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iPad Air 2 owners - thinking of 10.5?

I bought a 10.5 IPP a few weeks ago and returned it after about 4 days. I found that the IPP wasn’t enough better than my Air 2 and that the Logitech Bluetooth keyboard on the Air 2 is easier to type on than the ASK on the IPP. I use the iPad on the road to write, so the keyboard is important to me.

BTW, the Air 2 is updated to iOS 11 now and is running just fine.
 
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Love my Air 2. Only decided to purchase a 10.5 Pro to take advantage of the $499 Target price on the 10.5 64gb. My local Target stores were sold out so I went to Best Buy and the did the price match.

After a couple of days with the 10.5 pro, I am thinking about returning it. For my use (web browsing, youtube) just seems like too much power for my needs.

I am heavily leaning towards going back to my trusty Air 2.
 
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TorontoSS said:
Hi, there is a thread about pro 9.7 owners moving to a 10.5 but was wondering about the Air 2 owners.

Are you thinking of upgrading? Is your use just consumption and therefore you aren't? Do you think it's a decent upgrade?

My husband got the pro 9.7 last year and it never tempted me to upgrade (he upgraded from an air 1). But the 10.5 is tempting me more. I think currently I don't use the pro functions, I have a MacBook for computer needs. But given a pen and a 10.5 I may.

Would be good to know your thoughts!
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I upgraded to the 10.5 for Christmas this year. Best Buy had a sale during the holidays where you got $125 off on it and it was too tempting. I like the new iPad screen is brighter and a little easier to be productive.
 
Got my my new 256GB LTE 10.5 for Christmas and gave my 128GB LTE Air 2 to my daughter and we both couldn't be any happier (first iPad for my 34 year-old daughter). The 10.5 is definitely a step up, though not a huge one. I like the larger and brighter screen, the additional storage, and the better responsiveness of the 10.5 - this is one super device.
 
After two days with the 10.5 pro, it’s better than the Air 2 but not really that much. The screen is fantastic however. It’s my favorite part. I could see some people not being able to tell the difference but I’m a sucker for a great display.

The speakers are great but I don’t use them that much. Overall it’s a snappier device. Considering I got it for $499 at Target and sold my Air 2 for not much less than that.. there’s no way I’m returning it!
 
jaymay82 said:
Love my Air 2. Only decided to purchase a 10.5 Pro to take advantage of the $499 Target price on the 10.5 64gb. My local Target stores were sold out so I went to Best Buy and the did the price match.

After a couple of days with the 10.5 pro, I am thinking about returning it. For my use (web browsing, youtube) just seems like too much power for my needs.

I am heavily leaning towards going back to my trusty Air 2.
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After spending some more time today with both devices, I've made the decision to return the 10.5 Pro. Granted I got a great deal on it, I could not justify the upgrade simply because the Air 2 is plenty enough for what I use the iPad for, which is basically too basic for the pro.

Retina screen, thin and light, and can hold it with one hand without cramping. Ironically, the Pro has made me appreciate my Air 2 once again.

I'll put the money saved towards upgrading my 2007 Santa Rosa MBP (currently typing on), which by the way refuses to die and is still great at home as my main computer. 2018 quad core 13" MBP will finally get me to upgrade (maybe) lol.
 
Guys!
What do you think of this question at the end of 2018? Sell iPad Air 2, add $450 and buy Pro 10.5 or stay with Air 2? My using pattern is light: Safari, Youtube, NBA, NFL apps, light gaming. On iOS 12 it works great, but my Air 2’s potential is close to be exhausted with next iOS updates, I suppose.
What do you guys think?

UPD: don’t need a pencil or a keyboard.
 
Amorun said:
Guys!
What do you think of this question at the end of 2018? Sell iPad Air 2, add $450 and buy Pro 10.5 or stay with Air 2? My using pattern is light: Safari, Youtube, NBA, NFL apps, light gaming. On iOS 12 it works great, but my Air 2’s potential is close to be exhausted with next iOS updates, I suppose.
What do you guys think?

UPD: don’t need a pencil or a keyboard.
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Do it if you THINK you MAY want the Pencil and Smart Keyboard, the 10.5 is a great device. Since you said you didn’t for right now though, I’d stick with what you have or if you really want an update, pick up an iPad 6. The only real thing you might miss is the laminated display. I just picked up a 10.5 Pro but I’m actually also going to keep my Air 2 and get an out of warranty replacement (since it’s starting to kind of fall apart) so I can keep both. I wanted to replace it with an iPad 6 but apparently the new one won’t work with my old leather Smart Case which is half the reason I’m keeping it.
 
Silver Idaten said:
Do it if you THINK you MAY want the Pencil and Smart Keyboard, the 10.5 is a great device. Since you said you didn’t for right now though, I’d stick with what you have or if you really want an update, pick up an iPad 6. The only real thing you might miss is the laminated display. I just picked up a 10.5 Pro but I’m actually also going to keep my Air 2 and get an out of warranty replacement (since it’s starting to kind of fall apart) so I can keep both. I wanted to replace it with an iPad 6 but apparently the new one won’t work with my old leather Smart Case which is half the reason I’m keeping it.
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To tell the truth, I really appreciate thinnes and laminated display of iPad Air 2.
 
