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Apple iPad Air 2 vs Apple iPad Air vs Apple iPad 4: specs comparison

posted by Peter K. / Oct 16, 2014, 2:01 PM

Apple iPad Air 2 vs Apple iPad Air vs Apple iPad 4: specs comparison

They might not have grown in size, but Apple's hot-out-of-the-oven new iPads are surely top notch when it comes to internal hardware prowess (compared to their predecessors, that is). Both tablets have been refreshed with an Apple A8X chipset, a custom version of the 64-bit Apple A8 SoC found inside the Apple iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, which is a first for Apple and cements the future-proofness of its brand new tablets.

Frankly said, the improvements are not many, but they are mostly spot on. As we said, they sport most of the bells and whistles that the latest two generations of iPhones had in store, such as the Touch ID fingerprint sensor under the home button, support for Apple's Pay on-the-move payment system, and several other novelties. Then again, are these improvements enough to deem the new iPad Air vastly superior to its predecessor? Or the new slate is nothing but a minor improvement over last year's Apple iPad Air?

We decided to pit the new iPad Air 2 against its prequel and see what's happening specs-wise. We've also thrown in the older Apple iPad 4 for a good measure as well.

Apple iPad Air 2 vs Apple iPad Air vs Apple iPad 4

Display

Display size

9.7 inches

Resolution

1536 x 2048 pixels

2048 x 1536 pixels

Pixel density

264 ppi

Technology

IPS LCD

Screen-to-body ratio

71.65 %

65.03 %

Camera

Rear

Single camera

Main camera

8 megapixels

5 megapixels

Hardware Features

Autofocus, Back-illuminated sensor (BSI)

Specifications

Aperture size: F2.4; Focal length: 31 mm

Aperture size: F2.4; Focal length: 33 mm

Aperture size: F2.4

Video recording

1920x1080 (Full HD) (30 fps), 1280x720 (HD) (120 fps)

1920x1080 (Full HD) (30 fps)

Recording format

H.264, MOV

Features

Time-lapse video, Digital image stabilization, Video calling

Digital image stabilization

Front

1.2 megapixels

Video capture

1280x720 (HD) (30 fps)

1280x720 (HD)

Design

Dimensions

9.45 x 6.67 x 0.24 inches (240 x 169.5 x 6.1 mm)

9.45 x 6.67 x 0.30 inches (240 x 169.5 x 7.5 mm)

9.50 x 7.31 x 0.37 inches (241.2 x 185.7 x 9.4 mm)

Weight

15.41 oz (437 g)

16.86 oz (478 g)

23.35 oz (662 g)

Materials

Back: Aluminum

Biometrics

Fingerprint (touch)

Hardware & Performance

System chip

Apple A8X

Apple A7

Apple A6X

Processor

Triple-core, 1500 MHz, Cyclone, 64-bit

Dual-core, 1400 MHz, Cyclone, 64-bit

Dual-core, 1400 MHz

GPU

PowerVR GXA6850

PowerVR G6430

PowerVR SGX554

RAM

2 GB LPDDR3

1 GB LPDDR3

1 GB

OS

iOS (12.x, 11.x, 10.x, 9.x, 8.x)

iOS (12.x, 11.x, 10.x, 9.x, 8.x, 7.x)

iOS (10.x, 9.x, 8.x, 7.x, 6.1, 6)

Battery

Capacity

7340 mAh

8820 mAh

Shopping information

MSRP price

$ 829

$ 929

$ 799

Apple iPad Air 2

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6 Comments

1. Droid_X_Doug

Posts: 5993; Member since: Dec 22, 2010

PA, your data sheet on the Air2 show A8 (not A8X) SoC. Need to update.

posted on Oct 16, 2014, 2:18 PM 0

2. Droid_X_Doug

One thing I have been wondering about - if you have a phone that supports LTE wireless hotspots, what is the compelling value proposition to having an LTE-equipped tablet (of any sort - Android or iOS)? This is not a flame post. Someone asked me that question, and I haven't been able to come up with a value proposition, so I am posting the question here.

posted on Oct 16, 2014, 2:24 PM 0

3. darkoman4

Posts: 183; Member since: May 30, 2014

For me for example, I am on TMobile, and as of yet, tMobile doesn't have LTE deployed everywhere. Choosing an iPad with Verizon LTE gives me coverage everywhere when traveling. And I can use it only for a month when I need it.

posted on Oct 16, 2014, 2:39 PM 0

5. rjparker1

Posts: 4; Member since: Aug 01, 2013

This is a great question. I tried to convince myself that a LTE was worth it, but it's not worth 100 more bucks, and a separate data connection charge. The only value I can see is that the LTE version of the iPad has a built in GPS. The WiFi version does not. So if you plan to use your iPad for maps or directions, that is about the only thing I can see. On the other hand you are NOT supposed to watch the iPad while driving :) so.... that is something to consider. I use my phone as a tether, it works out REALLY well, because when I have to give my daughter the iPad to play games, later when she is so involved and doesn't want to put it down, I just shut off the data connection.. But I really do NOT see ANY value in using a iPad w/ LTE...unless your phone cannot be used as a tether, otherwise a WiFi iPad is better, in my opinion, less hassle, less money and less complexity... everything goes through the phone. I keep both with me at all times any way.

posted on Oct 28, 2014, 8:19 AM 0

4. jaxson983

Posts: 43; Member since: Aug 11, 2013

So this still just a big phone right? Am I missing anything? $829 seems makes the Surface Pro 3 prices look spot on.

posted on Oct 16, 2014, 3:03 PM 0

6. rjparker1

The iPad is NOT a phone.. it's a TABLET, read much? 829 for a bloated Windows device that is STILL not instant on, uses more battery and is much heavier, not nearly as versatile.. that seems "spot on" to you? I think you need to pay better attention to the specs, bud.. you missed something.. like the ENTIRE article about iPad Air.