The new iPad Air 2 is improved in several areas, compared to last year's original iPad Air model. Pricing remains the same. Highlights include:
new processor
The A8X processor is up to 40% faster (Apple's figure), and more power efficient than the A7 in last year's iPad Air. The A8X has 2.5 times the graphics performance than the A7. The new processor is more efficient at using battery power, which allowed Apple to reduce the size of the battery by 15% while maintaining the same 10 hour runtime.
more RAM standard
The Air 2 now has 2 GB of RAM, up from 1 GB in all previous iPads.
more optional storage
The original Air offered the option of 32 GB if you needed to increase storage memory. The new Air 2 offers options of 64 GB and 128 GB. Memory upgrade to 64 GB costs the same as last year's 32 GB option.
Some argue that the standard 16 GB of storage memory is too low, making the upgrade to 64 GB almost mandatory. I have an older 16 GB iPad, and I do have to keep a close eye on my free memory. It's simple to offload photos or delete apps when I need more room.
improved camera
The rear-facing camera now has the same 8 megapixel sensor as the iPhone. Last year's Air had a 5 megapixel sensor. The new sensor, paired with the A8X processor, enables burst mode, 43 megabyte panoramas, slow motion video, time lapse video, and other modes that first appeared in the iPhone 6. The front-facing camera, used for Facetime video calls, has improved performance in low light situations.
new Touch ID sensor
Last year's iPad employed a traditional switch for the Home button. The new model uses Apple's fingerprint sensor to log you in. This allows the new iPad to participate in Apple Pay, Apple's more secure method of making credit and debit card payments. While the iPad can't be used like the new iPhone to pay at point of sale terminals (no NFC chip in the iPad), Apple Pay will make online purchasing more secure.
Apple SIM
Most iPads are purchased with WiFi data service only, but Apple does offer iPads that include a cellular modem. Previous iPad models employed a SIM card (subscriber identification module) provided by the cell phone company, and were locked to that provider's network. The phone companies were often reluctant to help you unlock your iPad so you could use it with another network while traveling. Once you arrived at your destination, you had to purchase a new SIM and contract.
The iPad Air 2 takes a different approach: the Apple SIM. This programmable ID allows you to choose from several carriers' short term data plans while traveling. For example, you may find that T-Mobile offers the best plan for you in San Francisco, while AT&T offers better coverage in rural Virginia.
At launch, the carriers who are participating in the Apple SIM plan are few: ATT, Sprint and T-Mobile in USA, and EE in the UK. Hopefully, other international carriers will joint the program. Verizon has declined to participate. So if you want an iPad Air 2 that works with Verizon's network, you have to buy from Verizon directly.
It will be very interesting to see how the cellular service providers respond. The Apple SIM could revolutionize the way cell phones are purchased and used. Apple might want to create its own cellular data network by becoming a MVNO (mobile virtual network operator), buying data service at wholesale prices from the carriers, and reselling to owners of iPads and iPhones. This service could be a blessing to international travelers. (emphasis on “could be”
The iPad Air 2 supports 20 different LTE data bands, more than other tablets by far. So if you're traveling, and LTE service is offered in your area, you should be able to connect at higher speed.
thinner and lighter
The height and width of the Air 2 is the same, but the thickness is only 6.1 mm. Weight has been reduced by 30 grams or so, to 435 g / just less than one lb.
less reflective screen
Apple has changed the way it manufactures the iPad screen. One benefit is lower reflectivity, making the screen easier to use in bright light environments (e.g., outdoors).
One thing that has not changed is the size and resolution of the screen. It remains the same 9.7 inches, 2048x1536 pixels, 264 pixels per inch.
same pricing
The Ipad Air 2 starts at $499 for a 16 GB WiFi-only model. Add $100 to move up to the model with 64 GB of storage. Add $129 to add a cellular data modem. These prices are the same as last year.
