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Apple iPad Air 2 vs Apple iPad Air (3rd generation)

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

AppleiPad Air 2AppleiPad Air (3rd generation)
Overview
ReleasedOctober 2014March 2019
Display
Screen size9.7″10.5″
Resolution2048 × 15362224 × 1668
Sharpness264 pixels per inch265 pixels per inch
PanelLCDLCD
Brightness–500 nits
Display typeRetina; LED-backlit IPS LCDRetina; LED-backlit IPS LCD (IPS confirmed by Notebookcheck)
Pixel density264 ppi264 ppi
Display featuresFully laminated; anti-reflective coating; fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coatingP3 wide colour; True Tone; fully laminated; anti-reflective coating with 1.8% reflectivity; oleophobic coating
Performance
ChipA8XA12 Bionic
Memory2 GB3 GB
Storage16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB, 128 GB64 GB, 256 GB
CPU64-bit A8X; M8 motion coprocessor; 2 GB RAM confirmed by iFixit64-bit A12 Bionic; M12 motion coprocessor; 3 GB RAM confirmed by iFixit
AI engine–Neural Engine
Cameras
Rear camera8 MP8 MP
Ultra wide cameraNoneNone
Front camera1.2 MP7 MP
Rear cameraiSight; f/2.4 five-element lens; autofocus; backside illumination; hybrid IR filter; auto HDR; panorama up to 43 MP; burst; timer; auto image stabilisation; face detectionf/2.4 five-element lens; backside illumination; hybrid IR filter; autofocus; wide colour and Live Photos; HDR; panorama up to 43 MP; burst; timer; auto image stabilisation
Front cameraFaceTime HD; f/2.2; backside illumination; auto HDR; burst; timer; face detectionFaceTime HD; f/2.2; Retina Flash; wide colour capture; backside illumination; auto HDR; burst; timer
Video recordingRear 1080p at 30 fps; slow-motion at 120 fps; stabilised time-lapse; video stabilisation; 3x video zoom; front 720pRear 1080p; slow-motion at 240 fps; stabilised time-lapse; video stabilisation; 3x video zoom; front 1080p at 30 fps
Battery and connections
Battery life (maker's claim)Up to 10 hoursUp to 10 hours
Battery capacity27.3 Wh30.2 Wh
Mobile data optionYesYes
StylusNot supportedSupported, sold separately
Keyboard made for itNoYes
Battery life detailUp to 10 hours Wi-Fi browsing, video or music; nine hours cellular browsingUp to 10 hours Wi-Fi browsing, video or music; nine hours cellular browsing
ChargingPower adapter or USB computer chargingUSB power adapter or USB computer charging
USB-CLightning; 3.5 mm headphone jackLightning; 3.5 mm headphone jack; Smart Connector
Wi-FiDual-band 802.11a/b/g/n/ac; HT80 with MIMODual-band 802.11a/b/g/n/ac; HT80 with MIMO
BluetoothBluetooth 4.2 (current Apple UK specifications)Bluetooth 5.0
Mobile networkLTE, UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA, GSM/EDGE and CDMA EV-DO; nano-SIM with Apple SIM support; Wi-Fi calling; cellular model weighs 444 gGigabit-class LTE; nano-SIM with Apple SIM support and eSIM; cellular model weighs 464 g
Stylus supportNo Apple Pencil supportApple Pencil (1st generation), sold separately
KeyboardsNo Smart ConnectorSmart Keyboard, sold separately
Design
Weight437 g456 g
Thickness6.1 mm6.1 mm
Height × width240 × 169.5 mm250.6 × 174.1 mm
Operating systemiPadOSiPadOS
BiometricsTouch ID in Home buttonTouch ID in Home button
SpeakersBuilt-in stereo speakersStereo speakers
MicrophonesDual microphonesDual microphones
SensorsThree-axis gyro; accelerometer; barometer; ambient light; compass; iBeacon; assisted GPS and GLONASS on cellular modelThree-axis gyro; accelerometer; barometer; ambient light; compass; iBeacon; GPS and GNSS on cellular model
ColoursSilver, Gold, Space GreySilver, Gold, Space Grey
Software at launchiOS 8.1; orders opened 17 October 2014, with availability the following weekiOS 12; orders opened 18 March 2019, with shops receiving it the following week
In the boxiPad Air 2; Lightning to USB cable; USB power adapteriPad Air; Lightning to USB cable; USB power adapter

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