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Will Apple really skip updating the iPad Air 2?

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pika2000

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Jun 22, 2007
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I used to have the regular size iPad (every generation from the original to the 4th gen), but switched to the more portable iPad mini 2. Have not bought any newer iPads since then.

iOS 9 showed me that the iPad is now more usable in a desktop-like situation, and now I'm thinking of getting the regular size iPad again. However, Apple only announced the larger iPad Pro and didn't update the iPad Air 2.

My dilemma:
1. Get iPad Air 2 now. It is available refurbished, and I know Apple's refurbished is pretty much like new. So this is a great value. However, I have the iPhone 6S, and the A9 is sickeningly fast that I don't want to be at one generation behind from the start.

2. Wait and get for the iPad Pro. Its larger size will make it more useful in certain situation, at the cost of portability. And it is more expensive. But at least it is sporting the latest SoC.

3. Wait for the imaginary iPad Air 3.
Apple introduced the iPad Air 2 in October of last year. So there might still be a possibility of updating it to the A9 series chip. But this is just my imagination.

4. Wait next year and see what happen.
How will Apple use the A10? Will it be only for iPad Pro 2, and iPad Air 3 getting A9? Will the iPad Air lineup be 1 gen behind all the time?

I can kinda understand having the mini to be 1 gen behind (not cool, but I guess Apple has to segment its product). However, it is strange to have an a regular sized iPad that is behind the iPhone, SoC wise. I'm not in a hurry to get one, but if Apple's strategy is to have the iPad Air one gen behind the iPad Pro, it will be annoying moving forward.
 
I am under the same dilemma. iPad Air 2 is a great device. However I am pretty confident that Apple will release the next iPad Air by first quarter of next year.

The same thing happened with iPad 3. I buy three was launched in October and iPad for was launched in March Of following year. Hence, I feel that the new iPad will launch in March of next year. Given the variety of products Apple is dealing with, it can be challenging for both supply chain perspective and consumer buying perspective to Jam it all in one quarter.


If you really don't need to update the device Right now that I'd wait. iPad mini two is still very usable.
 
Well you are kind of right. The new iPad pro will release around march I'd assume.
 
laudern said:
Well you are kind of right. The new iPad pro will release around march I'd assume.
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The iPad Pro comes out next month. Where did you get March from?

Back to subject... Apple not announcing any October keynote indicates that it will likely be next year that the Mid-Sized iPad gets refreshed... and I doubt they will hold a keynote in November either.


Kal.
 
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The Mini 2 is not at all a bad iPad - I have still got one. How badly do you feel like you need, or want, to replace it? You could do worse than wait (speaking as one who's not particularly good at waiting ;) ).
 
newellj said:
The Mini 2 is not at all a bad iPad - I have still got one. How badly do you feel like you need, or want, to replace it? You could do worse than wait (speaking as one who's not particularly good at waiting ;) ).
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Yes, my mini 2 is great. Actually, I have no intention to replace it. I will still use my mini 2, but I want a larger iPad for more serious work. The mini 2 is great for light activities on the go, but after looking at iOS9, I am actually thinking of having a larger iPad that I can comfortably use to edit documents and things where my laptop is not around. So it will be an additional device.

Thing is, it's kinda hard to buy a new device knowing that is is already 1 generation behind internally (iPad Air 2). The A9 on my iPhone 6S really screams and it is fast.

I guess I'll wait. I was thinking of the iPad Pro, but I have to look at it and justify its size and price. Ideally, I would like an iPad Air 3 with updated SoC and support for the Apple pencil.
 
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In my opinion, the iPad Air will never have the latest AX-chip now that there is an iPad Pro. That's not necessarily a bad thing, as the A9X next year would still be killer, just as the A8X is still a beast today.

I don't see an iPad Air 3 release next Spring because that would mean it would "catch-up" to the iPad Pro, and I would think Apple would not want that. That being said, an iPad Air 2 (in my opinion) is only worth it at $399 or less, since you could have gotten one a year ago for the same $499.
 
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pika2000 said:
Yes, my mini 2 is great. Actually, I have no intention to replace it. I will still use my mini 2, but I want a larger iPad for more serious work. The mini 2 is great for light activities on the go, but after looking at iOS9, I am actually thinking of having a larger iPad that I can comfortably use to edit documents and things where my laptop is not around. So it will be an additional device.

Thing is, it's kinda hard to buy a new device knowing that is is already 1 generation behind internally (iPad Air 2). The A9 on my iPhone 6S really screams and it is fast.

I guess I'll wait. I was thinking of the iPad Pro, but I have to look at it and justify its size and price. Ideally, I would like an iPad Air 3 with updated SoC and support for the Apple pencil.
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At this point in time I would recommend waiting. Absent any killer deals like last month's deals at Staples, with each month that goes by the reasons to get an Air 2 decrease.

The Air 2 is a beast of a tablet... and with the split-window capabilities of iOS 9, it really shines... so if by chance another killer deal arises, then that would be the time to get one.
 
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I would just hold off to see where Apple would go with the iPad line in 2016. This year's iPad updates has changed the relatively predictable trajectory Apple had setup for the past 3 years of iPad updates. If you really need to get an iPad Air 2; I wouldn't pay top dollar today for last year's hardware. Look for some holiday season deals or a refurb.
 
