iPad Mini or next Nexus?

[dwd3885]

My background is that of a hardcore Android lover. I love Android on the phone and will probably not switch back to iPhone anytime soon.

I have a daughter and have purchased some apps for my Nexus 7 for her and games for me too. I sold my Nexus 7 in anticipation for the next Nexus 7. When that wasn't announced at Google I/O, I decided to go out on a whim and buy the iPad Mini for $299 at Wal-Mart.

I love that apps like ABC, NBC, Nickelodeon all have quality streaming video. None are available on the Nexus 7. The con is that I'd have to buy apps for two different platforms if I want them on both the tablet and the phone.

I guess I'm just looking for thoughts on if I should keep the iPad Mini or wait it out and get the next Nexus 7 tablet. Anyone have both an iPad and an Android phone?

 

[Silvereel]

The apps are really the great advantage to iOS. Even if you find something similar for Android, nine times out of ten, the iOS version is going to be better, just because they actually follow Apple's guidelines. I don't see this changing any time soon. This even applies to Google's apps!

I would say stick with the iPad, it's going to get even better with iOS 7. Of course, if you're dead set on Android, no amount of words is going to convince you otherwise. It's just that iOS offers a far, far superior tablet experience, and the ecosystem isn't even comparable.

 

[AppleRobert]

I have an android phone and a Mini.

I tend not to put the same apps on both so that leaves me wanting to keep the Mini, it is like an alter personality device though my android smartphone is really now my most used device. It is the ONE, need I say more?

 

[tazz3]

I has an Android tablet a transformer 300 i sold it Android os jelly bean was a mess. and goole play store cant compare to the apple store.my ipad4 is like a bmw compared to 300 which is an old ford pinto from 1970
get the mini its well worth it

 

[dwd3885]

I have an android phone and a Mini.

I tend not to put the same apps on both so that leaves me wanting to keep the Mini, it is like an alter personality device though my android smartphone is really now my most used device. It is the ONE, need I say more?

Yea I have the One too and absolutely love it!

I really like the Mini. I think the tablet apps are great. If android tablets had TV watching apps like CBS, ABC, NBC, Nick, or apps as great as the eBay app on iPad, I'd be all over it.

So I'm not set on anything, I'd rather have an android tablet, but I don't want to buy an android tablet just because it's android. I want something more useful.

 

[Internaut]

I have both the Nexus 7 and the Mini. My view is simple:

- The better overall device is the Mini, especially if you need to download and store content (comes with a 64GB version, if you must)
- The Nexus's most significant edge (for me) is watching wide screen, HD movies, though I'd say the Mini has a slight edge on colour
- A minor advantage of the Nexus is reading books (I prefer the aspect ratio and the text is clearer, though the Mini is hardly unusable)
- Edit: Oh, and I almost forgot to add that some of the phone centric applications I have on my Nexus have proper, tablet optimised versions for the iPad.

Good design often obviates the Nexus 7's technical advantages. For example, I bought a copy a Wired from the Google Magazine store and concluded it would be far more usable on the Nexus 10. On the Mini, magazines (I subscribe to Olympus Magazine) work better, with less need to zoom.

 

[hexonxonx]

I have a Nexus 7 and take it with me everywhere. It has service through T-Mobile.

I've also been thinking of buying a Mini just to have one as well. The only thing stopping me is that if I get the GSM version, my T-mobile sim won't work in it so I keep thinking of getting a used iPad Retina.

 

[sbddude]

I've also been thinking of buying a Mini just to have one as well. The only thing stopping me is that if I get the GSM version, my T-mobile sim won't work in it so I keep thinking of getting a used iPad Retina.

Are you sure? Aren't all ipads unlocked?

 

[Lunfai]

iPad mini no doubt, the build quality is unmatched, and the App Store bring the highlight of a tablet would mean that it reigns proudly on top of Android.

 

[blackhand1001]

I'd get the next nexus. The Snapdragon 600/800 (expected to be used in the refresh) blows away the a5 plus the much better screen than the ipad in the existing nexus is supposed to be upgraded even more. I just also find iOS too limiting. My friend had both for several months and recently sold the mini.

 

[NewAnger]

Are you sure? Aren't all ipads unlocked?

the mini uses a nano sim so he probably has a micro Sim.

