Ipad Mini 2 A7 Chip

iPad mini ii vs iPad mini

A versus of miniature proportions

Everyone who follows Apple'southward technology launches knows that the new iPad mini, aka the iPad mini 2, was going to exist an iterative improvement.

Apple tree doesn't demand to reinvent its 7.9-inch tablet. Not for version 2 anyway. It's not sufficiently threatened past the Nexus 7 or the Kindle Fire HD.

All the new iPad mini needed was a speed heave and a Retina display to match its bigger brother. And that'southward simply what we've got. Here's how the two compare.

Apple iPad mini two vs Apple iPad mini: Design

Anyone expecting a redesign of the iPad mini will be disappointed. But why set something that isn't broken? There isn't a fingerprint sensor either. Apple tree is probably keeping the technology dorsum for the inevitable iPad mini iii and iPad Air 2.

As for the ii iPad minis, the size difference between the ii is about imperceptible. Comparing the Wi-Fi plus Cellular versions, the iPad mini 2 measures 200.0 x 134.7 x seven.5mm, while the original iPad mini is 200.0 10 134.vii 10 7.2mm. That's just a 0.3mm difference.

When it comes to weight, things are little more obvious. With its Retina display and A7 processor, the new iPad mini is slightly tubbier than its predecessor. It weighs in at 341g - 29g heavier than the original model, which tipped the scales at 312g.

Apple tree iPad mini ii vs Apple iPad mini: Display

Seeing a Retina display on the new iPad mini inappreciably comes as a surprise. The improved 7.9-inch display is exactly what we expected and it bumps upwards the resolution of the mini iPad from 768 x 1024 pixels to 1536 x 2048 pixels. To put that in context, the new screen has 3,145,728 pixels in total, 2,359296 more than the previous iPad mini. The divergence is clear - the new mini has a Pixels Per Inch rating of 326, while the old one can only muster 163.

Apple tree iPad mini 2 vs Apple iPad mini: Camera

There take been a few tweaks to the iPad mini two's cameras, but again, they are relatively pocket-size. The rear cameras still share aforementioned five-element, 5MP lens with a f/2.4 discontinuity. They both have a feature set that includes autofocus, face detection, Backside illumination, a Hybrid IR filter, tap to focus, tap to control exposure, geotagging, HDR and 1080p video recording.

At outset glance, the front-facing 1.ii Megapixel FaceTime camera doesn't look whatsoever different either. Only dig into the specs and you'll notice that it now includes a Backside Illumination Sensor (BIS) that will heave the camera'southward functioning in poor lighting conditions. No more dirty-looking selfies.

Apple iPad mini 2 vs Apple iPad mini: Connectivity

At offset glance, everything looks the aforementioned here, too. Similar the original model, the new iPad mini is available in Wi-Fi merely and Wi-Fi plus cellular versions, which comprise 3G/HSDPA, CDMA and LTE (where available). Both as well characteristic 802.11a/b/grand/n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth four.0.

But the difference lies in the Wi-Fi chip inside the newer iPad mini. It supports dual channel (2.4GHz and 5GHz) Wi-Fi with MIMO for superior wireless connectivity. It doesn't audio similar much, but the Multiple Input Multiple Output engineering here has long been in utilise on broadband routers and can effectively double data download speeds.

Apple tree iPad mini 2 vs Apple iPad mini: Processor

The improved processor inside the iPad mini ii is some other reason why the new mini model is a significant comeback over the original. Where the commencement-gen iPad mini debuted with the dual-cadre A5 processor that powered the iPad 2, the new model uses the aforementioned chip that powers the flagship iPhone 5S - a 64-bit dual-core A7 CPU with an M7 movement co-processor.

Apple iPad mini ii vs Apple iPad mini: Storage

Storage-wise the iPad mini two is available with 16, 32, 64 or 128GB storage options, matching the capacities of the ix.7-inch iPad. The older iPad mini didn't take a 128GB choice and Apple now only offers a 16GB model.

Apple tree iPad mini 2 vs Apple iPad mini: Battery Life

With each new iPad launch, and no thing what engineering is crammed in, Apple is conscientious to retain 10 hours of battery life. The new iPad mini is no exception and it'south put on a petty extra weight to compensate for the new Retina brandish and A7 processor.

Apple tree iPad mini two vs Apple iPad mini: Early verdict

As iterative improvements become, the new iPad mini offers some compelling reasons to upgrade. The A7 processor gives it a dramatic speed heave and while the M7 co-processor has some potential, the switch from a 32-chip architecture to 64-bit is arguably more of import - expect other mobile manufacturers to follow suit. Ultimately, all Apple needed to practice to plough a good iPad mini into a corking iPad mini was to add together a Retina display and not make information technology exorbitantly pricey. At $479, it's a chore well done.