For weeks, there had been several rumors going around about the next-generation iPad Air. Last October 16, Apple has finally released the iPad Air 2, its latest flagship tablet which boasted an even slimmer design, a new processor, and quite a few design features you’ll be looking forward to. So check out the new features of the new iPad Air 2:
Thinner and Lighter Build
With its display size still retained at 9.7-inch, the iPad Air 2 features some slight changes that make it thinner and lighter than its predecessor. The iPad Air 2 is only 6.1mm thick, which is 18 percent thinner than the original iPad Air. To make a visual representation of how slim it is, you can stack two iPad Air 2s on top of each other to make the width of the original iPad Air. And, of course, you need to know that it’s currently the thinnest tablet in the world.
The company has also announced that the new iPad Air 2 will come in new color options similar with the iPhone 5S — space gray, silver, and gold.
Anti-Reflective Display
The iPad Air 2 has a laminated screen, which optically bonded the LCD, glass, and touch sensor to eliminate air gaps. An anti-reflective coating has also been added to the iPad Air 2’s display, which makes it 56 percent less reflective compared to its original screen. This added feature makes it the least reflective tablet on the market today, as claimed by Apple.
Better Camera and Power
Also featured in the iPad Air 2 is Apple’s new 8MP iSight camera with a f/2.4 aperture plus 1080p video recording and 720p slo-mode video capabilities. The camera is capable of shooting 43mp panoramas and 1080p HD video. It has also been updated with other camera features such as Timelapse and Slo-Mo, which is good for taking slow-motion videos. The face time camera on the front is also a new addition, with a f/2.2 aperture to let in more light, with an HD resolution with HDR built in.
The iPad Air 2 contains Apple’s new A8X chip, which is created specifically for the tablet. It provides 40 percent faster CPU performance for apps and Apple claims that its graphics are 2.5 times faster. The newest processor is an updated version of the A8 chip found in iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. The A8X chip has a second-generation, 64-bit architecture with 3 billion transistors, which should improve the performance by 40 percent. Apple also claims the CPU will improve battery life, promising 10 hours of endurance. The A8X processor also has an M8 coprocessor that tracks motion and elevation. For better and faster Wi-Fi and LTE experience, Apple also added 802.11ac with MIMO. In fact, the iPad Air 2 supports 20 different LTE bands, more than any other tablet on the market, therefore it should be compatible with your network.
Apple Pay
Probably the most anticipated feature of iOS 8 when it was initially announced last September is the Apple Pay, and the iPad Air 2 supports this. Although the iPad Air won’t have the NFC technology that allows you to make contactless payments at participating retailers like what the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus has, the tablet version of this feature will still work for online purchases. Since it was announced, Apple has signed up more than 500 banks to participate in Apple Pay.
TouchID
Finally, the iPad Air 2 now has Apple users’ most requested feature in the ubiquitous steel ring around the tablet’s home button. The tablet’s TouchID works the same way as it works on the iPhone, enabling you to use TouchID in activating Apple Pay, but only for online purchases — not retail store purchases. And don’t forget, the feature will allow you to unlock the tablet as well.