iPad Mini vs. Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0: In-depth tablet comparison

 

For a while, tablet sizes seemed fixed into two categories: 10-ish inches and 7-ish inches with a short foray into 8.9-inches for some manufacturers. Now it looks like companies are getting wise to the 8-inch form factor, partially due to the iPad Mini. The Mini’s first direct and obvious competitor to hit shelves is the Galaxy Note 8.0 from Samsung.

At $50 more than the iPad Mini, the Note has a bit to prove, and sets out to do so with the addition of the S Pen stylus plus apps to back it up. Compared side by side and feature by feature, which tablet comes out on top? More important, which one is best for you? Read on for our full comparison to help you make up your mind.

Display: Galaxy Note 8.0

 Technically, the Galaxy Note’s display is larger and has a higher resolution than the iPad Mini’s. The 7.9-inch iPad’s 1024 x 768 pixel resolution gives it a pixel density of 163ppi; the 8.0-inch Note’s 1280 x 800 resolution means a 189ppi density. Looking at them side-by-side you can spot the differences, though overall both look great.

The displays are bright and colorful with deep blacks and wide viewing angles. We did note that there is noticeable pixilation on the iPad’s screen that isn’t present on the Note, possibly to to the slightly higher pixel count. Apple and Samsung use different display technologies, so colors don’t look exactly the same when looking at the same content. In general, we preferred the color cast of the Galaxy Note (though a Retina iPad Mini would take the cake, if it existed).

One other aspect worth mentioning: the Note’s display comes with a Wacom layer for the pen functionality. This doesn’t affect the clarity of the display but does add the ability to receive precise pen input from the S Pen.

Design: iPad Mini

 One other difference in the displays is aspect ratio. Android tablets tend to have taller, skinnier screens than iPads, which maintain a 4:3 aspect ratio. Thus, the Note is a bit taller than the Mini even though their screen sizes (measured diagonally) are almost identical. Both tablets are about the same width, though, because the Note has a half inch bezel around the screen, making it as just balanced and easy to hold as the iPad. Overall, the Mini’s metal case feels more solid and sturdy (and premium) than the Galaxy Note. The Note’s advantage is that it feels lighter, even though it has a slightly thicker profile. Both are great for one-handed use and feel comfortable and natural in the hand.

Specs and Hardware: Galaxy Note 8.0

The iPad Mini has just on port beyond the headphone jack: the Lightning connector. Though it can’t connect to some older accessories without an expensive adapter, plenty of new ones are available now. Aside from Wi-Fi for wireless, there are 4G LTE iPad models available.

	iPad Mini	Galaxy Note 8
Price	$330-$530	$400
Modified UI	No	Yes
OS	iOS 6	Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean)
Processor	A5 Chip (dual-core)	1.6GHz A9 quad-core
RAM	512MB	2GB
Display	7.9 inches	8 inches
Resolution	1024×768	1280×800
Dimensions (WxDxH)	200 x 134 x 7.2 (mm)	210.8 x 135.9 x 7.95 (mm)
Weight	308g (WiFi), 312g (4G LTE)	331g
Connectivity	Wi-Fi, 4G LTE	Wi-Fi, 3G
Marketplace	App Store	Google Play store
Front Camera	1.2 megapixels	1.3 megapixels
Back Camera	5 megapixels	5 megapixels
Bluetooth	Yes, 4.0	Yes, 4.0
Charger	Lightning Connector	USB
Internal storage	16/32/64GB	16/32GB
SD card slot	No	Yes
Battery Life	10 hours	4,600mAh (8-9 hours)

Specs don’t tell the whole story, but you can see that both tablets are fairly evenly matched. In the U.S., Samsung is only selling the Wi-Fi version of the Galaxy Note, no LTE available for now. For this model, the company ditched the proprietary connector for a more universal Micro USB port. As the port is MHL enabled, it’s still possible to output to HDTVs and do other fancy connection tricks with the right dongle. Unlike the iPad, owners can expand the Note’s internal storage via a microSD slot that takes cards up to 32GB.