 

[tech4all]

Lots of ignorance here about the N7...

Jelly Bean is a great OS. And it'll only get better. Your getting pure Android, not some other version. For me there's no lag at all. Not saying iOS is bad, but it needs updating and some may not like the limitations of the walled garden or lack of customization. To each his own.

Build quality shouldn't be the reason why you buy a mini. That's just silly. Its nice to have, but if the software is lacking what's the point.IMO

The apps on Android are great and the quantity is dramatically catching up the app store. The app store advantage is becoming moot now.

The N7 out specs the mini in nearly every way. That's a fact.

In the end its up to you. I gave me the facts about the N7 and Android. Yes you will hear a lot negative things about the Lil robot here because Android is the enemy around these here parts. Its kinda funny actually of how much misinformation is said about Android.

 

[hexonxonx]

Are you sure? Aren't all ipads unlocked?

Yes they are unlocked. I have a Micro sim for my Nexus 7 and I would want to be able to use it in the iPad I get so it would have to be a Retina iPad. I don't want to have two data plans, one for the iPad and one for the Nexus 7.

 

[Fanaticalism]

I use android for cellular and use my mini for tablet use. I find the droid tablets a bit less intuitive and not as seamless considering application based media streaming is what I use it for alongside pdf expert utilization for work.

 

[sk1wbw]

I bought an iPad on launch day, the first generation one. I gave it to my stepson for Christmas last year.

I bought a Nexus 7 three months ago. It's already been replaced.

I'd say get the iPad.

 

[AppleRobert]

Yea I have the One too and absolutely love it!

I really like the Mini. I think the tablet apps are great. If android tablets had TV watching apps like CBS, ABC, NBC, Nick, or apps as great as the eBay app on iPad, I'd be all over it.

So I'm not set on anything, I'd rather have an android tablet, but I don't want to buy an android tablet just because it's android. I want something more useful.

I like having the Mini because there is a difference between it and our android smartphone. I also have a Nexus 7. Since I got the One, I do not use the Nexus 7 all that much now. The One crushes it especially for music playback, specs and screen quality. I will not sell my Nexus 7 and get the next Nexus over the Mini, I like its difference and it complements the One nicely.

 

[sbddude]

Lots of ignorance here about the N7...

Jelly Bean is a great OS. And it'll only get better. Your getting pure Android, not some other version. For me there's no lag at all. Not saying iOS is bad, but it needs updating and some may not like the limitations of the walled garden or lack of customization. To each his own.

Build quality shouldn't be the reason why you buy a mini. That's just silly. Its nice to have, but if the software is lacking what's the point.IMO

The apps on Android are great and the quantity is dramatically catching up the app store. The app store advantage is becoming moot now.

The N7 out specs the mini in nearly every way. That's a fact.

In the end its up to you. I gave me the facts about the N7 and Android. Yes you will hear a lot negative things about the Lil robot here because Android is the enemy around these here parts. Its kinda funny actually of how much misinformation is said about Android.

I disagree. I tried the nexus 7. I love android on my phone, so I wanted to like it. it does have faster processor, more memory, etc. but my experience was full of lag. I even exchanged it for another unit. No improvement. Then i switched to the ipad mini. Far better experience for the tasks that matter to me. And not all specs are better but some are. For example, a better camera, 5ghz wifi, better speakers, battery life, LTE and 64 gb available.

 

[durant35]

I personally love having both Android and iOS. I prefer Android for my phone but I cannot stress how much I love my iPad mini, typing this on it now in fact. I've had the Tab and the N7 but returned both and went back to iPad. I just find the mini to be perfect size and weight for me personally.

 

[cnev3]

I got a Nexus 7, because I got a good price on it, but ended up trading it for the iPad mini. It made more sense to use the iPad because I have an iMac and iPhone, and the integration and content sharing across my desktop and phone were big reasons to go with the iPad.

Also I already had a lot of universal apps paid for with iTunes.

The Nexus 7 has more bang for your buck, but imo, the iPad mini is a better device overall.

 

[dwd3885]

thanks for the feedback so far. I am really enjoying the Mini. My only issue is apps. Not apps that the Mini doesn't have, because it has them all. But I just bought Fieldrunners 2 on Android for my phone and my tablet! I guess having the Mini and an Android phone means paying twice for stuff if you really want it on both sizes..

