The New iPad Air 2 Is Crazy Thin

By Nicole Nguyen

Updated on 10/16/2014 at 2:00 PM

Apple
Apple

This is the iPad Air 2, which Apple claims is the world's thinnest tablet. As the rumors predicted, this iPad is the sleekest yet — thinner than a pencil! The slim screen is antireflective, like a Kindle. Other notable new features are a fingerprint-sensing Touch ID home button and a FaceTime camera that lets in 81 percent more light. It's also available in a new color: gold!

In terms of design, the tablet's hardware essentially looks the same, but it's clear that there are some significant hardware changes and a much better camera. Preorders start tomorrow, Oct. 17, and the tablets ship next week.

  • WiFi-only price: 16GB $499; 64GB $599; 128GB $829
  • WiFi + Cellular price: 16GB $629; 64GB $729; 128GB $829
  • 9.7-inch display at 2048 x 1536 resolution and 264 ppi
  • .96 pounds (WiFi); .98 pounds (cellular)
  • 6.1 mm thin
  • 18 percent thinner
  • Improved retina display
  • 10-hour battery life
  • 8MP iSight Camera with f/2.4 aperture; 1080p HD video now with slo-mo capture; Timelapse; Burst Mode
  • New FaceTime HD camera that lets in 81 percent more light; Burst selfies; improved face detection
  • A8X processor
  • Second-generation 64-bit architecture processor with 3 billion transistors
  • 12x faster than the original iPad
  • 180x faster graphics than the original iPad
  • Reduced internal reflection; lowest reflectivity of any tablet in sunlight
  • Fingerprint-sensing Touch ID
  • New gold option
  • Faster WiFi; 2.8x faster performance
  • 20 LTE bands to connect with more networks around the world
  • Ships with iOS 8.1