IPad Air 2 and iPad Air: comparison and description

The tablet market has been quite clear lately. Due to the fact that a huge number of smartphones already surpassed these gadgets, manufacturers began to produce only special models. Someone was focusing on a special functional, someone was trying to bring the tablet closer to the PC, someone was creating an unprecedented design. Anyway, you can now purchase this device without problems, since everyone can find their device in a certain price category and with the necessary technical characteristics.

It happens that an excellent model appears on the market, but after a year the manufacturer releases the older modification. And the owners of the first device do not know if they should change their gadget for an updated one. So it was with Apple. Therefore, the comparison is carried out for the iPad Air 2 and iPad Air. To adequately assess the changes that have occurred with this tablet, we'll look at each one separately.

New generation

The appearance in 2013 of iPad Air marked the beginning of a new generation. It would seem that all the usual functions have remained in place, but the case has become "airy", and the "filling" is noticeably faster. The new model definitely looked better, worked and attracted a lot of attention to itself.

Improved new generation

A year later, the updated Apple iPad Air 2 came out . Comparing it with the previous model seems ungrateful, because at first glance, no updates are visible. But if the external tablets are really similar, the interior with the release of the second modification was all at times better.

External differences

With the release of iPad Air, changes in the previous line became visible. He became more strict, but retained the style, complemented by a silver edging and a black / white frame around the screen. In general, immediately began to notice similar features with the iPad mini, but the main advantage of the new tablet is its size.

Of course, not everyone needs such a large screen. But even if you compare the dimensions of the "air" tablet with the iPad, then the difference is enormous. Firstly, it has become thinner, and it is noticeable. Secondly, it became less extensive. Thirdly, the weight was reduced by almost 150 grams. And even if these numbers seem not all cardinally different, in life they are very noticeable.

But if you compare the iPad Air and iPad Air 2, then, as already mentioned earlier, the changes are not particularly noticeable. The fact is that the main transformation concerns only weight and thickness. At the time of release, the new iPad Air 2 was thinner by 1.4 mm, now the size of the side end is only 6.1 mm, which looks very attractive. But the weight also became less - 437 grams. There is even an opinion that changing the mass of the tablet has affected the comfort of using, now the back and hands are much less tired.

Color differences and details

Continuing the comparison of iPad Air and iPad Air 2, you need to pay attention to a few more external details. The first model of the new generation was supplied in two color variations: silver and dark gray. The new variant has received to two habitual colors also a newfangled golden one. Of course, increasing the choice of hull tone is just a positive marketing move. By the way, many owners of gold iPhones with pleasure have got to themselves in tone and a tablet from the "apple" manufacturer.

In appearance, the display orientation lock button has also changed. Now it is not at all, most likely, it disappeared in favor of the thickness of the shell. Now in its place a small hole in the microphone. The Home button has not changed in appearance, but it has additionally received a Touch ID, which, by the way, is needed not only for unlocking, but also for a purchase payment in the game store.

Screen

In the iPad Air 2 and iPad Air, the screen comparison would not seem to be necessary, since the external signs are invisible. The diagonal is 9.7 inches, the resolution is 2048x1536 pixels. But here's the second gadget has received a special touchscreen display, which was developed in tandem with the technology of lamination. The manufacturer has achieved that the interlayer between the glass and the matrix has disappeared. This is what helped make the device subtle.

Also, this technology has led to some illusion that the image seems to float above the tablet. The second version received an anti-reflective coating, which improves the visual effect even in the brightest light.

Technical equipment

Comparison of the iPad mini 2 - iPad Air in performance, in principle, nothing will. In both models, the processor is A7 on two cores with a frequency of 1300 MHz. For the graphics is responsible PowerVR version G6430. The operating memory of 1 GB, internal can be from 16 GB to 128 GB. You can safely say that the technical equipment is the same gadgets.

