Apple Unveils the World’s Thinnest Tablet, The New iPad Air 2 [FULL DETAILS]

As expected, Apple has unveiled the new iPad Air 2 at a special media event held today in Cupertino. Apple’s newest full-sized tablet is 18% thinner than the previous generation iPad Air sporting an improved Retina display, a powerful 64-bit A8X processor, an M8 coprocessor that tracks motion and elevation, updated 8MP iSight camera, an improved FaceTime camera and Touch ID fingerprint sensor. Find our more after the jump.

DSC 0404

Slimmer Design and Improved Retina Display

The new iPad Air 2 is merely 6.1mm thick, which makes it 18% thinner than the iPad Air. Apple quoted during the keynote that two iPad Air 2s stacked up are thinner than the original iPad. The LCD, glass, and touch sensor are optically bonded now, which means there are no air gaps. While there’s an improved Retina display in the iPad Air 2, there’s also an anti-reflective coating on the glass, reducing reflections by 56%. The new iPad comes in space gray, silver and gold colour options.

DSC 0423

DSC 0421

A8X Processor

A8X is a whole new generation chip, according to Apple, which is significantly faster than the previous generation iPad. It features 2nd-generation 64-bit architecture, 3 billion transistors and 2.5x faster GPU. The iPad Air 2 has 180x the graphics performance of the original iPad, while offering the same great 10-hour battery life. It also packs the M8 coprocessor that tracks motion, elevation.

DSC 0432

DSC 0439

Updated iSight and FaceTime Cameras

Apple notes that the iPad is the best viewfinder for composing your photos and videos. The iPad Air 2 packs a new iSight camera with 8MP, 1.12 micron pixels, f2.4, and does 1080p HD video. It can take 43MP panoramas as well as a new burst mode for iPad. Slo-Mo and Time Lapse are also available on iPad Air 2. 

DSC 0450

DSC 0461

The FaceTime HD camera is also improved with all new sensor and advanced face detection. It has a larger f/2.2 aperture that allows 81% more light for improved FaceTime calls. It allows burst-selfies, single-shot HDR photos and HDR videos.

DSC 0492

DSC 0496

Touch ID and Faster Wireless

The iPad Air 2 comes with a Touch ID fingerprint sensor, just like the iPhone 5s and iPhone 6/6 Plus devices. It also support Apple Pay just like the iPhone. The device comes with 802.11AC with MIMO, meaning faster Wi-Fi. Also, the iPad Air 2 supports more bands for LTE than previous iPads.

DSC 0502

DSC 0500

Pricing and Availability

The iPad Air 2 with Wi-Fi models will be available for $499 (US) for the 16GB model, $599 (US) for the 64GB model and $699 (US) for the 128GB model. iPad Air 2 with Wi-Fi + Cellular models will be available for $629 (US) for the 16GB model, $729 (US) for the 64GB model and $829 (US) for the 128GB model (Canadian prices will be updated shortly).

The device will be available for pre-order on Friday, October 17th in 29 countries including US, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China (Wi-Fi models only), France, Germany and Hong Kong. 

DSC 0577

Update:

Here are the Canadian prices for iPad Air 2:

iPad Air 2 with Wi-Fi

  • $549 (CAD) for the 16GB model
  • $659 (CAD) for the 64GB model
  • $769 (CAD) for the 128GB model

iPad Air 2 with Wi-Fi + Cellular

  • $689 (CAD) for the 16GB model
  • $799 (CAD) for the 64GB model
  • $899 (CAD) for the 128GB model
P.S. - Like our news? Support the site with a coffee/beer. Or shop with our Amazon link. We use affiliate links when possible--thank you for supporting independent media.