Edit: I forgot to add that the standard iPad still does not include GPS. If you want navigation features, you have to purchase the iPad with WiFi plus cellular modem, a $129 option.
new processor
The A8X processor is up to 40% faster (Apple's figure), and more power efficient than the A7 in last year's iPad Air. The A8X has 2.5 times the graphics performance than the A7. The new processor is more efficient at using battery power, which allowed Apple to reduce the size of the battery by 15% while maintaining the same 10 hour runtime.
more RAM standard
The Air 2 now has 2 GB of RAM, up from 1 GB in all previous iPads.
more optional storage
The original Air offered the option of 32 GB if you needed to increase storage memory. The new Air 2 offers options of 64 GB and 128 GB. Memory upgrade to 64 GB costs the same as last year's 32 GB option.
Some argue that the standard 16 GB of storage memory is too low, making the upgrade to 64 GB almost mandatory. I have an older 16 GB iPad, and I do have to keep a close eye on my free memory. It's simple to offload photos or delete apps when I need more room.
improved camera
The rear-facing camera now has the same 8 megapixel sensor as the iPhone. Last year's Air had a 5 megapixel sensor. The new sensor, paired with the A8X processor, enables burst mode, 43 megabyte panoramas, slow motion video, time lapse video, and other modes that first appeared in the iPhone 6. The front-facing camera, used for Facetime video calls, has improved performance in low light situations.
new Touch ID sensor
Last year's iPad employed a traditional switch for the Home button. The new model uses Apple's fingerprint sensor to log you in. This allows the new iPad to participate in Apple Pay, Apple's more secure method of making credit and debit card payments. While the iPad can't be used like the new iPhone to pay at point of sale terminals (no NFC chip in the iPad), Apple Pay will make online purchasing more secure.
Apple SIM
Most iPads are purchased with WiFi data service only, but Apple does offer iPads that include a cellular modem. Previous iPad models employed a SIM card (subscriber identification module) provided by the cell phone company, and were locked to that provider's network. The phone companies were often reluctant to help you unlock your iPad so you could use it with another network while traveling. Once you arrived at your destination, you had to purchase a new SIM and contract.
The iPad Air 2 takes a different approach: the Apple SIM. This programmable ID allows you to choose from several carriers' short term data plans while traveling. For example, you may find that T-Mobile offers the best plan for you in San Francisco, while AT&T offers better coverage in rural Virginia.
At launch, the carriers who are participating in the Apple SIM plan are few: ATT, Sprint and T-Mobile in USA, and EE in the UK. Hopefully, other international carriers will joint the program. Verizon has declined to participate. So if you want an iPad Air 2 that works with Verizon's network, you have to buy from Verizon directly.
It will be very interesting to see how the cellular service providers respond. The Apple SIM could revolutionize the way cell phones are purchased and used. Apple might want to create its own cellular data network by becoming a MVNO (mobile virtual network operator), buying data service at wholesale prices from the carriers, and reselling to owners of iPads and iPhones. This service could be a blessing to international travelers. (emphasis on “could be”
The iPad Air 2 supports 20 different LTE data bands, more than other tablets by far. So if you're traveling, and LTE service is offered in your area, you should be able to connect at higher speed.
thinner and lighter
The height and width of the Air 2 is the same, but the thickness is only 6.1 mm. Weight has been reduced by 30 grams or so, to 435 g / just less than one lb.
less reflective screen
Apple has changed the way it manufactures the iPad screen. One benefit is lower reflectivity, making the screen easier to use in bright light environments (e.g., outdoors).
One thing that has not changed is the size and resolution of the screen. It remains the same 9.7 inches, 2048x1536 pixels, 264 pixels per inch.
same pricing
The Ipad Air 2 starts at $499 for a 16 GB WiFi-only model. Add $100 to move up to the model with 64 GB of storage. Add $129 to add a cellular data modem. These prices are the same as last year.
Edit: I forgot to add that the standard iPad still does not include GPS. If you want navigation features, you have to purchase the iPad with WiFi plus cellular modem, a $129 option.
