Kindle Fire 2 vs. iPad Mini: Leaked Specs and Pricing Predict Surprisingly Comparable Devices

Rumored specs for both the Kindle Fire 2 and iPad Mini devices have steadily leaked onto the internet. While potentially true, the details featured below are to be taken with a grain of salt. As such, this comparison only serves to pit the speculated iPad Mini against a potential version of the Kindle Fire 2.

Size and Build

According to TechRadar's source, Amazon will be offering a 7-inch, a 8.9 inch, and a 10-inch version of the Kindle Fire 2. BGR's source reports that the new model will replace the original Kindle Fire's soft-touch body with a metal casing. The back of both versions will have a chrome-look "rib" on the back of the device to add color contrast to the black matte finish, adds the source. The Kindle Fire 2 is described as thinner than the first gen iPad.

Sources claim that the iPad Mini will have a 7.85" display. Sterne Agee analyst Shaw Wu also speculated that 7.85" would be plausible "when, not if" the device launched.

Pricing

Sources close to the iPad Mini state that the device will be surprisingly affordable, says The New York Times. More specifically, a Digitimes source suggests a $249-$299 price range for Apple's product.

There is no word on Kindle Fire 2 pricing as of yet, but don't be surprised Amazon remains constant with its $199 price point in order to maintain its appeal to tablet consumers on a budget.  

Resolution

Sources informed AllThingsD that the Kindle Fire 2 will have a high-resolution 1280 x 800 display, the same as on the Google Nexus 7.

Wu suggest that the iPad mini will display at 1,024 x 768, the same resolution as the iPad and iPad 2.

Release

At the company's September 6^th Amazon will likely clarify the launch date of the device more concretely.

The iPad Mini may have a head start on the Kindle Fire 2, if rumors that it will launch later this year are to be believed.

Misc. Rumors

The 10-inch Kindle Fire 2 model is said to include a front-facing camera, with both versions including a microUSB port and a possible HDMI-out port.

Alleged leaked iPad mini case photos display a hole for a rear camera and a Facetime Camera. These pictures show a smaller dock connector, a microphone opening at the top of the device, and an extra upper-back opening.

If the speculation rings true Apple looks offer a comparable device to the Kindle Fire 2 at a competitive, if not equal price point. More details to come after Amazon's conference.