Tablet Apps: iPad Mini

 The iPad Mini’s advantage in this category comes from the strength of the App Store. Though there are about as many apps in the Google Play store as are available for iOS, there are more apps for iPad than there are for Android tablets. And iOS apps for the Mini are made to work with its display size. It’s hard to determine which Android apps will look all right on larger screens since Google doesn’t break them out or allow users to search by compatibility. This isn’t as much of a problem on the Galaxy Note 8.0 as it is on 10-inch tablets since phone apps still look okay on the 8-inch display. And Google Play has far more free apps than iTunes. Still, it’s far easier to find compatible apps for the Mini.

Multimedia and Entertainment: Galaxy Note 8.0

As far as content sources, the Mini and Note are evenly matched. Apple’s own music, video, and e-book offerings are extensive, and users can supplement this with apps that open up even more libraries for streaming, rental, and purchase. The same can be said for Android. Google Play isn’t as comprehensive as iTunes, though is on a par when it comes to new releases. Plus, Samsung bundles the company’s own media hubs and stores. Both tablets include the ability to stream to other media devices – HDTV, speakers, etc. – via wired connection or wirelessly; AllShare for the Note and AirPlay for the Mini. Watching content on the tablets themselves is a good experience thanks to the displays. The Mini’s speakers pump more rounded and complex audio and is particularly good for a tablet.

So far, both are pretty evenly matched, but the Galaxy Note’s hardware gives it an advantage: the infrared blaster for controlling TVs, cable boxes, and media centers. With the included TV guide (in the WatchON app), the tablet is an even more useful second screen.

Productivity: Galaxy Note 8.0

The Note 8.0′s major claim to fame is the S Pen stylus included. Coupled with the Wacom technology in the display, it allows owners to write, draw, and navigate the tablet with precision. The S Pen is pressure sensitive and has functionality above and beyond what a capacitive stylus (which works with any tablet) can offer. If you regularly work with documents, like to take handwritten notes, or want mouse-like precision for working with photo editing software like Photoshop Touch, the S Pen makes the Galaxy Note very desirable.

On the software side, Samsung’s bundled apps help make it a good productivity companion right out of the box. We find S Note far more useful than Evernote (even with Skitch in the mix) and the S Planner’s handwriting mode gives owners the power to draw on their monthly calendar. We also dig the Multiwindow function, which lets users split the screen between two apps. We find this most useful when taking notes and researching.

Just because the iPad Mini doesn’t have a stylus doesn’t mean it isn’t a useful mobile productivity tool. By virtue of being an Apple product, there are already tons of accessories that support the Mini, including a slew of keyboards and keyboard cases. The keyboards are mostly small and cramped though, since they’re made to be the same size as the iPad. For pen fans, the Pogo Connect for iPad offers some of the same functionality as the S Pen, though it’s not as reliable.

Camera: Galaxy Note 8.0

The 5-megapixel cameras on the rear of both the iPad and the Note take decent pictures for tablet cameras. Comparing shots side-by-side, the Galaxy Note’s are a little warmer than the iPad Mini’s, though otherwise much the same in terms of crispness and pixilation. The Note pulls ahead due to the camera app, which is far more robust than the Mini’s. The long list of options available for Samsung smartphones is on this tablet as well, from Exposure to filters to panorama to instant sharing. Third party camera apps can bring this to the iPad as well, though users appreciate having features available right out of the box.

If video chatting is more important to you, it’s worth noting that the iPad Mini’s 1.3-megapixel front facing camera captures brighter, more color images than the Note’s 1.2-megapixel one.

Performance: Tie

It’s hard to compare performance in a controlled manner since they use different operating systems. From hands-on use, we found both the iPad Mini and The Galaxy Note to be speedy and smooth overall. The Note 8.0 is probably the more robust of the two since it has to support multi-window multitasking, but in everyday use either tablet will serve you well no matter the app.

Battery Life: iPad Mini

In our usage, we found that the Galaxy Note could last almost two days with medium to heavy on and off usage, but only if we tweaked settings and employed battery saving measures. The iPad Mini more easily lasted this long with some juice left over with around the same usage. Both tablets will last all day, ad unless you’re in desperate need of 48 hour battery life, the difference isn’t vast.

Price and Selection: iPad Mini

Apple may only make a few products, but each of their devices have multiple configurations to suit multiple needs. The iPad Mini is available in 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB models, either Wi-Fi only or 4G LTE capable with a choice of carriers: Verizon Wireless, Sprint, or AT&T. It also comes in black or white. Prices start at $350 for the 16GB Wi-Fi only version and go up to $430 and $530 for larger storage models. The 4G models start at $460 for 16GB and go up to $560 and $660.

