New iPad vs. iPad Air 2 Comparison

Apple today released a powerful yet affordable 9.7-inch tablet that it has dubbed, simply, iPad. While it has a new, simplified moniker, Apple’s new iPad is — for all intents and purposes — a replacement to the company’s previous iPad Air 2, which is no longer being sold. Both devices share similar specifications and internals with a few key differences.

New Chipset & Display

The iPad’s primary difference is its 64-bit A9 chipset — first seen in the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus models. That upgraded chipset does boast significantly superior power and performance over the iPad Air 2’s, older A8X processor. Its Retina display carries the same resolution but is brighter and more vivid than its predecessor. It’s worth noting, however, that the new iPad’s display reportedly does not have an anti-reflective coating, and isn’t laminated to the cover glass like the iPad Air 2, an Apple representative told The Verge.

Size Difference

In terms of size, the new iPad is a bit bulkier and heavier than the iPad Air 2 — which is a bit disappointing. Whereas the Air 2 was slim and lightweight at 6.1mm thick and clocking in at around 0.96 pounds, the new iPad measures 7.5 mm, and is just over a pound. That’s roughly a 20 percent increase in thickness, which is subtle but definitely noticeable in the hind. On the other hand, the new iPad is only 0.07 pounds heavier. Put simply, you’ll probably notice the difference in bulk, but not in weight.

Cameras

The iPad will carry the same cameras that the iPad Air 2 did, namely an 8-megapixel, rear-mounted iSight camera and a 1.2-megapixel front camera — the latter of which is still capable of making 720p HD video calls despite its relatively low megapixel rating.

Storage, Connectivity & Color Options

As far as different storage, connectivity and color options, the iPad will be offered in basically the same configurations as the iPad Air 2. The iPad is available in either 32-gigabyte or 128-gigabyte versions, and users can choose between Wi-Fi only or Wi-Fi + Cellular connectivity options. As far as color goes, the new iPad will also be available in Silver, Gold or Space Gray — Rose Gold, notably, is only available for iPad Pro models.

Price Point

Perhaps the biggest difference between the iPad and the iPad Air 2 is the price — Apple has set it pretty aggressively low. A 32GB, Wi-Fi Only model will start at $329, a full $70 cheaper than the lowest-priced iPad Air 2 model. That makes it the company’s lowest-priced, full-scale iPad ever. To allow for that low of a price, the new iPad’s internals are a bit older than, say, the iPad Pro, but they’re certainly still powerful enough to tackle most tasks.

For a relatively up-to-date device that carries some performance bumps over its more expensive predecessor, that’s a pretty amazing price point — and it should allow Apple’s entry-level tablet to be more accessible to a wider audience.