Apple announces the release of the iPad Air and the iPad Mini 2

Apple has finally announced the release of their new iPad range including the iPad Air and the iPad Mini 2 with retina display. Here’s what you need to know:

iPad Air

The iPad Air is slimmer and sleeker looking device which is an impressive 43% thinner than the iPad 4 and only weighs 469g compared to the previous generation iPad weighing in at 643g.

Despite its size it has managed to pack in a 2048x1536pixel display and comes in two colours, silver/white and space grey/black. Unfortunate unlike the iPhone 5S, the iPad Air doesn’t come in Gold or include Touch ID, which many will be disappointed about. However the iPad Air does feature the same 64bit processor that the iPhone 5S does.  

The iPad Air has a smaller battery which has helped make the device even thinner but despite this Apple still promise the same 10 hour battery life.

The iPad Air will be released on the 1^st November (just in time for Christmas) and will start at £400 for the 16GB Wi-Fi model.

iPad Mini 2

The iPad Mini 2 is equal to the iPad Air in every way, with its 2048x1536pixel display and A7 64bit chip. This device won’t disappoint!

The rumours may not have been true about the new colours or even the Touch ID but the iPad Mini with Retina display will now be available in space grey and white/silver just like the iPad Air. The design hasn’t changed much from its predecessor and is exactly the same height and width but is a little thicker at 7.5mm compared to the current 7.2mm.

Apple claim the iPad Mini 2 to be the “world’s highest resolution tablet” and of course it blows the Nexus 7 screen out of the water.

The battery life is said to be 10 hours but with 3G/4G models it drops to nine hours batter life, which is still pretty impressive.

The iPad Mini 2 will start at £320 for the 16GB Wi-Fi model and for the 3G/4G model it’s an extra £100 (£420 for the 16GB). The original iPad Mini prices have dropped by £20 to £250 which is very disappointing.

We may have to wait a little longer for the iPad Mini 2, with an estimated release date of ‘late November’.