There is just one Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 model available in the U.S. right now, a white, 16GB, Wi-Fi only model for $400. We expect that a 4G LTE version will eventually come to one of Samsung’s partner carriers, just as the Note 10.1 eventually did… many months later.

In terms of value, the iPad Mini costs $50 less but doesn’t have the S Pen technology, IR blaster, or a micro SD card slot. We think these hardware extras make the Galaxy Note 8.0′s price reasonable in comparison.

Winner: Galaxy Note 8.0 (iPad Mini is a close 2nd)

Samsung created a jack of all trades with the Galaxy Note 8.0. It scores high marks for content creation and consumption and does a few tricks the iPad Mini can’t (not without help and extra expense, anyway). And thanks to a more robust Android app and media ecosystem than we had just a year ago, Note owners will hardly want for anything on the content side.

However, the iPad Mini benefits from a healthy Apple ecosystem and is still king of tablet apps. You also have more choices when shopping for an iPad Mini, your budget being the only limitation.

Both of these tablets are the pinnacle of what’s available in this size range. Your choice depends on what you want out of a slate device: an entertainment companion or a work and play buddy?

 

 

 

The iPad Mini Might Actually Be Announced in October

via gizmodo.com

We've long known that iPhone 5 Day 2012 would be September 12th—Apple would hold an event, Tim Cook would go on stage, a new iPhone would be announced and Apple will claim that this changes everything. There were also reports that a new 7-inch iPad mini would be announced on the same day. They might've been wrong. New reports are coming out that the iPad mini might actually launch in October.

Well-connected and professional Apple dot-connector John Gruber is disputing the previous report about a dual-announcement of the iPhone 5 and iPad Mini and hinting that it makes more sense for Apple to hold two different events and announce the iPhone 5 on September 12th and then wait until October to introduce the iPad Mini. Something about Apple not wanting to share the stage with itself and stealing attention from the iPhone. He says:

First, an iPhone event, focused solely on the new iPhone and iOS 6. Then, the iPhone ships nine days later, and there's another wave of iPhone-focused attention as the reviews come out. Then, in the first or second week of October, Apple holds its traditional "music event", exactly along the lines of the events at which they've been debuting new iPods for the last decade.

This is speculation, of course (hell the September 12th iPhone date hasn't even been confirmed by Apple yet), but Gruber has traditionally been spot on when it comes to the going ons of Apple. For what it's worth, Jim Dalrymple of The Loop, another traditionally well-connected Apple man, slyly hints that Gruber is right in his thinking. So what does that mean? Well, instead of a one day iPhone and iPad Mini bonanza, it looks like we could have a two month long Applefest of new shiny gadgets from Cupertino.

iPad Mini May Be Launched Right After iPhone 5 this September

 

We’ve got another golden nugget from the fine folks at AppleInsider. According to an analyst from KGI Securities, Apple may release the iPhone 5 as early as September, and right after that, they may be releasing the so-called iPad mini. (Personally we believe they’ll be using lower-case to stylize the mini’s name.)

Ming-Chi Kuo’s most recent note to investors stated that Apple will push on with the release of the new iPhone this September, with the iPad mini following suit not long after that. In case you haven’t heard, the iPad mini is Apple’s 7.85-inch version of the popular iPad tablet, and Apple’s first shot at the entry-level tablet market.

Kuo concisely discussed the prospects of the iPhone 5 and iPad mini in his note, and based on his forecasts, the new iPhone may not ship as much as previous iPhone iterations due to “in-cell touch panel and casing yield rate limits.”

via easternmorningherald.com

 

iPad Mini Rumors: Supply Chain Leaks Pics of iPad Mini Engineering Sample

Amid the intensifying competition among smaller, budget tablets with the upcoming release of the Asus-manufactured Google Nexus 7, Apple seems ready to come out with its own challenger to this market segment. Now, a source from the Apple supply chain in China has leaked photos of an engineering sample for the rumored iPad Mini that hints at the device’s form factor.