 

[durant35]

thanks for the feedback so far. I am really enjoying the Mini. My only issue is apps. Not apps that the Mini doesn't have, because it has them all. But I just bought Fieldrunners 2 on Android for my phone and my tablet! I guess having the Mini and an Android phone means paying twice for stuff if you really want it on both sizes..

Thats one problem with owning both Android and iOS. Unless its cross platform like Words with Friends for example. I bought the play pack on my iPad and it works on my S4 too.

 

[dwd3885]

Thats one problem with owning both Android and iOS. Unless its cross platform like Words with Friends for example. I bought the play pack on my iPad and it works on my S4 too.

yea and free apps are fine. I guess that's the tradeoff. But I really like the Mini in every way.

 

[tshrimp]

OP, I did a lot of research between the two. Spec wise the Nexus looks great when stacked up against the iPad Mini. Doing synthetic cpu testing the Nexus also wiped the floor with iPad Mini, but in the graphics testing it looks to go to the iPad Mini.

When we look at the real world testing the iPad Mini is usually faster (except in Tegra specific apps). You can go to youtube and see many Nexus 7 vs. iPad mini tests. When opening the same app on the iPad that is on the Nexus 7 it almost always opened faster. Also the web browsing tested faster as well.

For me....I went to look at the Nexus 7 after all this, and must say the display is gorgeous, but for some reason in the smaller tablet the 4:3 form factor seems better IMO.

So for summary:

Performance: iPad Mini
Display: Nexus 7
Apps: More free on Nexus 7, but more on iPad Mini.
Form factor: iPad Mini (but personal preference)
Expandability: Neither, and this ticks me off, and is one reason I do not have an iPhone.
Peripherals: iPad Mini
Cost/Value: Nexus 7 (Without a doubt...great for the money)
OS: Nexus 7 - Android gives you a less restrictive OS with very little need to jailbreak/root to get it to do what you want. Also Widgets are very useful, notification bar better implemented, and use of shortcuts, so you can have your most used apps only on your desktop. However, IOS is slightly smoother.

It will come down to what you are looking for in a tablet. After all my research and going to the store looking at them side by side....I walked out with an iPad Mini. On this size tablet I just like the 4:3 better, but in the 10" tablet area I like the 16:9. Good luck on your choice, and I hope this helps.

 

[dwd3885]

OP, I did a lot of research between the two. Spec wise the Nexus looks great when stacked up against the iPad Mini. Doing synthetic cpu testing the Nexus also wiped the floor with iPad Mini, but in the graphics testing it looks to go to the iPad Mini.

When we look at the real world testing the iPad Mini is usually faster (except in Tegra specific apps). You can go to youtube and see many Nexus 7 vs. iPad mini tests. When opening the same app on the iPad that is on the Nexus 7 it almost always opened faster. Also the web browsing tested faster as well.

For me....I went to look at the Nexus 7 after all this, and must say the display is gorgeous, but for some reason in the smaller tablet the 4:3 form factor seems better IMO.

So for summary:

Performance: iPad Mini
Display: Nexus 7
Apps: More free on Nexus 7, but more on iPad Mini.
Form factor: iPad Mini (but personal preference)
Expandability: Neither, and this ticks me off, and is one reason I do not have an iPhone.
Peripherals: iPad Mini
Cost/Value: Nexus 7 (Without a doubt...great for the money)
OS: Nexus 7 - Android gives you a less restrictive OS with very little need to jailbreak/root to get it to do what you want. Also Widgets are very useful, notification bar better implemented, and use of shortcuts, so you can have your most used apps only on your desktop. However, IOS is slightly smoother.

It will come down to what you are looking for in a tablet. After all my research and going to the store looking at them side by side....I walked out with an iPad Mini. On this size tablet I just like the 4:3 better, but in the 10" tablet area I like the 16:9. Good luck on your choice, and I hope this helps.

Thanks! I think I'm going to stick with the Mini. It is easier for me to just put it up in the case and watch the content. I think the content is the big thing. Amazon Prime videos doesn't come on the Nexus 7. I like Android more than iOS for sure, but it seems the Mini may be nearly perfect.

 

[strausd]

http://androidcommunity.com/new-nexus-7-reportedly-shipping-now-launching-next-month-20130524/