor to make sure that your videos and music play smoothly. It comes in 16, 32 and 64GB variants, great to store all your media. And to make sure you can enjoy your movies on the go, the Kindle Fire HDX’s battery will last up to 11 hours on a single charge.
Starts at $229
Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0
Samsung’s Galaxy Note 8.0 has a 1280 x 800 screen and a 1.6GHz quad-core processor running Samsung’s take on Android 4.1.2. It only comes in a 16GB version, but has a MicroSD port for expandable storage. It supports Samsung’s S-Pen technology and has an infrared blaster, so you can use it as a remote control for your TV.Samsung claims up to 8 hours of battery life from the Galaxy Note 8.0.
Starts at $359
Lenovo Miix2
Lenovo’s Miix2 is an 8" tablet running Windows RT 8.1. It has a 1280 x 800 screen and a Bay Trail-T Quad Core processor. It’s only just been announced, so details are scarce, but we know it’s going to come in both 16 and 32GB variants and support Bluetooth 4.0.
Starts at $299 – Read a review
iPad Mini (Retina Display) Vs. Other 8" Tablets
Again, here is the table format to help you check out how the iPad mini with Retina display fares against the competition.
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| iPad mini with Retina display | Nexus 7 2013 | Kindle Fire HDX | Galaxy Note 8.0 | Lenovo Miix2 | LG G Pad 8.3 | |
| Manufacturer | Apple | ASUS | Amazon | Samsung | Lenovo | Lenovo |
| Price | $399 – $699 / $529 – $829 (LTE) | $229, $269, $349 | $229 – $409 | $359, $399 | $299, $249 | $349 |
| OS | iOS 7 | Android 4.3.1 | Fire OS | Android 4.1.2 | Windows 8.1 | Android 4.2.2 |
| Resolution | 2048 x 1536 | 1920 x 1200 | 1920 x 1200 | 1280 x 800 | 1280 x 800 | 1920 x 1200 |
| Dimensions (mm) | H200 x W134.7 x T7.5 | H200 x W114 x T8.65 | H128 x W186 x T9 | H210 x W135 x T7.8 | H215.4 x W131.6 x T8.9 | H216 x W126.5 x T8.3 |
| Weight | 331g, 341g (LTE) | 290g, 299g (LTE) | 303g, 311g (LTE) | 331g | 349g | 338g |
| Display Size (inch) | 7.9 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8.3 |
| Processor | 64-bit A7 chip with M7 Motion | Quad-Core 1.5GHz | Quad-Core 2.2GHz | Quad-Core 1.6GHz | Quad-Core Bay Trail-T Atom | Quad-Core 2.2GHz |
| RAM | TBA | 2GB | 2GB | 2GB | TBA | 2GB |
| Battery Life | 10 hours | 9 hours | 11 hours | 8 hours | TBA | TBA |
| Network | MIMO WiFi / LTE | WiFi / LTE | WiFi / LTE | WiFi / TLE | TBA | Wi-Fi |
| Storage (GB) | 16 / 32 / 64 / 128 | 16 / 32 | 16 / 32 / 64 | 16 | 16 / 32 | 16 |
| Expandable Storage | — | — | — | MicroSD | TBA | MicroSD |
| Back Camera | 5MP iSight | 5MP | — | 5MP | 5MP | 5MP |
| Front Camera | New FaceTime HD Camera | 1.2MP | 720p HD Camera | 1.3MP | 2MP | 1.3MP |
| Input Ports | Lightning Connector | Micro USB | Micro USB | Micro USB | Micro USB | Micro USB |
| Additional Features | — | Wireless charging, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC | Bluetooth | S Pen, IR Transmitter | Bluetooth 4.0 | Bluetooth |
Wrapping Up
For what it’s worth, Apple’s new iPad Air is certainly for the one who had held out on previous iPads. If you are going to get your first Apple product, the iPad Air is the one to get. The upgrades and new look and that price is the perfect combo, making this the ideal tablet to get.
Apple was a latecomer to the 7- to 8-inch tablet game, but has redeemed itself with it’s new iPad mini with Retina display. There are alternative tablets out there with HD resolution but what Apple has done to this iPad mini, shrinking down the iPad Air resolution display to the 7.9 inch display is simply remarkable.