The A8X is going to be updated through iOS 13 at minimum, it has 2gb ram and performance is excellent with iOS12 so don’t be surprised if it’s has a couple more years left in it. When I update mine, I’ll definitely be going to the 10.5 pro especially since prices are much more reasonable now..
 
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BugeyeSTI said:
The A8X is going to be updated through iOS 13 at minimum, it has 2gb ram and performance is excellent with iOS12 so don’t be surprised if it’s has a couple more years left in it. When I update mine, I’ll definitely be going to the 10.5 pro especially since prices are much more reasonable now..
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Are you planning to update in about 1.5-2 years?
 
Amorun said:
Are you planning to update in about 1.5-2 years?
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I’m tempted to update now but my Air2 works so well it’s hard to justify.. I was thinking next Thanksgiving/Christmas... I’d most likely keep the Air2 or gift it because they aren’t worth a whole lot now, in a year or two much less.
 
BugeyeSTI said:
The A8X is going to be updated through iOS 13 at minimum, it has 2gb ram and performance is excellent with iOS12 so don’t be surprised if it’s has a couple more years left in it. When I update mine, I’ll definitely be going to the 10.5 pro especially since prices are much more reasonable now..
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Hence the reason why I’m doing a replacement of my Air 2 so I can keep it alongside my Pro. It has a lot of life left in it, just unfortunately mine is coming apart at the top and the button has started sticking. I have no problem keeping up with a still very capable device.
 
BugeyeSTI said:
I’m tempted to update now but my Air2 works so well it’s hard to justify.. I was thinking next Thanksgiving/Christmas...
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Yes, I understand... The same situation. Was thinking just about it would be easier to sell Air 2 now than in a year to invest in Pro 10.5. It's a pity iPads 2017 and 2018 are somewhat downgrades from Air 2 in terms of design and screen, so I'm forced to consider to pay extra for some iPad Pro features I don't really need.
 
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Amorun said:
Yes, I understand... The same situation. Was thinking just about it would be easier to sell Air 2 now than in a year to invest in Pro 10.5. It's a pity iPads 2017 and 2018 are somewhat downgrades from Air 2 in terms of design and screen, so I'm forced to consider to pay extra for some iPad Pro features I don't really need.
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I’m with you, I could care less about pencil support. I’ve messed with the 2017/2018 iPad and didn’t like the thick form factor and the screen is meh... I’m thinking Air2 wifi 128gb is worth probably $150 right now, I’ve seen the 10.5 pro 64gb wifi for $525 at Bestbuy (with $125 off special) so that leaves $375 which is not awful.
 
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I upgraded from the iPad Air 2 to the 10.5 I’m July last year. I’ve been very happy with the the 10.5 and it’s a good replacement for the air 2.
 
I had an Air 2, and had a 10.5" Pro for two weeks. Now have an 11" Pro. IMO the 10.5" is too expensive an upgrade for too little gain. The 11" is obviously even more expensive, but the display is better yet, FaceID works fantastically well, the bigger display is great, the Gen2 pencil is much better, and the 11" has at least a year or two more "future proofing" (which doesn't really exist with mobile tech).
 
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We traded in our 64 gig Air 2 at Apple and got $125 for it. Originally went with a 11" model, tried it out for a day. Immediately missed the split keyboard that the air 2 has. Also missed t the lightning jack for various reasons, one being one being able to use same cable to charge my Xr and my iPad rather than having to tote extra around when traveling. Also the wired headphones that came with my Xr also work with the 10.5 iPad, no adapter needed. So took the 11" back and went with the 10.5". Very happy so far with the 10.5
 
Act3 said:
We traded in our 64 gig Air 2 at Apple and got $125 for it. Originally went with a 11" model, tried it out for a day. Immediately missed the split keyboard that the air 2 has. Also missed t the lightning jack for various reasons, one being one being able to use same cable to charge my Xr and my iPad rather than having to tote extra around when traveling. Also the wired headphones that came with my Xr also work with the 10.5 iPad, no adapter needed. So took the 11" back and went with the 10.5". Very happy so far with the 10.5
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I have so many lightning cables now. About 5 in use in my house and then about 4/5 in boxes unused so I’d not want to switch to usb C either. I’ve a 61 W usb c to lightning fast charger that I use with both my Xs and 10.5 iPad Pro and although I have AirPods I also have 3 pairs of lightning headphones. I’ll be sticking with the 10.5 for a while I think.
 
we only had one iPad in the household (Air 2) which my younger daughter would primarily use. I decided that we could use another iPad and snagged a deal for 10.5 Pro. I never even looked at 11 as I didn't want to deal with USB-C port.
 
I just went from an Air 2 to the 10.5 iPP after finding a great in-store open box deal at Best Buy on a 256GB LTE that I couldn’t pass up.

It’s only been a couple of days, but I love the screen in terms of size, the smaller bezels, and the display itself, which is a big upgrade coming from an Air 2. There is also ProMotion. The A10X chip is no slouch. You double your RAM from 2GB to 4GB. I personally have been interested in using the Pencil because I am interested in a different user experience at this point. However, you don’t need it. I haven’t really tried the camera yet and my iPhone is my camera, so I probably won’t use the iPP camera much. The 4 speakers are nice, but I use a wireless speaker and headphones. If a person prefers Touch ID, the 10.5 is the obvious choice against the 11” Pro.
 
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