Apple iPad mini 2 release date remains uncertain despite various rumours from named and unnamed sources. Meanwhile, buyers itching to dive into the 8-ish tablet bandwagon are getting impatient. Why wait for the 7.9-inch new mini when the Android Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is available today? The new iPad mini rumours may be building up anticipation in the market. But it may also be driving buyer's attention to the fact that a strong competition has now arrived.

Sure, some Apple users tend to stick to iOS devices. But if all you want is a smaller tablet with a nice screen display, you may want to try the new small Android tablet.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is more expensive than the current iPad mini. Now rumours indicate that iPad mini 2 will be offered for about $30 more than the mini original price. Even if that's true, the Note 8 will still be pricier.

Consider these small tablets' prices in Australia: Samsung Galaxy Note 8 costs $549, while the original iPad mini costs $379. The $170 difference could stop practical gadget shoppers. But not when one looks more closely into the price differentiators: S Pen stylus included, (slightly) better screen display, and expandable storage.

The Samsung S Pen allows users to enjoy more apps for doodling, quick notes and other creative work. The iPad mini sports a 7.9-inch screen with a resolution of 1024 x 768 px, for a pixel density of 163ppi. In contrast, the Note 8's 1280 x 800 resolution gives a pixel density of 189ppi. (The 26ppi difference may not be noticeable, though.) Users of the 16GB variant of the iPad mini are stuck to the same storage space. Note 8 16GB users can expand up to 32GB using a microSD card.

Those who have decided to wait for the iPad mini 2 release date announcement are likely to be solid Apple fans. To be fair to Samsung, the Galaxy Note 8 is a truly competent Android device. You can't blame Apple fans, though, the iPad mini is lighter and more convenient for one-handed use. It does look and feel more expensive on the outside. And app shopping is still better and more fun at the iOS App Store than the Google Play. The former has a wider selection of apps, and the UI looks and feels more intuitive for many users, too.

iPad mini 2 will reportedly come with Retina display technology, or an equivalent screen display booster. This is another factor to consider for those shopping for an 8-ish tablet. Wait for the iPad mini 2 with rumoured specs, or get the Note 8 now, which comes with officially-announced, user-reviewed specs?

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