If you're really that concerned about getting an older model, just grab the Pro. It's really not that much bigger.

Like I said, I think the Air 2 is like the iPad 2 and will be relevant for many years.
 
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I have a 6S and a Air 2 and while the 6s might be a tad bit quicker, for the most part the speed difference is negligible. I think the iPad Pro is priced a little higher than it should be, or perhaps from another viewpoint, the Air 2 is really a great deal.
 
I will wait it out I've used the Samsung Note Pro 12 inch tablet and that made me realise that that sized screen really isn't great as a tablet.

I draw so would really like a 9.7 inch device with a pen and 3D touch. That combination along with pro-create would be sublime.

One thing I'd like Apple to address is battery life. When the original iPad came out one of its differentiators was its astounding battery life, far surpassing notebooks. Nowadays most notebooks have greatly improved and some even surpass the iPad Air 2. My Macbook Air gets 13 hours. To me it has lost that key advantage.
 
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I'm personally tempted to go with option 3, but anyone knows when apple 'announces keynotes.?' Don't want to be buying the Air 2 now and seeing the Air 3 out in october/November (maybe to target christmas.?)
 
I'm in the same situation. I currently have an iPad Air running iOS 9 but jeez I used an Air 2 at the Apple Store also running iOS 9 and that still flies similar to the iPhone 6s.

Personally I think I'll be waiting until an Air 3 arises but like everyone, I don't know when that'll be and if it'll have older specs by the time it is released.
 
I had an Air 32gb and got the 64gb Air 2 a couple of weeks ago and don't regret the purchase one bit.

Now the Pro is a thing, I don't think the 9.7" version will ever be on par with it. And nor should it given the specs that the Pro runs.

But I fully expect that the Air 3 will receive the 9x chip and the Pro 2 will get the 10x next October.
 
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If you live in the US you may be seriously tempted by black friday deals. Staples $150 off may be blown away on black friday... It's the mini 4 that's a bad deal right now as it feels a bit slower than my 6S/ipad air 2 and it's priced higher than when the Air 2 is on sale.

...And seeing how Apple is now treating iPad upgrades in 2 year increments, I agree with the above posters that the next update won't be until Fall 2016 as Apple is all about the iPad Pro right now and wouldn't want to upend the hierarchy with the Pro on top. Look how they did the Mini 4... Apple could've easily dropped in the A9 and given the Mini 4 an edge on the Air 2, but they decided not to.
 
sracer said:
At this point in time I would recommend waiting. Absent any killer deals like last month's deals at Staples, with each month that goes by the reasons to get an Air 2 decrease.

The Air 2 is a beast of a tablet... and with the split-window capabilities of iOS 9, it really shines... so if by chance another killer deal arises, then that would be the time to get one.
Click to expand...


How? It's value is still there considering spec wise it is basically on the same level as the iPhone 6s and 6s plus. The 6s uses a dual core cpu clocked at 2.2 GHZ and 2gb of ram. The iPad air 2 is a triple core cpu at 1.5 GHZ and 2gb of ram. While clock speed is slightly lower clock speed for iOS isn't really a huge deal. This thing runs just as good as this year's phone i
 
wesley8631 said:
I'm personally tempted to go with option 3, but anyone knows when apple 'announces keynotes.?' Don't want to be buying the Air 2 now and seeing the Air 3 out in october/November (maybe to target christmas.?)
Click to expand...


I can 99.99% guarantee there isn't another keynote this year involving iPad's Considering A) they announced new iPad's in September and B) they would if announced one already
 
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Sparky2012 said:
Might just silently release a new Air 3 at some point early 2016?
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Giving it's apple I highly doubt it. We won't see another one until September perhaps October 2016. They want to have the mini, Air and pro to each have different types specs so we will have to wait for this cycle to start. The iPad Air 3 will have the A9x or perhaps a beefed up A9 chip along with 3D touch and live photos. Maybe add the wacom digitizer onto it but I think they'll keep it for the pro. In 2017 the mini will be similar to the Air 3



Personally the only way I'll upgrade to the Air 3 is if they add the wacom like digitizer
 
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Closingracer said:
How? It's value is still there considering spec wise it is basically on the same level as the iPhone 6s and 6s plus. The 6s uses a dual core cpu clocked at 2.2 GHZ and 2gb of ram. The iPad air 2 is a triple core cpu at 1.5 GHZ and 2gb of ram. While clock speed is slightly lower clock speed for iOS isn't really a huge deal. This thing runs just as good as this year's phone i
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How? How what? :confused:
That "with each month that goes by the reasons to get an Air 2 decrease."? If you think that buying an Air 2 6 months from now at the same price is every bit as wise as buying one now then I don't know what to say other than to say I disagree.
 
sracer said:
How? How what? :confused:
That "with each month that goes by the reasons to get an Air 2 decrease."? If you think that buying an Air 2 6 months from now at the same price is every bit as wise as buying one now then I don't know what to say other than to say I disagree.
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It's however you determine the value to be.... The average Joe might not care when or if the new version comes out and wants an iPad.... Heck I bought my iPhone 6 Plus back in March knowing there would be new ones in a few months and. You can argue in December 2014 why buy the Air 2 because the Air 3 is going to come out in 10 months....obviously it didn't but still
 
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