Apple iPad mini 2 Review

Introduction

After weeks of waiting and speculations about the upcoming new tablets by Apple iPad Air and iPad mini 2, they finally made their official debut in the tech world on 22nd of October. The latest rumors about the small-sized tablet suggested that the announcement of the Apple iPad mini 2 will be delayed because of slow manufacturing process. Fortunately the gossip did not turn out to be true and the new generation small slate by Apple was introduced right in time, during the special event at San Francisco along with its biggest sibling Apple iPad Air. Both device share a lot of their specs and look, therefore it was only natural to see them together. The Apple iPad mini 2 fascinates with its Retina display with an exceptional resolution, unique design with premium feel and blazing fast new processor that we can also see under the hood of the large-sized iPad Air.

Display and Design

iPad mini 2 does not surprise much with its sleek design and attractive look that reminds a lot to its predecessor. The audience seems to be accepting well the appearance of the iPad mini line which is the main reason why the full size table iPad Air now sports a similar look. In terms of dimensions, the new generation small tablet comes in slightly thicker body and is a bit heavier than its predecessor. The difference is not really noticeable, but if you are curious about the exact measurements, it is 7.5 mm tick (the original iPad mini is 7.2 mm tick). The Wi-Fi variant of the slate weighs 331 grams (23 heavier than its older sibling). The Wi-Fi and Cellular model is with 29 grams heavier than the iPad mini. The thicker body of the tablet is designed to accommodate the bigger battery. The reason why the iPad mini 2 needs more powerful battery is because of its absolutely amazing Retina display.

Just as rumors were saying again and again, the new generation iPad mini sports a 7.9-inches Retina display with a resolution of 2048×1536 pixels. The capabilities of the screen outrun the features of the winner until now – Google Nexus 7. According to Apple, the iPad mini 2 is the “world’s highest resolution tablet” with the exceptional 326ppi. Just for a comparison, the pixel density of the iPad Air is the modest 264ppi. The display of the new iPad mini is protected with a fingerprint resistant coating.

Hardware

In terms of hardware, the iPad mini 2 is significantly enriched compared to the original slate. The first device of the line works with the same processor as the iPad 2. With the new generation iPad mini Apple has decided to focus on the brilliant performance of the device. The small-sized tablet is powered by A7 chipset with 64-bit architecture. This is the same processor that powers the newly released Apple iPhone 5S and Apple iPad Air. The coprocessor of the device is M7 motion. The graphics are also rapidly improved – they are 8x faster than the graphics of its predecessor. The built-in memory of the slate provides several variants – 16/32/64/128GB.

Apple keeps its tradition to keep the mystery around the exact specs of the batteries of its devices. The company promises that the iPad mini 2 will be able to work for up to 10 hours before recharging in normal use.

One of the most rumored features for the tablet – the fingerprint sensor TouchID is not present in the device. Many users were left disappointed by the absence of the biometric feature but hopes are up for much improved TouchID to be integrated in the upcoming models.

Camera

iPad mini 2 is armored with two cameras. The primary shooter is with 5MP iSight with the capabilities to record video with a resolution of 1080p. It boasts improved auto-focus and better stabilization for still shots and video. The front shooter FaceTime HD features the same capabilities as the camera of iPhone 5S. It is perfect for video calls and self portraits.

Software and Connectivity

iPad mini 2 runs on the new iOS 7. It brings a lot of power-efficient features and much improved capabilities compared to the iOS 6. Apple has equipped the slate with abundance of pre-installed apps, like the iWork and Pages among others.

In terms of connectivity, the new tablet boasts a dual-antenna Wi-Fi. It arrived with support for MIMO which guarantees a better speed for data transfer. The iPad mini 2 supports Bluetooth, GPS and LTE bands.

Availability

iPad mini 2 will be launched together with the iPad Air on 1st of November. Apple is planning to release the device on the biggest markets around the globe. The entering price of the 16GB Wi-Fi iPad Mini 2 is $399. The costs for the LTE enabled 128GB model of the slate are $829. One of the carriers that will launch iPad mini 2 in the US is T-Mobile. The new generation small-sized tablet will be available in two color options – silver and space gray. Apple is offering abundance of cases for adding of more colors and protection for the device.

Conclusion

iPad mini 2 is among the most innovative high-end tablets in the tech world today. The A7 chip with 64-bit assures the brilliant performance of the device. The impressive Retina display with 326pp pixel density provides the most fulfilling visual experience of users. The absence of the TouchID feature in the slate is a bit disappointing for the high-tech enthusiasts, but the overall great package of specs and capabilities of the 7.9-inches tablet definitely makes up for it. iPad mini 2 arrives on the tablets’ arena to compete against the new Google Nexus 7 and the newest models from the Galaxy Note 8.0 line among others.