But things with the iPad Air 2 are a bit better. There is already the default OS eighth version. The processor is improved - A8X, which works on two cores with a frequency of 1.5 GHz. PowerVR also went head and shoulders - it's the GXA6850 - and it works on eight cores. RAM also became more - 2GB. Built-in to choose from 16 GB to 128 GB.

If you compare the iPad 4 and iPad Air 2, then the new model significantly exceeds the fourth generation. In iPad 4, the processor is slightly weaker - A6X with a frequency of 1.4 GHz. The graphics processor is under - PowerVR SGX 554MP4. RAM, as in the iPad Air, only 1 GB. By the way, the tablet does not support 128 GB memory cards.

Giant

You can also recall another model with which you can make another pair - it's iPad Air 2 and iPad Pro. Comparison of these tablets, though not entirely justified, but still they are "colleagues" in the shop, and therefore can be opposed to each other.

The first and obvious difference is the appearance. IPad Pro has a diagonal screen of 12.9 inches, which is almost comparable to some "apple" laptops. This giant also works on iOS 9.x. The processor here became a generation higher. The A9x is paired with M9 at 2.2 GHz. RAM in the pro-version as much as 4 GB, which is now very valuable. But all these improved qualities significantly increase the price tag.

Camera

Returning to the iPad Air 2 and iPad Air, the comparison should be continued, drawing attention to the camera. It has changed significantly in comparison with the older model. In the second version of the tablet, the main received 8 Mp, while the first version had only 5 Mp. Also, the new camera was equipped with a special technology with a sensor and improved optics, which significantly influenced the quality of the images.

There are also new functions like Slow Motion. Now slow-motion shooting is not surprising, but then it was an excellent addition to the new lens. As a result, all the innovations made the photos qualitative, with improved color reproduction, detailing, etc.

The front camera also added a little - instead of 0.3 Mp, it got 1.2 Mp. Of course, this option is not very good, especially for 2017.

Sound

With this characteristic, there were not very dramatic changes. The iPad of any generation has an excellent sound speaker. But the iPad Air 2 still became noticeably louder, it's now easy to watch movies and listen to music together. Externally, the dynamics have changed in the two models. The iPad Air had two speakers in two rows of holes, now, for the sake of a thin case, they made two gratings of stereo speakers on either side of the charger connector.

Autonomy

The volume of the battery has also changed. Again, because of the desire to make the body thinner, the battery of the second model received 7184 mAh. While the first model has 8827 mAh. As a result, continuous searches on the Internet, watching videos and listening to audio discharges iPad Air for 12-13 hours, and iPad Air 2 for 10 hours.

Let such changes and were not positive, yet Apple is almost the only one who managed to fit in a thin case such a powerful battery. In addition, the compromise between the autonomy and the weight of the gadget from the manufacturer turned out to be successful.

conclusions

Of course, now for the iPad Air 2 and iPad Air comparison is irrelevant, as both models on the market for more than two or three years. Nevertheless, there are still those who doubt the choice between these two tablets.

Then you should consider two situations: if you are the owner of the iPad Air or if you just decided to purchase a gadget from Apple. Immediately consider the second option. If you just decided to buy an "apple" tablet and choose between these models, then in the battle of iPad Air vs iPad Air 2 comparison is superfluous, the winner in any case is a newer device.

The explanation is simple: whatever one may say, the iPad Air 2 is much better than its predecessor. It is thinner, nicer, inside it has an updated processor and a new version of the graphics adapter. He got more RAM, as well as an improved camera. In general, he overtakes his older model in everything.

But if you are the owner of the iPad Air, then buying a second version can be meaningless. Of course, the changes are noticeable, but they are almost the same. It makes sense to look at newer devices. After the release of iPad Air 2 on the market already appeared iPad Pro, which we already talked about, as well as a compact iPad mini 4. And in 2016 presented a variation of the iPad Pro, but with a slightly smaller screen of 9.7 inches.

By the way, the latter model is now considered the most popular. It turned out a little bit different than the previous ones, not only in terms of technical characteristics, but also externally. In addition, this tablet received excellent technical characteristics, support for the proprietary stylus and Split View mode.