Apple’s original iPad Air was impressively thin, measuring just 7.5 mm thick, similar to the pencil that it was compared to in an array of advertisements. On October 16, 2014, Apple introduced the iPad Air 2, which is significantly thinner, at just 6.1 mm thick. According to Apple execs, it’s the thinnest tablet in the world, and it’s even thinner than both the iPhone 6 (6.9 mm) and the iPhone 6 Plus (7.1 mm).
Aside from a thinner body, the iPad Air 2 retains the same general design elements of the original iPad Air, but it has gained some impressive under-the-hood improvements. For one, the tablet now comes with the Touch ID fingerprint sensor first introduced in the iPhone 5s, and it also includes an upgraded A8X processor that’s even faster than the A8 in the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, and 2GB of RAM. There’s an M8 motion coprocessor as well, which pulls in data from the accelerometer, gyroscope, compass, and a new barometer.
Using a laminated gapless display let Apple shed bulk from the iPad Air 2 while also improving its screen, offering enhanced contrast and more vibrant colors. Apple also added an anti-reflective screen coating that cuts down on up to 56 percent of glare.
The iPad Air 2 has gained an 8-megapixel rear camera that includes an Apple-designed image signal processor, an f/2.4 aperture, and support for 1080p HD video. For the first time, the iPad can capture large panoramas up to 43 megapixels, it can capture 720p 120FPS Slo-mo video, it has time-lapse video capabilities, and it can take burst mode photos.
