Both Apple and Google are expected to unveil the second-generation versions of their smaller tablets — iPad mini 2 and Nexus 7.7 — very soon.
The impending tablets are looking to follow in the footsteps of their best-selling predecessors and both Google and Apple are looking to up the ante with the second-gen versions.
With the two tech giants gearing up to lock horns once again, we take a look at how the iPad mini 2 and Nexus 7.7 measure up against each other:
Processor
The A5 processor fuels the iPad mini and the iPad mini 2 is expected to house the faster A6X or the new A7 processor (which is in the works). The Nexus 7.7 is rumored to pack in the Snapdragon 600 processor and not the Tegra 4i. (The Nexus 7 features the 1.3GHz quad-core Tegra 3 processor.)
Display
The iPad mini 2 is rumored to feature a 7.9-inch Retina display with 2048 x 1536 pixels resolution, which improves on the 1024 x 768 pixels of the iPad mini. The pixel density is expected to get a bump from 163 ppi to 324 ppi.
Rumor has it that the Nexus 7.7 will have a 7.7-inch IPS display with 1920 x 1200 pixels resolution. The Nexus 7.7 also improves on its predecessor, which has a 7-inch screen with 1280 x 800 pixels resolution. The Nexus 7.7 will have a pixel density of 294 ppi versus the first-gen tablet's 216 ppi.
Storage
Like the iPad mini, the iPad mini 2 will likely come in 16/32/64GB on-board storage versions, with no option to expand. Rumors also suggest that Apple may take the iPad 4 route and introduce a 128GB version as well.
On the other hand, the Nexus 7 is available in only 16/32GB internal storage models. Google discontinued the 8GB version, which was available initially. It is likely that the Nexus 7.7 will also be available in 8/16/32GB options and the tablet could also include the option to expand the memory using a microSD card, which was missing in the first-gen version.
Camera
The iPad mini sports a 5-megapixel rear-facing iSight camera and a 1.2-megapixel front-facing camera. The iPad mini 2 is expected to tout an 8-megapixel primary camera.
The Nexus 7 did not offer a rear-facing camera and only sports an 1.2-megapixel front-facing camera; however, the Nexus 7.7 is rumored to feature both primary and secondary cameras.
Operating System
The iPad mini 2 is expected to run on Apple's upcoming iOS 7 and the Nexus 7.7 will likely feature the impending Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie out of the box.
Availability and Colors
Latest rumors suggest that Apple will launch the iPad mini 2 before the iPhone 6 and iPad 5 (slated for June/July). This means that the second-gen iPad mini could make an appearance as early as April or May 2013. Like its predecessor, the tablet will likely stick to the traditional black and white color options.
Google is widely expected to take the wraps off its second-gen Nexus 7 tablet at its Google I/O event in May. Alternately, recent reports point to a July release for the Nexus 7.7. The Nexus 7 was available in black and chances are Google will stick to the hue for the Nexus 7.7 as well.
Price
Reports suggest that the Nexus 7.7 would be a budget tablet and cheaper than the Nexus 7. The iPad mini 2, on the other hand, is expected to be priced in the same range as the iPad mini. However, some reports hint that the iPad mini 2 could be a little more steep than the iPad mini because of upgraded components and the resulting expenses.
On paper, both the Google Nexus 7.7 and iPad mini 2 pack impressive features which a user needs in a smaller tablet. However, time will tell which tablet is the next big thing and will rule the roost in the smaller tablet space.