 

Gotta Be Mobile reported, that the sample is a plastic piece that could have the job of cleaning up the production process and testing planned accessories. Placed side-by-side, the iPad Mini will be marginally thinner than the current third-generation iPad.

via easternmorningherald.com

 

iPad Mini will hammer Google Nexus 7 tablet, says Forbes

With a better ecosystem of applications and the ability to enjoy more content, Apple’s heavily rumored iPad Mini will certainly destroy Google’s Nexus 7 tablet, according to a recent Forbes column.

Forbes writer Brian Caulfield praises Google’s new tablet as “quick, slick and pocketable,” but he’s not convinced it’s an iPad killer. In fact, he doesn’t even think it’ll be an iPad Mini killer.

 

“The fact Google’s 7-inch tablet has done so well since its earlier this month only ups the odds Apple will respond,” Caulfield writes. “And if, as rumored, Apple does launch a compact version of its iPad tablet computer, it will almost certainly crush Google’s Nexus 7.

Apple’s rumored iPad Mini is expected to feature a 7.85-inch screen and go on sale sometime this year. The smaller tablet would be about 3-inches smaller than its current 10-inch model. The smaller model isn’t expected to include an ultra-sharp Retina display, as Apple’s third-generation model currently uses.

The smaller model may be more appealing to women and commuters, who need something quick to throw in their purse. It would be competitively priced between $200 and $250, depending on storage size.

What makes the iPad better than all other tablets in the Android market right now? A few main arguments:

• The app ecosystem. There are millions of applications out there and hundreds of new ones being approved daily. Apple is lightyears ahead of Android when it comes to in-house and third party applications.

• More content. And more specifically — more familiar content. People manage their music, movies and TV shows through iTunes, which is on every iOS device. Google Play doesn’t offer as many television shows as Apple does and same with movies.

• Buying from Apple is a better experience. I suppose you go to Best Buy to buy a Nexus 7, but I couldn’t be 100 percent sure. Apple is everywhere now — including Best Buy! It’s an easier choice for consumers.

Apple’s iPad Mini could very likely go on sale next to the iPhone 5, the company’s next-generation smartphone.

• Related posts:

1. iPad Mini coming after Google announces $199 Nexus 7 tablet?
2. iPad Mini samples surface, show thinner design
3. iPad Mini Becoming a Reality as Suppliers Ramp Up Production
4. ‘iPad Mini’ ramping up production this September
5. iPad Mini with ultra-thin display coming in October

 

via ipad.blorge.com

 

Apple's already telling us there is an iPad mini, you just have to read between the lines

The iPad mini, it's what the rumour mill wants Apple to launch in September. Although the late Steve Jobs always said that a 7-inch tablet didn't make sense, several clues in the company's Q3 earnings report conference call point to the idea that Apple could be about to go against that belief and launch such a device in the very near future.

The biggest clue of the earnings call by Tim Cook was iPad sales, and in particular sales of the iPad 2. On the launch of the new iPad (the iPad 3), Apple reduced the price of the iPad 2. For many companies the idea of reducing the price of an older product is normal. Companies do it to clear out the remaining stock, but with Apple's inventory so well managed, the move to sell a cheaper iPad would have been a calculated one, designed to open up the chance for more people to buy an iPad.

The trick worked. Apple has confirmed that sales of the iPad 2 rocketed, surprising the company and going some way to the 17 million iPads sold in the past 90 days.

Those sales of a cheaper iPad will be hard to ignore by the COO and CEO, and could urge Apple to reduce the price of the iPad 2 even further - or more likely create a new model allowing them to go lower on price without denting margins. Remember, Apple likes to make money on the products, rather than take Google's approach and sell the Nexus 7 at break-even just to try to get market share.

If you take that information and add in the knowledge that we are currently in a recession and that Apple itself acknowledges some of its customers are feeling the pinch (especially in mainland Europe and the USA), making sure your products are still affordable is very important.

How do you create a cheaper version of the iPad? Reduce the size of the screen.

The second, and perhaps equally as compelling reason for Apple to create an iPad mini, is education. Cook, and other Apple execs also on the earnings call, mentioned the word education over and over again. That's no mistake, or chance.

“The adoption rate of iPad in education is something I’d never seen from any technology product in history,” Tim Cook said during the earnings call, backing up his urge to talk education.  

