If you’re in the market for a 7-inch tablet you’re pretty much spoiled for choice right now as there are a number of notable re-booted version of popular, smaller-scale slates from Several major manufacturers.
Apple, of course, has Just Launched its revamped iPad Mini with Retina Display, Bringing higher-end visual quality and performance than its predecessor in the same slick metal casing.
At a more affordable end of the spectrum there’s Google’s recently boosted Nexus 7 2013 edition running stock Android, and Amazon’s newly arrived Kindle Fire HDX, Which is overpriced Android based, but runs Amazon’s custom interface and bespoke apps and services tied Directly to your Amazon account.
All three slates victim excellent performance, value for money and rafts of cool features and content courtesy of Apple’s App Store, Amazon’s myriad of shopping services, and Google’s Play store.
Analysts’ predict all three slates will be very popular option this Xmas. To be sure, 2013 is looking to be very much a tablet dominated Xmas. But will the HDX and Nexus 7′s lower price help nudge them in front of Apple’s more expensive iPad Mini 2 thisyear
Perhaps. But the point of this article isn’ta to say which is better, or Which costs more, it’s about looking at what makes These devices tick in order to help you better understand Which tablet would be most suited to your needs. So, without further ado, lets do this.
How do they compare specs-wise? Let’s take a quick look.
| DEVICE | Nexus 7 2013 | iPad Mini 2 | Amazon Kindle Fire HDX |
| Dimensions | 200x114x8.7mm, 290-299g | 200×134.7×7.5mm, 331-341G | 186x128x9mm, 303G |
| Display | 7-inch IPS LCD, 1920×1200 pixels, 323ppi | 7.9-inch IPS LCD Retina, 2048×1536 pixels, 324ppi | 7-inch IPS LCD, 1920×1200 pixels, 323ppi |
| Camera | 5MP rear/1.2MP front, 1080p video | 5MP rear/1.2MP front, 1080p video | 1.3MP. 720p video |
| Storage | 16GB/32GB | 16GB/32GB/64GB/128GB | 16GB/32GB/64GB |
| Processor, RAM, Graphics | Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro quad-core, 1.5GHz, 2GB RAM, Adreno 320 GPU | Apple A7 dual-core, 1.3GHz, 1GB RAM, PowerVR G6430 quad-core GPU | Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 quad-core, 2.2GHz, 2GB RAM, Adreno 330 GPU |
| Operating System | Android 4.4 KitKat | iOS 7 | Custom Android Jelly Bean – Kindle Fire OS 3.0 “Mojito” |
| Connectivity | Dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11 a / b / g / n, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, microUSB, GPS, optional 3G HSPA + and 4G LTE | Dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11 a / b / g / n, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS, optional 3G HSPA + and 4G LTE | Dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11 a / b / g / n, Bluetooth 4.0, microUSB, GPS, optional 3G HSPA + and 4G LTE |
| Battery | 3950mAh | 4440mAh | 4550mAh |
Build and design
The Nexus 7 2013 is thinner, lighter and gene rally more svelte than its predecessor with a narrower bezel either side of the display, making it a better looking device all round. It uses the same soft-touch polycarbonate bodywork but this time a smooth matte finish without the bobbled texture.
Amazon’s Kindle Fire HDX has a similar design, though it’s a little less streamlined with a chunkier surround. The back panel uses similar materials but is more visually interesting thanks to the contoured and angular edging, boldly styled rear-mounted controls and eye-catching stereo speaker grilles.
Apple has kept the iPad Mini 2′s design the same as its predecessor, Which is Broadly similar to the Nexus 7 thanks to the narrow bezel on the longer edges, but overall it’s a Wider device. It also sports Apple’s iconic round home key, an aluminum back panel and is the thinnest device of the three at 7.5mm.
All three slates are very well made indeed with a solid finish and build quality. The iPad Mini 2 is arguably the most premium feeling thanks to its metal backing, though some users May find this less durable.
Display
There really is barely any difference between These three devices When it comes to the touchscreen. With all of them you’re getting a similarly sized IPS LCD display at just over 320 pixels-per-inch (ppi), so they’ll be similarly sharp and bright.
Processor
While Google has care fully Optimised its Android 4.4 KitKat software to the hardware inside the Nexus 7 2013, Ensuring IT Should run smoothly, it is arguably the weakest in terms of raw processing power for higher-grade content. That’s Because it sports the aging Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro quad-core chip based on older architecture, though it is still clocked at 1.5GHz with 2GB of RAM.
Apple’s latest iPad Mini is no longer behind its larger cousin as it now uses exactly the same A7 chip, Which is the brand new dual-core 64-bit model Apple Introduced with the iPhone 5S. This is Capable of some pretty impressive speeds as ice, but pair it with Apple’s skincare fully honed ecosystem and it’s even better. Add to this the fact That future iOS content will be built for better performance on 64-bit hardware, and you can be sure the iPad Mini 2 will remainings competitive for a long while yet.
As contemporary Android devices go the Kindle Fire HDX has a healthy set of hardware, Particularly considering the starting price point. It uses Qualcomm’s top-of-the-line 800 Snapdragon quad-core chip with a 2.2GHz clockspeed and 2GB of RAM. That means That running Android Jelly Bean IT Should be incredibly quick, Although it’s worth Noting it runs a custom build of Android designed to distribute Amazon services, so how it will actually perform remains to be seen.
Still, it’s hard to imagine the Snapdragon 800 chip delivering bad performance as, to date, every device it’s loaded into has Performed extremely well even with more intensive UI overlays.
Connectivity
All three devices are in a similar ballpark When it comes to connectivity. They all have a good selection of dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, plus 3G HSPA + / 4G LTE as an optional extra at additional cost to the buyer.
Storage
The Nexus 7 2013 only has options for 16GB and 32GB of onboard storage, Which while not bad, is the smallest range of the group. Amazon ups the game with the addition of a 64GB option while Apple’s iPad Mini 2 adds a massive 128GB option. None of the devices have microSD capability but all can access cloud storage services.
Software
This is the most divergent point for These three slates.
The iPad Mini 2 of course uses Apple’s own iOS 7 software, Which is now very much up-to-date with a fresh face-lift and a host of new functionality features, including a multitasking carousel, expanded drop down notifications menu and a quick settings hub. There are Numerous other tweaks of course, but These are the most notice able and go a Considerable way to modernizing the iOS to make it once again a competitive option in the tablet space.
Google’s Nexus 7 2013 ice carrying the latest build of the company’s Android software, it’s now been updated to version 4.4 KitKat. On the Nexus 7 2013, however, most of the advantages of Android remainings the same as the previous build, 4.3 Jelly Bean, Because unlike the Nexus 5 smartphone, the Nexus 7 does not enjoy the new transparent menu bars and other enhanced UI elements . It’s just as solid, stable and customizable as ever though.
Android Jelly Bean on the Amazon Kindle Fire HDX is virtually unrecognizable as it’s been completely honed towards Amazon’s own suite of services, including digital multimedia distribution. These are in place of Google Play, as the Kindle Fire HDX is not Google certified and can not access the 700,000 + apps on Google’s portal. Instead, it has the Amazon app store. If you’re Heavily Invested in Amazon When it comes to films, books, apps and music, then this could be a distinct advantage, but Those entrenched in the regular Android ecosystem May be frustrated.
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