Apple is widely speculated to release the second-gen version of its smaller tablet, iPad mini 2, sometime this year. With CEO Tim Cook hinting that no iDevices will launch before fall, it seems the tablet will debut later rather than sooner.
So what does Apple have in store for us with the iPad mini 2? We take a look at how the iPad mini and iPad mini 2 compare against each other.
Processor
The iPad mini has a dual-core A5 processor and the iPad mini 2 is expected to take things up a few notches and will tout either the A6X processor on the iPad 4 or the new A7 processor that is in the works.
Display
Like the iPad mini, the iPad mini 2 is conjectured to sport a 7.9-inch screen. However, the iPad mini has an LED-backlit Multi-Touch display with IPS technology, whereas the second-gen tablet will have a Retina display. However, one of the grouses consumers had was with the iPad mini's resolution. It seems Apple has taken consumer feedback into consideration and the iPad mini 2 is rumored to come with 2048 x 1536 pixels resolution, an improvement on the iPad mini's 1024 x 768 pixels.
Pixel density-wise, the iPad mini will pale in comparison, with its 163 ppi versus iPad mini 2's 324 ppi.
Form Factor
The iPad mini has 7.87 x 5.30 x 0.28 inch dimensions and the iPad mini 2 is expected to be around the same size. Apple could possibly reduce the thickness and weight of the iPad mini 2, but that would all boil down to the battery size it opts for.
Storage
The iPad mini is available in 16/32/64GB internal storage options and the iPad mini 2 is likely to follow suit. Rumors also suggest that Apple could introduce a 128GB version as well. However, iFans' dreams of having an expandable memory option seem unrealistic.
Camera
The iPad mini features a 5-megapixel rear-facing camera which the iPad mini 2 will improve on with its 8-megapixel one.
The iPad mini 2 will likely feature a 1.2-megapixel front-facing camera like the iPad mini.
Operating System
The iPad mini runs on iOS 6 (which has been updated) and the iPad mini 2 is expected to run on iOS 7.
Availability
The iPad mini is available for purchase and starts from $329 for the 16GB Wi-Fi model. Some reports suggest that Apple will launch the iPad mini 2 possibly in May, prior to the iPhone 6 and iPad 5. Other rumors hint at Apple sticking to a yearly product cycle, with an October launch for the second-gen version.
