Apple iPad mini 2 is finally here: 64-bit A7 chip and Retina display

posted by Chris P. / Oct 22, 2013, 1:25 PM

Apple iPad mini 2 is finally here: 64-bit A7 chip and Retina display

Ladies and gents, after suffering through a frustratingly conflicting rumor phase, the Apple iPad mini 2 is finally here. The little juggernaut out of Cupertino is in for a rough ride, however, for the compact tablet space is, fittingly, very tightly snug together, with barely any room left for new entrants. Of course, the new iPad mini 2 isn’t just any entrant, and if any one slate is well-positioned to take the market by storm, it’s the 7.9-incher from Apple.

Design

Looks are deceiving they say, and you can definitely see what people mean with the design of the iPad mini and mini 2 which actually won out in the end. What you see with the iPad mini 2 is now also the official look of the new iPads, big and small. In a typical Apple fashion, the new iPad mini 2 is thinner (7.5mm), lighter (331g/341g for the Wi-Fi only/LTE versions, respectively) and more compact (200x134.7mm) than the previous version, whilst retaining the same square-ish looks we’ve come to love about it. We’re usually obsessed with change in the mobile space, but it’s probably fair to say that the Apple iPad mini 2 is one of a few devices that we’re glad to see stick to its roots.

The iPad mini 2 will come in just two color combinations including: Silver & White and Space Grey & Black.

Specs

We talk a lot about the specs race that is going in full force over at Android’s space, and it’s turned into a kind of a measuring stick for much of how we view new products on the platform. iOS devices, however, are inherently different, and Apple has managed time and time again to showcase that even seemingly inferior hardware simply works on their devices. Which is why the dual-core Apple A7 chipset on the iPad mini 2 is nothing to laugh at -- this very same chip blazed through benchmarks on the iPhone 5s. Note that this also means that the iPad mini 2 has also inherited the dedicated M7 motion coprocessor.

We did touch on the annoyances that the rumor stage of the iPad mini 2’s development caused, so it goes without saying that we’re pretty much obligated to talk about the display on the iPad mini 2. We’re happy to see that our perseverance has paid off and that a new, high-resolution screen is a fact on the Apple iPad mini 2. Running at 2048x1536 pixels (326 ppi), the 7.9-inch display on the new tab will certainly not lack in detail.

Unfortunately, the rumors that the new iPads will get an upgraded 8-megapixel snapper on their backs with a wide aperture turn out to be untrue, for the 5-megapixel, 5-element, f/2.4 iSight camera is here to stay. Up front, we have what Apple likes to call a FaceTime HD camera, which is simply a 1.2-megapixel snapper, capable of 720p HD video capture.

Giving life to this entire show is a 2380mAh battery, a tiny improvement over the 2340mAh cell on the original iPad mini, though Apple is advertising that it's good for 10 hours of continuous video playback, identical to its predecessor. We'll have to wait and see whether Cupertino has indeed managed to work enough magic to make up for the higher energy consumption of the higher-resolution display.

And that's about it, folks... meaning that, no, you ain't getting Touch ID after all, and isn't that a shame!

Price and release date

So how much will Apple have you cough up for the new iPad mini 2? The Apple iPad mini 2 pricing starts at $399 for the 16GB and goes all the way up to $699 for the whopping 128GB Wi-Fi version. If you're looking for a truly portable experience, than prepare to dole out $529/$629/$729/$829 for the 16GB/32GB/64GB/128GB LTE variants, respectively.

The Apple iPad mini 2 will be made available "later in November", meaning that specifics are currently scarce and you can't plan your camp-out in advance just yet.

Apple iPad mini 2

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105 Comments

1. tahnik

Posts: 201; Member since: Jul 17, 2011

This is too mainstream...

posted on Oct 22, 2013, 1:26 PM 2

42. zuckerboy

Posts: 898; Member since: Dec 22, 2011

what did you expect ? an ipad with cofee machine ?

posted on Oct 22, 2013, 1:40 PM 13

48. theoak

Posts: 324; Member since: Nov 16, 2011

At least there is only one model now for all carriers. I can buy a Mini Retina or an Air ... and it does not matter what carrier I am on ... I can even switch if wanted/needed.

posted on Oct 22, 2013, 1:45 PM 2

97. Galen20K

Posts: 577; Member since: Dec 26, 2008

VERY good point. I think it's important to get to a position where we aren't tied down to any one carrier in the USA and be able to change carriers every week if we'd like.

posted on Oct 22, 2013, 5:15 PM 1

71. Mobilephile

Posts: 168; Member since: Nov 25, 2012

This is too overpriced...

posted on Oct 22, 2013, 2:10 PM 4

79. zuckerboy

Posts: 898; Member since: Dec 22, 2011

as all apple pruducts... so this is expected

posted on Oct 22, 2013, 2:26 PM 3

73. JojoGo101

Posts: 211; Member since: Dec 17, 2012

It is overpriced, but that A7 integrated in the iPad mini 2 is tempting..

posted on Oct 22, 2013, 2:13 PM 4

2. Ninetysix

Posts: 2965; Member since: Oct 08, 2012

Too awesome. No more recycled old parts. What are the nokia/fandroid guys going to say now?

posted on Oct 22, 2013, 1:26 PM 7

7. shields.gm

Posts: 6; Member since: Feb 27, 2012

Glad you guys finally made it to the party :)

posted on Oct 22, 2013, 1:29 PM 2

10. WHoyton1

Posts: 1635; Member since: Feb 21, 2013

No need to start a flame war troll go back to your cave!

posted on Oct 22, 2013, 1:30 PM 10

19. Ninetysix

Posts: 2965; Member since: Oct 08, 2012

@work right now munching on some Raisinets. Sup?

posted on Oct 22, 2013, 1:31 PM 3

23. WHoyton1

Posts: 1635; Member since: Feb 21, 2013

wha???

posted on Oct 22, 2013, 1:33 PM 2

44. PapaSmurf

Posts: 10457; Member since: May 14, 2012

Sharing is caring broseph. :)

posted on Oct 22, 2013, 1:44 PM 1

78. Ninetysix

Posts: 2965; Member since: Oct 08, 2012

All mine. $5 for 5 @target.

posted on Oct 22, 2013, 2:23 PM 0

11. silencer271

Posts: 254; Member since: Apr 05, 2013

over priced more of the same and its not magical?

posted on Oct 22, 2013, 1:30 PM 3

16. Bootutu

Posts: 228; Member since: Jul 11, 2013

Shut up already, no one said they are rubbish, you are just dwelling on your insecurities, anyways ipad mini 2 looks awesome.

posted on Oct 22, 2013, 1:30 PM 4

32. pookiewood

Posts: 631; Member since: Mar 05, 2012

I can't speak for anyone else but Surface 2 or 2520? Hmmm?

posted on Oct 22, 2013, 1:36 PM 0

63. PapaSmurf

Posts: 10457; Member since: May 14, 2012

Nothing is groundbreaking about the 2520 especially when it shares the same price point of the iPad Air. iPad Air > 2520

posted on Oct 22, 2013, 1:54 PM 4

38. taz89

Posts: 2014; Member since: May 03, 2011

only thing imo which is not right is keeping the ipad 2 at still 399, it was 399 nearly 18months ago so considering it has over 2 year old spec it should at the most got a price drop to 299 same as the mini but really they should have kept the ipad 4 instead they go with the even older model and not even the ipad 3. they must be making a huge profit margin on the the ipad 2 . also with the the ipad 2 still having the old 30 pin connector which you would think apple would want to eradicate it asap. 399 for an ipad 2, if anyone buys that they are clueless, you would much rather have the retina mini for 399.