Apple Upgrades the iPad Air and iPad mini

Posted on Oct 16th 2014

For those who have been waiting patiently for an update to the Apple iPad, you’re in luck! On October 16th Apple announced upgraded versions of the iPad mini and iPad Air models, dubbed the iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3, respectively. While the upgrades to the iPad mini were primarily cosmetic, the newest iPad Air houses an upgraded processer and more robust camera. Both models are also now available in a gold finish.

iPad Air 2: Thinner and Faster

The iPad Air 2 is a significant step above the iPad Air, with upgrades to the device’s exterior and interior specs. Size wise, the new iPad Air weighs less than a pound and is 18 percent thinner than the previous model, measuring in at 6.1mm thin.

Apple added the Touch ID fingerprint sensor to this model, which allows users to unlock the device with their thumbprint. The camera has also been updated, and users can now take 8 megapixel pictures instead of the iPad Air’s 5 megapixel resolution.

The display resolution remains unchanged in the iPad Air 2 at 264 pixels per inch, but Apple did add an antireflective coating to the display which we hope will make the device easier to see and use in sunlight.

Under the hood, the iPad Air 2 houses an upgraded processor which Apple calls the A8x. Apple claims that this upgrade will allow for 2.5 times faster graphics and 40% faster CPU than the iPad Air.

The iPad Air 2 is thinner, which means manufacturers are currently developing new cases for the updated model. We hope to have these in stock in the coming weeks. In the meantime, you can sign up to be notified when they are in stock by visiting the iPad Air 2 page and selecting the case you would like the purchase. All other accessories like chargers are forwards compatible and will work with the new iPad Air 2.

iPad mini 3: Touch ID Added

The latest iteration of Apple’s smaller tablet is basically the same as the iPad mini 2, with a couple nice cosmetic upgrades. Apple added the Touch ID fingerprint sensor that is found on the iPhone which allows users to unlock the device with their thumbprint and authorize some purchases. Because the iPad mini 3 has a nearly identical body style as the iPad mini 2, most cases for iPad mini 2 will also work with the new model. Cases like the otterbox Defender that obstruct the Touch ID fingerprint sensor on the home button will be updated, and we will have new versions of these cases as soon as they are made available by the manufacturer.