iPad mini (2024) vs. Google Nexus 7: A Tale of Two Tablet Eras
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Apple iPad mini (2024) is the clear winner for virtually all users. Its A17 Pro chip offers exponentially faster performance, coupled with exceptional battery life and a modern feature set. While the Nexus 7 was groundbreaking for its time, it’s simply outclassed in every meaningful metric.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Asus Google Nexus 7 Cellular | Apple iPad mini (2024) |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71 - A2995 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - A2995, A2996 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2012, October. Released 2012, November | 2024, October 15 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2024, October 23 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 198.5 x 120 x 10.5 mm (7.81 x 4.72 x 0.41 in) | 195.4 x 134.8 x 6.3 mm (7.69 x 5.31 x 0.25 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | eSIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 347 g (12.24 oz) | 293 g (Wi-Fi) / 297 g (Wi-Fi + Cellular) (10.34 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating, Mohs level 4 |
| Resolution | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~216 ppi density) | 1488 x 2266 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~327 ppi density) |
| Size | 7.0 inches, 142.1 cm2 (~59.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.3 inches, 203.9 cm2 (~77.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LED-backlit IPS LCD | Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A9 | Hexa-core (2x3.78 GHz performance cores and 4 efficiency cores) |
| Chipset | Nvidia Tegra 3 | Apple A17 Pro (3 nm) |
| GPU | ULP GeForce | Apple GPU (5-core graphics) |
| OS | Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 5.1.1 (Lollipop) | iPadOS 18, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 16GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 1GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | Quad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 1.2 MP | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF |
| Video | 720p | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | - | 12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide) |
| Video | - | 1080p@25/30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 3.0 | 5.3, A2DP |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 3.1 Gen2, DisplayPort |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, hotspot |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 300 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 9 h (multimedia) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 4325 mAh, non-removable (16 Wh) | Li-Ion 5078 mAh (19.3 Wh) |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black | Space Gray, Blue, Purple, Starlight |
| Models | - | A2993, A2995, A2996, iPad16,1, iPad16,2 |
| Price | About 230 EUR | About 600 EUR |
| EU LABEL | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery | - | 67:00h endurance, 1000 cycles |
| Energy | - | Class E |
| Free fall | - | Class D (52 falls) |
| Repairability | - | Class C |
Asus Google Nexus 7 Cellular
- Extremely affordable (if found used)
- Compact and lightweight
- Pioneering tablet design
- Outdated processor and software
- Poor performance with modern apps
- Limited battery life
- Lack of software updates
Apple iPad mini (2024)
- Exceptional performance with A17 Pro
- Long battery life (67 hours)
- Modern features and software support
- High-quality display
- Compact and portable design
- Higher price point
- Storage expansion not available
Display Comparison
The Nexus 7’s display, while respectable for 2012, boasts a contrast ratio of 908:1. However, it lacks the advancements found in the iPad mini (2024). While the iPad mini’s exact contrast ratio isn’t specified, Apple’s displays are known for their superior color accuracy and brightness. The iPad mini likely features a laminated display with anti-reflective coating, features absent on the Nexus 7, improving outdoor visibility. The Nexus 7’s 7-inch screen size is similar, but the iPad mini benefits from a more modern panel technology and potentially a higher resolution, resulting in a sharper image.
Camera Comparison
The Nexus 7’s camera specifications are not provided, but it was never a strength of the device. The iPad mini (2024) is not marketed as a photography powerhouse, but its camera system will undoubtedly surpass the Nexus 7’s capabilities. Apple’s image signal processing (ISP) and computational photography algorithms provide superior image quality, even without detailed sensor information. The focus here isn’t professional photography, but rather convenient snapshots and video calls, where the iPad mini will excel.
Performance
The performance gap is immense. The Nexus 7’s Nvidia Tegra 3, with its quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A9 CPU, is dwarfed by the Apple A17 Pro. The A17 Pro’s hexa-core configuration (2x3.78 GHz performance cores and 4 efficiency cores) built on a 3nm process delivers a generational leap in processing power and efficiency. The A17 Pro’s Neural Engine also provides significant advantages in machine learning tasks. The Nexus 7 would struggle with modern multitasking and demanding applications, while the iPad mini handles intensive tasks like video editing and gaming with ease. The A17 Pro’s GPU is in a completely different league, offering console-quality graphics.
Battery Life
The iPad mini (2024) boasts an impressive 67-hour endurance and a 1000-cycle battery lifespan. This indicates a substantial battery capacity and optimized power management. The Nexus 7’s battery life, while adequate for its time, pales in comparison. The A17 Pro’s 3nm process contributes to significantly improved power efficiency, allowing the iPad mini to last much longer on a single charge. The iPad mini also likely supports faster charging technologies, reducing downtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the Asus Google Nexus 7 Cellular if you need an extremely affordable, small tablet for basic tasks like reading ebooks or light web browsing, and are willing to accept significant performance limitations and a lack of software updates. Buy the Apple iPad mini (2024) if you prioritize performance, battery life, a vibrant display, and a long-term software support commitment, and are willing to pay a premium for a flagship experience.