Apple iPad mini review: One for the road

09 November 2012
Wait, did hell just freeze over? Maybe a couple of degrees cooler? Rumors of a mini version of the iPad had been laughed at, dodged and denied - not necessarily in that order and often all at once. But here it is - the iPad mini is finally a reality...

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  • ?
  • Anonymous
  • YTF
  • 10 Nov 2012

GSMarena is playing safe by saying...buy the ipad if you want style and brand over functionality and low cost

    • ?
    • Anonymous
    • YTF
    • 10 Nov 2012

    z, 10 Nov 2012those android tablets got a huge boarder to it, look so stu... moreLMAO...those black borders allow users to properly hold device while gaming...
    I have the nexus 7 and my dad recently got an ipad mini....because the display is so close to the edge...handling it pushes certain unwanted touchscreen responses.eg: while web browsing..i was clicking unwanted links when holding the device...
    plus the durabiltiy...I can throw my nexus 7 anywhere...still after 4 months it looks rigid and new...the ipad back won't look the same after 6 months.
    plus the screen is simply pathetic..you can see individual pixels.
    not to forget the disadvantages of 4:3 aspect ratio.

    i can fit the nexus 7 in my front or back pocket because of the carefully designed form factor...not so much with the ipad mini..

    all i would say is that...for 249$ you get nexus 7 32gb
    and the basic ipad mini 16 gb ill cost you 329+30(for lightning connector)= 359$..so for 32gb it will be 459$.
    this is US only pricing...it increases by around 100$ in europe and other parts of the world...

    plus ipad cannot match nexus 7 functionality which is way more preferred over a few tablet optimized apps.

      • ?
      • Anonymous
      • gyn
      • 10 Nov 2012

      just go buy a samsung galaxy s3 and be done with it

        • I
        • IROCU
        • nx2
        • 10 Nov 2012

        It does look gorgeous. But again, it's all form over function. Miracast is going to be the next big thing, and Apple with their closed eco system will miss out. They really need to start paying nicely with the rest of the kids or they will end up on their own.

          • v
          • vvvv
          • J9m
          • 10 Nov 2012

          Anonymous, 10 Nov 2012Note 2 is definetly better choice...for what ?

            • a
            • angel
            • pdw
            • 10 Nov 2012

            now we will see here a lot of comments from....
            Samsung fans:))) lol

              • f
              • fonehunter
              • v0X
              • 10 Nov 2012

              definitely a better review!!

                • z
                • z
                • YbM
                • 10 Nov 2012

                those android tablets got a huge boarder to it, look so stupid.

                ps: not a fan of all tablets, apple and android.

                  • P
                  • Pragnesh
                  • Kxb
                  • 10 Nov 2012

                  The last line of the review says it all. (the choice is really between sensible and fancy, cheaper and apple at the back) It is you to decide want be sensible and get fancy and cheaper tablet or want a Apple logo at the back. I choose being sensible and you?

                    • l
                    • l30pard
                    • v9h
                    • 10 Nov 2012

                    apple is just bullshitting now. same shit in different sizes. its going way down then its competitor. stop suing other n start to make some difference.
                    After Steve jobs, apple's got nothing.

                      • m
                      • mr.J
                      • vaP
                      • 10 Nov 2012

                      Useless. If stumble a place with no wifi, ended up playing games.

                        • ?
                        • Anonymous
                        • tug
                        • 10 Nov 2012

                        rubbish ...

                          • j
                          • jtv
                          • t7X
                          • 10 Nov 2012

                          to those who are thinking of buying this, rumors about ipad mini retina are already out. and we all know that rumors about apple were always right since it is their chinese factory workers who are leaking these information for money. maybe march it will be announced and released. you might as well wait.

                            • D
                            • DingDong
                            • ib7
                            • 10 Nov 2012

                            Ted, 09 Nov 2012well, Apple will sell whatever they put to the market, sadl... moreAnd why u not say Samsung stupid when have new phone every month with same design , same name and same spec ??

                              • l
                              • lei71091
                              • tVv
                              • 10 Nov 2012

                              smaller ipad 2...just the size matter, not worth for it. I m certainly will go for nexus 7 if i want 7 inch tablet and go for ipad 4 if i wan an ipad.

                                • s
                                • soja
                                • U{H
                                • 10 Nov 2012

                                another money wasting piece of junk. already sold millions ha ha god bless u buyers

                                  • B
                                  • Boon
                                  • mhq
                                  • 10 Nov 2012

                                  Thanks gsmarena for your review.

                                  It is one of the most balanced of the web.
                                  Perhaps I could add that the best iPad actually is iPad 3
                                  It's the one bring best screen and speed for the buck.

                                  Anyway, you said this nicely, this mini is just a prequel of The real mini with retina and a6x

                                  But apple is ainmed toward CA$H so they prefer use apple pigeon fan base for selling half backed product.

                                    • f
                                    • fonehunter
                                    • v0X
                                    • 10 Nov 2012

                                    definitely a better review!!

                                      • J
                                      • Jack
                                      • y$g
                                      • 10 Nov 2012

                                      I would rather have the Samsung 7.7 - can even make phone calls from it and although older and a little slower, where is the real advantage with the mini iPad - none.

                                        • ?
                                        • Anonymous
                                        • PSc
                                        • 10 Nov 2012

                                        Too expensive than the other tablets.