Everything We Know About the Upcoming iPad Air 2
It is said that the refreshed version Apple’s iPad Air is going to launch as soon as the end of this month. The rebooted version of the 2013’s hugely popular 9.7 inch tablet is tipped to feature the company’s new A8 system on chip and TouchID, and many other features which debuted with the iPhone 6.
According to reports, suppliers are gearing up to begin production of the next-generation iPad Air dubbed iPad Air 2 later this month.
Design and Hardware
Back in June, Ortud forum shared some images of the dummy unit claiming it’s not a working model but all the dimensions, design, ports and buttons will be in the exact same place. The dummy illustrated the change in the home button which seemed like the Touch ID style from iPhone 5S. All the buttons are in their normal place with the rocker on the side but the lock key on this model is missing. Another big change is a small microphone next to the rear camera.
It is said that the big changes will be on the inside; a new CPU, more RAM and the implementation of TouchID, as well as Apple’s new iOS 8 software will make up the share of USPs for Apple’s 2014 iPad Air. Apple has now launched the iPhone 6 with a next generation A8 processor on board and it is likely Apple will follow suit and use the same technology on the iPad Air 2. On the iPhone 6, the A8 chipset comes with a clock speed of 1.39GHz and on the iPhone 6 Plus it’s a little less powerful at 1.32GHz.
Display
Number of reports have claimed that Apple is adopting IGZO display technology in its next-gen iPad models. IGZO display panels are said to offer better viewing angles, improved colour reproduction, as well as being more power efficient than existing LCD setups. However, it is said that this may not happen because of the never ending production issues. According to Korea’s ETNews, “The reason for this is because Sharp is currently facing low yield issues which will not be dealt with in a timely manner”. For this reason, the report adds, Apple will wait until at least 2015 to debut iPads with IGZO panels, meaning we’re likely to see them implemented inside the iPad Air 3
Color Variants
According to Bloomberg, sources close to the production of the new iPad Air 2 suggest there will be a new colour option. Plans are in place to manufacture a gold version of the new 9.7-inch iPad as well as the usual grey and silver colour options. The publication’s sources claim it is in an effort to increase sales in the iPad market that is, as we know, been flagging recently.
Release Date
Apple has planned a major event on October 16th, and it seems like it would be the day the sleek tablet is unvieled. Last month, Bloomsberg reported that the production of the iPad Air 2 is now underway and Apple is looking to bring the slate to market in late-Q3, early-Q4. They said, “Mass production of a full-sized iPad with a 9.7-inch screen is already under way, with an unveiling projected for the end of this quarter or early next year. A new version of the 7.9-inch iPad Mini is also entering production and will probably be available by the end of the year.”
Earlier, it was believed that Apple might launch the iPad Air 2 alongside the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 Plus. This of course didn’t happen and Apple instead focused on handsets, mobile payments and wearables in the shape of the Apple Watch. With regards to a new iPad Air, nothing so far is known, apart from it being in production and tipped to launch before Christmas. The iPad Air launched in October last year and Apple, known for repeat launch dates, is expected to launch the new iPad Air during the same time frame.
