iPad mini (2024) vs. Google Nexus 7: A Decade of Tablet Evolution
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the vast majority of users, the Apple iPad mini (2024) is the clear winner. Its Apple A17 Pro chipset offers a performance leap beyond the Nexus 7’s Tegra 3, coupled with significantly improved battery life and a modern feature set. The Nexus 7 remains viable for extremely basic tasks, but the iPad mini is the only choice for demanding applications.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Asus Google Nexus 7 | Apple iPad mini (2024) |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | - | 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 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2012, June. Released 2012, July | 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 | No | eSIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 340 g (11.99 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 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 5.1.1 (Lollipop) | iPadOS 18, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 8GB 1GB RAM, 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 | 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 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Talk time | Up to 10 h (multimedia) | - |
| Type | Non-removable Li-Ion 4325 mAh battery (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 150 EUR | About 600 EUR |
| SAR EU | 1.39 W/kg (body) | - |
| EU LABEL | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery | - | 67:00h endurance, 1000 cycles |
| Energy | - | Class E |
| Free fall | - | Class D (52 falls) |
| Repairability | - | Class C |
Asus Google Nexus 7
- Extremely affordable (used market)
- Compact and lightweight
- Functional for basic tasks
- Outdated processor and software
- Poor battery life
- Limited app compatibility
Apple iPad mini (2024)
- Exceptional performance with A17 Pro
- Long battery life (67 hours)
- Premium build quality and features
- Significantly more expensive
- Smaller storage options at base price
- Apple ecosystem lock-in
Display Comparison
The Nexus 7’s display, while respectable for its time, boasts a contrast ratio of 908:1. However, this pales in comparison to the iPad mini (2024), which benefits from Apple’s advancements in display technology – though specific contrast ratio data isn’t provided, it’s expected to be significantly higher. The iPad mini likely incorporates a laminated display with anti-reflective coating, features absent on the Nexus 7, improving outdoor visibility. The Nexus 7’s resolution is adequate for its 7-inch screen, but the iPad mini’s higher pixel density delivers sharper text and images. The absence of LTPO technology in the Nexus 7 means it lacks the variable refresh rate capabilities found in modern iPads, impacting smoothness and power efficiency.
Camera Comparison
Given the age difference, a direct camera comparison is largely academic. The Nexus 7’s camera specifications are not provided, but it’s safe to assume they are significantly inferior to the iPad mini (2024). While the iPad mini’s camera specs aren’t detailed in the provided data, Apple consistently prioritizes image quality, and the A17 Pro’s image signal processor (ISP) would deliver superior image processing capabilities. The Nexus 7 likely lacks features like optical image stabilization (OIS) and advanced computational photography algorithms found in the iPad mini.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Nexus 7’s Nvidia Tegra 3, with its quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A9 CPU, is a relic of the past. The iPad mini (2024) is powered by the Apple A17 Pro, a hexa-core processor built on a 3nm process. This represents a monumental shift in performance and efficiency. The A17 Pro’s two high-performance cores clocked at 3.78 GHz, alongside four efficiency cores, deliver significantly faster processing speeds for demanding tasks. The 3nm fabrication process allows for greater transistor density and reduced power consumption, resulting in sustained performance without thermal throttling – a common issue with the Tegra 3 under load. The iPad mini’s LPDDR5X RAM further enhances performance, while the Nexus 7 likely utilizes older, slower LPDDR2 RAM.
Battery Life
The iPad mini (2024) boasts an impressive 67-hour endurance and a 1000-cycle battery lifespan. This is a substantial improvement over the Nexus 7, which, due to its age and older battery technology, would exhibit significantly reduced capacity and lifespan. The A17 Pro’s power efficiency, combined with optimized software, contributes to the iPad mini’s extended battery life. While the Nexus 7’s charging speed was adequate for its time, the iPad mini likely supports faster charging technologies, reducing the time required to reach a full charge.
Buying Guide
Buy the Asus Google Nexus 7 if you need a very inexpensive tablet for extremely light tasks like basic ebook reading or as a dedicated remote control interface. Its primary value is as a legacy device for specific, limited use cases. Buy the Apple iPad mini (2024) if you prioritize performance, portability, long-term software support, and a premium user experience. It’s ideal for gaming, content creation, and anyone needing a powerful tablet in a compact form factor.