It's been a couple of months since Google (GOOGL -2.91%) released its second-generation Nexus 7. The new version of the device features a high-resolution display along with a higher price tag. Amazon.com's new Kindle Fire HDX that was just released does likewise on both fronts. Meanwhile, Apple (AAPL -0.24%) is preparing to release its second-generation iPad Mini later this month.

Ahead of the new iPad Mini launch, we compare the first-generation iPad Mini with the second-generation Nexus 7 as two of the top tablets currently in the 7-inch market segment, to see how they stack up.

The big upgrade this year is the 1920 x 1200 display panel, which translates into 323 pixels per inch when packed into a 7-inch display. That's significantly higher than the current iPad Mini, although Apple's tablet is slightly larger. That beefier display costs extra on the component side, which is what's driving up the price point by $30.

Apple needs to put a Retina display in the iPad Mini as soon as possible, which could potentially be as soon as this month. However, Apple has always been able to shy away from competing purely on specs, falling back on strength in other areas such as integration and its ecosystem.

In the following video, Eric Bleeker, CFA, and Evan Niu, CFA, compare Google's refreshed tablet to Apple's outgoing one.