iPad mini Retina vs LG G Pad 8.3 – Apple vs Android tablet battle

Today we’re taking a look at the iPad mini Retina, also known as iPad mini 2 or iPad mini with Retina display. The multiple named device is known for being one of the best small tablets currently available. Its challenger for this particular battle will be the LG G Pad 8.3, also a popular tablet in its own right. Both are top of the line devices that offer a good bang for the buck, but which one of them is better? Let’s take a look and find out.

iPad mini Retina

The second generation iPad mini tablet has been around since last November and shares many similarities to its predecessor. The tablet created quite the fuss when Apple first announced that the device will feature the same 2048 x 1536 resolution found on bigger iPads. The 324 ppi 7.9-inch panel is a bit smaller than its counterparts, but comes with the already famous Retina display that can also be found on the iPad Air.

The company went all out with the iPad mini Retina and equipped the device with a 64-bit Apple A7 chipset, Cyclone dual-core processor running at 1.3 GHz and 1GB DDR3 RAM. The device comes with 16/32/64/128 GB internal storage options, but doesn’t feature a microSD card slot for additional memory so keep that in mind when choosing a variant.

iPad mini Retina sports a 5MP, 2592 x 1944 resolution primary camera which allows videos to be captured in 1080p at 30 frames per second. The camera comes with a wide variety of useful features, such as autofocus, Geo-tagging, touch focus, face detection, HDR, and more. iPad mini 2 also features a smaller 1.2 MP secondary camera capable of recording videos in 720p @ 30 fps.

If you’re interested in connectivity options, it’s good to know that the iPad mini Retina comes in two models, one featuring 4G while the other has WiFi capabilities. Finally, the tablet comes equipped with a massive 23.8 Wh Li-Po battery that can last for up to 10 hours of multimedia use. iPad mini Retina runs on iOS 7 but can be upgraded to use the iOS 7.1.1 operating system.

Specs

• 7.87 x 5.30 x 0.30 inches
• 7.9-inch 2048 x 1536 display, 324 ppi
• Apple A7 1.3 GHz dual-core
•  1GB RAM
• 16/32/64/128 GB internal storage options
• 5 Megapixel rear camera, 1.2 front
• iOS 7 (can be upgraded to iOS 7.1.1)
• 23.8 Wh battery, up to 10 hours multimedia use

LG G Pad 8.3

Our other contender was released around the same time as the iPad mini 2 and is currently the only tablet in the LG G series, which also includes smartphones like the LG G2. Just as its name suggests, the device sports a 8.3-inch IPS LCD display that features 1920 x 1080 resolution and 273 pixel density.

A quick look at the specs reveals that the LG G Pad 8.3 comes equipped with a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 @ 1.7 GHz quad-core processor. The tablet comes right off the bat with 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB internal storage, and also includes a microSD card slot that allows for up to 64GB additional memory.

LG’s G Pad 8.3 also sports a 2592 x 1944 resolution, 5 megapixel primary camera and comes with features like image stabilization, panorama, HDR and touch focus, just to name a few. The rear camera allows for 1080p @ 30 fps video capture, while it’s smaller 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera can also go as far as 720p, just like the mini.

Last but not least, the tablet also features WiFi and 4G models for connectivity purposes. LG G Pad 8.3 comes equipped with a 4600 mAh non-removable Li-Po battery that allows for about 7 hours of multimedia use before you need to reach for the charger. The device ships with Android 4.2.2 JellyBean, but can be upgraded to run on the 4.4.2 KitKat operating system.

Specs

• 8.54 x 4.98 x 0.33 inches
• 8.3-inch 1920 x 1200 display, 273 ppi
• Snapdragon 600 1.7 GHz quad-core
• 2GB RAM
• 16GB storage (Micro-SD up to 64 GB)
• 5 Megapixel rear camera, 1.3 front
• Android 4.2.2 JellyBean (can be upgraded to Android 4.4.2 KitKat)
• 4,600 mAh battery, up to 7 hours multimedia use

There can be only one

At first glance, it looks like the iPad mini Retina should clearly win this Apple vs Android tablet battle. The device features a superior display and battery life, which are strong selling points when it comes to tablets. However, another important factor is the price. While the iPad mini Retina can cost anywhere from $400 up to $700 depending on the version, the LG G Pad 8.3 is usually much cheaper and can be bough for about $350-400.

That being said, Apple offers a premium but more expensive product, while LG brings a cheaper one but arguably inferior, although the difference is not that huge. We’ll have to declare the iPad mini Retina the winner because of its overall superior specs and display. But ultimately it all comes down to which operating system you like best so the final decision will be yours.