In the tablet market lately, everything is quite clear. Due to the fact that a huge number of smartphones have already surpassed these gadgets, manufacturers began to produce only special models. Someone focused on special functionality, someone tried to bring the tablet closer to the PC, someone created an unprecedented design. One way or another, you can now purchase this device without any problems, since everyone can find their own device in a certain price category and with the necessary technical characteristics.
It happens that a great model appears on the market, but a year later the manufacturer releases an older version. And the owners of the first device do not know whether they should change their gadget to an updated one. It was the same with Apple. Therefore, a comparison is made for iPad Air 2 and iPad Air. In order to adequately assess the changes that have occurred with this tablet, we will consider each separately.
New generation
The arrival of the iPad Air in 2013 marked the beginning of a new generation. It would seem that all the usual functions have remained in place, but the case has become “airier”, and the “stuffing” is noticeably faster. The new model definitely looks better, performs better and gets a lot of attention.
Improved new generation
A year later, the updated Apple iPad Air 2 was released. Comparing it with the previous model seems to be a thankless task, because at first glance no updates are noticeable. But if outwardly the tablets are really similar, inside with the release of the second modification everything has become much better.
External differences
With the release of the iPad Air, changes with the previous line have become noticeable. It has become more strict, but retains the style, complemented by a silver edging and a black / white frame around the screen. In general, similar features with the iPad mini immediately became noticeable, but the main advantage of the new tablet was its size.
Of course, not everyone needs such a large screen. But even if we compare the dimensions of the “airy” tablet with the iPad, then the difference is colossal. Firstly, it has become thinner, and it is noticeable. Secondly, it has become less wide. Thirdly, the weight has become less by almost 150 grams. And even if these figures may not seem radically different to everyone, they are very noticeable in life.
But if we compare the iPad Air and iPad Air 2, then, as 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 brand new iPad Air 2 has become thinner by 1.4 mm, now the size of the side end is only 6.1 mm, which looks very attractive. Well, the weight also became less - 437 grams. There is even an opinion that changing the mass of the tablet has affected the comfort of use, now the back is much less tiredand hands.
Color differences and details
Continuing the comparison between iPad Air and iPad Air 2, there are a few more external details to take into account. The first model of the new generation was supplied in two color variations: silver and dark gray. The new version received a new-fangled golden one in addition to the two familiar colors. Of course, increasing the choice of body shade is just a positive marketing ploy. By the way, many owners of golden iPhones gladly bought a tablet from the "apple" manufacturer to match their tone.
The display orientation lock button has also changed in appearance. Now it is not there at all, most likely, it has disappeared for the sake of the thickness of the case. Now in its place is a small microphone hole. The "Home" key has not changed outwardly, but received an additional Touch ID, which, by the way, in "apple" devices is needed not only to unlock, but also to pay for purchases in the game store.
Screen
In the iPad Air 2 and iPad Air, it would seem that screen comparison is not necessary, since external signs are invisible. The diagonal here is 9.7 inches, the resolution is 2048x1536 pixels. But the second gadget received a special touch screen, which was developed in tandem with lamination technology. The manufacturer has ensured that the layer between the glass and the matrix has disappeared. This is what helped make the device thin.
Also, this technology has led to some kind of illusion that the image seems to hover over the tablet. The second version received an anti-reflective coating that improvesvisual effect even in the brightest light.
Technical equipment
Comparison iPad mini 2 - iPad Air in performance, in principle, will not work. In both models, the processor is A7 on two cores with a frequency of 1300 MHz. The PowerVR version of the G6430 is responsible for the graphics. RAM 1 GB, internal can be from 16 GB to 128 GB. We can safely say that these are the same gadgets in terms of technical equipment.
But things are a little better with the iPad Air 2. Here, by default, the OS is the eighth version. The processor is improved - A8X, which runs on two cores with a frequency of 1.5 GHz. PowerVR is also head and shoulders above the GXA6850 and runs on eight cores. RAM has also become more - 2GB. Built-in to choose from can be from 16 GB to 128 GB.
If we take a comparison of the iPad 4 and iPad Air 2, then the new model is significantly superior to the fourth generation. The iPad 4 has a slightly weaker processor - A6X with a frequency of 1.4 GHz. The graphics processor is younger - 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 remember another model with which you can make another pair - this is the iPad Air 2 and iPad Pro. Comparison of these tablets, though not entirely justified, but still they are "brothers" in the shop, and therefore can be opposed to each other.
The first and obvious difference is the look. The iPad Pro has a screen size of 12.9 inches, which is almost comparable to someapple laptops. This giant also works on iOS 9.x. The processor here has become a generation higher. The A9x is paired with the M9 at 2.2 GHz. The RAM in the pro version is as much as 4 GB, which is now very valuable. But all these upgraded features increase the price tag significantly.
Camera
Going back to the iPad Air 2 and iPad Air, the comparison is worth continuing with a focus on the camera. It has changed significantly compared to the older model. In the second version of the tablet, the main one received 8 megapixels, while the first modification had only 5 megapixels. Also, the new camera was equipped with a special technology with a sensor and improved optics, which significantly affected the quality of the pictures.
There are also new functions like Slow Motion. Now you will not surprise anyone with slow motion, but then it was a great addition to the new lens. As a result, all the innovations have made photos of high quality, with improved color reproduction, detail, etc.
The front camera also added a little - instead of 0.3 MP, it received 1.2 MP. Of course, this option is not entirely good, especially for 2017.
Sound
This characteristic has not changed much. iPad of any generation has a great audio speaker. But the iPad Air 2 is noticeably louder, making it easy to watch movies and listen to music together. Externally, the dynamics have changed in two models. The iPad Air had two speakers in two rows of holes, but now, for the sake of a thin body, they made two stereo speaker grilles on both sides of the connector forcharger.
Autonomy
The capacity of the battery has also changed. Again, due to the desire to make the case 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 the iPad Air in 12-13 hours, and the iPad Air 2 in 10 hours.
Although such changes were not positive, Apple is almost the only one who managed to fit such a powerful battery into a thin body. In addition, the manufacturer turned out to be a good compromise between the autonomy and weight of the gadget.
Conclusions
Of course, now for iPad Air 2 and iPad Air comparison is irrelevant, since both models have been 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 decide to purchase a gadget from Apple. Let's take a look at the second option. If you have just decided to purchase 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 the newer device.
The explanation for this is simple: whatever one may say, but iPad Air 2 is much better than its predecessor. It is thinner, prettier, inside it has an updated processor and a new version of the graphics adapter. It got more RAM as well as improvedcamera. In general, he surpasses his older model in everything.
But if you are the owner of the iPad Air, then buying the second version may be pointless. Of course, although the changes are noticeable, they are almost the same models. It makes sense to look at newer devices. After all, after the release of the iPad Air 2, the iPad Pro, which we already talked about, as well as the compact iPad mini 4, already appeared on the market. And in 2016, a variation of the iPad Pro was introduced, but with a slightly smaller screen of 9.7 inches.
By the way, the latest model is now considered the most popular. It turned out to be a little different than the previous ones, not only in terms of technical characteristics, but also externally. In addition, this tablet received excellent technical specifications, support for a proprietary stylus and Split View mode.
