X
CNET logo Why You Can Trust CNET

Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement

Hands-on with the new Apple iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3 (pictures)

Apple has introduced the iPad Air 2, purportedly the thinnest tablet ever, and a new iPad Mini 3.

Xiomara Blanco
Xiomara Blanco is an associate editor for CNET Reviews. She's a Bay Area native with a knack for tech that makes life easier and more enjoyable. So, don't expect her to review printers anytime soon.
Xiomara Blanco
apple-ipad-air-2-0445.jpg
1 of 19 James Martin/CNET

New year, new iPads

Apple appeases its fans with regular updates to its products, and flying in on the heels of the iPhone 6, the company released new models of the iPad Air and iPad Mini. Click through the slideshow to get to know the two new iPads better.

ipad-air-1-of-8.jpg
2 of 19 Tim Stevens/CNET

Meet the Apple iPad Air 2

The latest iPad Air is similar to its highly lauded predecessor, but with a few fresh, high-end features. One of the most notable new additions is Apple's Touch ID fingerprint sensor.

apple-ipad-air-2-0498.jpg
3 of 19 James Martin/CNET

Thinnest. iPad. Ever.

Apple had no qualms at calling the iPad Air 2 the slimmest tablet out there. How slim is it? Two iPad Air 2s stacked one atop the other equal the thickness of the first iPad.

apple-ipad-air-2-0453.jpg
4 of 19 James Martin/CNET

Retina returns

A redesigned display contributes to the Apple iPad Air 2's thinner construction. The screens on previous iPads were made of three separate components, and now the iPad Air 2 has fused them into one. Not only does this make the tablet thinner, the display itself produces richer images with deeper contrast and vivid colors.

apple-ipad-air-2-0519.jpg
5 of 19 James Martin/CNET

Signature aluminum casing

The high-end aesthetic of the iPad is due to its simple and streamlined design. The Apple slate will be available in gold, as well as the usual space gray and silver colors.

ipad-air-8-of-8.jpg
6 of 19 Tim Stevens/CNET

Lightweight design

The iPad Air 2 weighs 0.96-pound (437 grams), which, when considered along with its industry leading thinness, would definitely land it at the top of the thinnest and lightest tablets chart.

apple-ipad-air-2-0473.jpg
7 of 19 James Martin/CNET

Faster performance

Apple created the A8X processor specifically for the iPad Air 2. The new chip has a second-generation 64-bit architecture, houses 3 billion transistors, and compared to the iPhone 6's A8 chip, has a 40 percent faster CPU, while its GPU is 2.5 times faster.

 .

apple-ipad-air-2-0532.jpg
8 of 19 James Martin/CNET

Improved cameras

The rear 8-megapixel iSight camera boasts a new sensor to capture 3,264x2,448 resolution photos and 1080p HD video.

apple-ipad-air-2-0457.jpg
9 of 19 James Martin/CNET

New camera features

What use is a better camera without better camera features? The Air 2 is the first iPad capable of taking time-lapse video, rapid-fire photos (burst mode), and 120-fps slo-mo video. In addition, it can also adjust the exposure of a photo and take HD panoramic pictures.

apple-ipad-air-2-0448.jpg
10 of 19 James Martin/CNET

Is it the thinnest tablet?

Sony's Xperia Z2 tablet had been the thinnest slate on the block at a skinny 0.25-inch (6.35mm), but  now, the 0.24-inch (6.1 mm) Apple iPad Air 2 takes the crown.

It may be the slimmest, but weighing in at 0.96-pound (437g), the 0.82-pound (372g) Amazon Kindle Fire HDX 8.9 remains the lightest large slate in the game.

ipad-air-4-of-8.jpg
11 of 19 Tim Stevens/CNET

Anti-reflective coating

Most tablets rock highly-reflective screens that can be difficult to see outdoors, so Apple added an impressive anti-reflective coating to the iPad Air 2, which allegedly reduces glare by 56 percent.

apple-ipad-air-2-0480.jpg
12 of 19 James Martin/CNET

Apple iPad Air 2 availibility

Pre-orders for the Apple iPad Air 2 start Friday, October 17 and it will start shipping the following Friday, October 24.

apple-ipad-air-2-0534.jpg
13 of 19 James Martin/CNET

Apple iPad Air 2 pricing

Wi-Fi model pricing looks like this: $499 for 16GB; $599 for 64GB; and $699 for 128GB. Cellular models are more expensive, as you'd expect: $629 for 16GB; $729 for 64GB; and $829 for 128GB.

In the UK, it will cost £399 for the 16GB model, £479 for the 64GB model, and £559 for the 128GB model. If you want the 4G version, expect to pay £499 for the 16GB model, £579 for 64GB, and £659 for the 128GB model.

Australian availability and pricing have yet to be announced.

ipad-mini-4-of-9.jpg
14 of 19 Tim Stevens/CNET

Meet the new Apple iPad Mini 3

Apple quietly introduced the iPad Mini 3 after the iPad Air 2. To quote CNET Editor David Katzmaier, the upgrades seen on the new model are "mini-mal."

apple-ipad-mini-3-0412.jpg
15 of 19 James Martin/CNET

Now with Touch ID

The biggest addition to the iPad Mini 3 is the TouchID fingerprint sensor. The security feature lets you unlock the tablet with your fingerprint, as well make purchases using ApplePay.

apple-ipad-mini-3-0426.jpg
16 of 19 James Martin/CNET

Same depth, different name

Unlike the iPad Air 2, the iPad Mini 3 isn't any slimmer than its predecessor -- not that that's a bad thing. It's still a lightweight and petite tablet, sporting a 0.29-inch (7.5mm) thickness and 0.73-pound (331g) weight.

apple-ipad-mini-3-0417.jpg
17 of 19 James Martin/CNET

Retina display

Like the previous iPad Mini, the third iteration offers the super-crisp Retina display. Shipping with iOS8, Apple's latest operating system, you'll have access to all of your favorite apps right out of the box.

ipad-mini-7-of-9.jpg
18 of 19 Tim Stevens/CNET

Aluminum back

The iPad Mini 3 rocks the sleek aluminum body we expect from any Apple device. It will be available in space gray, silver, and gold.

apple-ipad-mini-3-0407.jpg
19 of 19 James Martin/CNET

Apple iPad Mini pricing and availability.

The Wi-Fi-only prices for the iPad Mini 3 are $399 (16GB), $499 (64GB) and $599 (128GB). Models with cellular capabilities have a $130 premium and start at $529 (16GB), $729 (64GB) and $629 (128GB).

In the UK, the iPad Mini 3 will cost £319 for the 16GB model, £399 for the 64GB model, and £479 for the 128GB version. iPad Mini 3 Wi-Fi plus 4G prices are £419 for the 16GB model, £499 for 64GB, and £579 for the 128GB model.

Australian availability and pricing have yet to be announced.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos