The iPad Mini and iPad Air finally receive a refresh, well after almost 3 years. Such was the sheer neglect that these highly successful devices have faced, that the news of an update to the line-up only came out via a press release.
Both models are equipped with the A12 Bionic processor, same as the iPhone XS and iPad Pro models. The A12 chips are almost three times faster than the processor equipped in the older models of the iPad. Both devices also received Apple Pencil support which was introduced in the iPad Pro model.
The iPad Air features a bigger 10.5-inch display, while the iPad mini still retains the same 7.9-inch screen. The LCD screens of the new models received noticeable upgrades but still lacks Apple’s True Tone colour and support for the P3 colour system. Apple also opted to stick with the basic design with large bezels at the top and bottom of the screen.
The iPad Air and iPad Mini are now also compatible with Apple’s Smart Keyboard. The iPad mini still comes with a Touch ID fingerprint sensor, a Lightning port and a headphone jack. The iPad models also received upgrades to it’s cameras. The new cameras now feature improved low-light performance and advanced sensors for augmented reality experiences. Users can also expect enhanced performances and longer battery life with the mew models.
Both the devices come in at a very crucial time for Apple. The company has lost over $300Bn in market cap over the past few months as sales from China continue to dwindle. Also, with the launch of 5G enabled phones by the likes of Samsung and others, Apple is under tremendous pressure to bring back the ‘innovation’ factor in their devices. The company continues to fail in tapping emerging markets like India, where its rivals are continuing to tighten grip. These new iPads, when launched in India, could well be a run-away success looking at their price point and specs.
The new iPad Air and iPad mini are now available to order and will hit stores next week. The iPad Air starts at $499, and the iPad Mini starts at $399. Cellular network models will cost about $130 extra.