The Apple execs talked of how education districts in the US were opting for the iPad over regular Mac computers, how teachers were using the iPad in the classroom to help pupils learn and play. From a schools perspective you can see the appeal. The iPad, although expensive, is still cheaper than a laptop. Dedicated apps are easier to run than apps on a laptop, and as a visual tool they are far easier, as there isn't the risk of the keyboard and plenty of other parts getting broken. If tablets (all be it slate) were good enough for the Romans, then surely 2000 years later the concept of them should work here too.

While some institutions have embraced the iPad, a lower price point would certainly open up sales further. Education makes a lot of sense. It's a win-win for Apple. It sells more Apple products in the short term to school districts or local authorities, but also introduces the brand to thousands, if not millions of children who will one day grow up and want Apple products of their own. The "get them while they're young" philosophy, if you like.

In more simple terms, a smaller iPad would also be more appealing to children because they have smaller hands. It sounds a silly idea, and perhaps one not worth mentioning until you've watched a small child play with a current iPad. The iPad is heavy and many kids struggle with that. A lighter, smaller iPad would solve this problem.

A 7-inch iPad therefore would fit several of Apple's current goals. It helps it to sell a cheaper iPad for cash-strapped people without damaging the current iPad range and it allows it to offer schools a device that is affordable - and at a stretch would be more suited for the smaller hands of youngsters.

When you read between the lines - and don't forget this is all hypothetical as Apple has officially confirmed nothing aside from the idea that it likes people speculating - an iPad mini or iPad (7-inch) makes a lot of sense, and that's before you look at the plethora of reasons beyond those Apple was so keen to exude on its Q3 earnings call.

The question isn't why any longer, but when?

via pocket-lint.com

 

iPad Mini to debut in September, says analyst

(Credit: Apple)

Apple's alleged iPad Mini could see the light of day before the end of September, says KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

In a report released yesterday and covered by MacRumors, Kuo said he expects the new iPhone to debut in September, possibly near the start of the month. The iPad Mini will then follow closely as a second act.

Assuming an iPad Mini does pop up in September, the analyst is anticpating heavy demand. He's already projecting unit sales of 1.8 million just for the few short weeks marking the end of the calendar third quarter. And in the fourth quarter, the new iPad could grab sales as high as 13 million, surpassing those of its bigger brother.

Kuo is also eyeing changes to the 9.7-inch iPad, namely some internal modifications to resolve thermal issues and to cut costs. Those changes are expected in the third quarter but won't be noticed by consumers.

With a new iPhone and possible iPad Mini on the way, the analyst is predicting a blockbuster fourth-quarter for Apple. For the final quarter of the year, Kuo is looking for iPhone sales to surpass 55 million and total iPad sales to reach almost 34 million.

Apple reports its June quarter results later today, which CNET will cover live.

via news.cnet.com

 

The iPad mini Makes Perfect Sense for Apple

Steve Jobs and Apple shocked the world when the iPad arrived priced at $499 back in 2010. This year’s $399 iPad 2 all but locked out the competition. Until, that is, Google’s $199 Nexus 7 — the Amazon Kindle Fire really is little more than a glorified ereader — which is a quality product outside of Apple’s price umbrella.

What’s that? A price umbrella is the coverage a market leader provides competitors by establishing a premium price. That is, no one could reasonably expect to sell a tablet for more than $499 after 2010, but design, manufacturing and component costs prevented anyone from delivering an attractive lower-priced competitor until the Google Nexus 7.

With that cat out of the bag, here’s the precise reason why an iPad mini makes sense and is perhaps inevitable.

“Looking at the green iPad price points, we can see the the iPad 2 served to push down the umbrella from $499 to $399,” writes Ryan Jones of I Am Concise. “However, there is an obvious umbrella and it’s clear that Apple needs a product to cover the $199 to $399 price range. — insert the iPad Mini here.”

Add in the rumored 4-inch iPod touch and there’s exactly zero oxygen left in the handheld and tablet market segments.

Apple owned the media player (a.k.a. iPod) market with that strategy and has extended its reach, profits and market share in smartphones by offering previous generation iPhones at a discount.

And, the Cupertino kids are gonna do it again in tablets with the 7-inch iPad mini.

Makes perfect sense…

What’s your take?

via LoopInsight, Image Fast Company

via tapscape.com