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Apple has introduced the iPad mini with Retina display, aka the iPad mini 2, so how does it compare to the original pint-sized iPad mini? Find out in our iPad Mini 2 vs iPad mini comparison review.

The iPad mini with Retina display was announced yesterday alongside the new iPad Air, or iPad 5. If you're wondering what's different in the iPad mini 2 compare to the original then you've come to the right place.

See also: iPad Air vs iPad 2 comparison review.

Whether you've already got an iPad mini and pondering whether to upgrade or not, or thinking about buying an iPad mini for the first time, this article compares the two models in every aspect.

Apple iPad mini 2 vs iPad mini: Price

Apple usual keeps its pricing the same when it brings out a new model of an iPad. However, the iPad mini 2 is £50 more than the previous generation and so starts at £319 instead of £269. The original iPad mini is still on sale but unless you buy second hand is only available in 16 GB with a slight price drop to £249.

The extra £70 for the iPad mini 2 is going to be worth it for the Retina display and A7 processor. You see the full price breakdown in the table below. See also: The top 10 best tablets: What's the best tablet you can buy in 2013?

Apple iPad mini 2 vs iPad mini: Dimensions

On the face of it, the iPad mini 2 looks identical to its predecessor. However, as with the iPad 2 being upgraded to a Retina display for the iPad 3, the tablet is slightly thicker and heavier because of the upgrade. Luckily the small increase in thickness and weight is minimal so you shouldn't worry about it.

The iPad mini colours now reflect the iPad mini 2, iPhone 5S and iPad Air: black/slate grey and white/silver.

Apple iPad mini 2 vs iPad mini: Screen

The iPad mini 2 remains the same size as the original so therefore has a 7.9 in screen which is also LED-backlit and an IPS panel. The key change is that the resolution has been upgraded to Retina quality and is probably the main reason to opt for the newer model over the original.

Apple has doubled the resolution to same as the full-size iPad Air meaning that the pixel density has also doubled and the amount of pixels is four times the iPad mini. That's a big difference and gives the iPad mini 2 the best ppi for any iPad model.

Apple iPad mini 2 vs iPad mini:  Processor

Another key upgrade to the iPad mini 2 is the new A7 64-bit processor which Apple introduced with the iPhone 5S. It's more powerful, future proof and has the M7 motion coprocessor.

We haven't tested the iPad mini 2 yet but Apple says it's four times faster than its predecessor in terms of processing power and eight times better for graphics. We've only had a brief hands-on with the Retina iPad mini so once we've tested it properly we'll give you our feedback on performance.

Apple iPad mini 2 vs iPad mini: Storage

Unless you're going to buy a second hand iPad mini, there is a big difference in terms of storage. The original is still on sale at Apple but only in 16 GB. Meanwhile the iPad mini 2 has a new larger capacity at 128 GB.

There's more flexibility then with the iPad mini 2 and it almost goes without saying that there is not microSD card slot for expansion.

Apple iPad mini 2 vs iPad mini: Cameras

If you're into tablet photography then you can look elsewhere for something to split the two iPad minis. Both tablets have a 5Mp rear facing iSight camera and 1.2Mp front facing FaceTime HD webcam.

Apple iPad mini 2 vs iPad mini: Connectivity

As is typical with new generations of iPads, connectivity remains largely the same, but not entirely. The iPad mini 2 still has the Lightning connector, albeit with a beefier 10W USB power adapter, and Bluetooth 4.0.

However, wireless in terms of Wi-Fi and cellular has been upgraded. It now has dual-antennae and MIMO (multiple input multiple output) which Apple says doubles the speed compared to the original iPad mini (300Mbps versus 150Mbps theoretical).

As per usual, you'll only get GPS if you buy the cellular version of either iPad mini, but the iPad mini 2 has support for more 4G LTE bands making it better suited to roaming.

Apple iPad mini 2 vs iPad mini: Software

When comparing Apple devices with each other, you can essentially ignore the software difference. Both iPad mini models come pre-loaded with iOS 7.

However, what is worth noting is that iPad mini original users won't get the benefit of apps optimised for the Retina display and 64-bit processor of the iPad mini 2.

Apple iPad mini 2 vs iPad mini: Battery

According to Apple, there's no difference between the two iPad minis for battery life. Despite a more power hungry Retina display, the iPad mini 2 retains the 10 hour benchmark for surfing the web on Wi-Fi, watching video or listening to music.

As we've said, we've only had a hands-on with the iPad mini 2 so once we've tested battery life we'll let you know if these claims are true.