As you already know, the world of technology is all about upgrades, and Apple’s tablet lineup is no different. At opposite ends of the spectrum, there are two noteworthy devices: The Apple iPad Air 2 (released in 2014) and the Apple iPad Air 2024 11-inch Wi-Fi model, the former a classic, the latter a state-of-the-art tablet for today’s user. The main purpose of this comparison is to aid you in finding which device best meets your needs, here we compare their specifications, unique features, and usability.
Design and Display
With 9.7 inches of IPS display, 1536 x 2048 pixels, and an 80.9% screen-to-body ratio, the iPad Air 2 is functional but dated. The iPad Air 2024 presents itself as an 11-inch device with 1640 x 2360 pixels, enhanced True Tone technology, wide color gamut support, and a display peak brightness of 500 nits (resulting in a more visually immersed experience).
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Both iPads retain a thin 6.1mm thickness though the 2024 model is slightly heavier at 462 grams compared to the 437 grams of its predecessor. It has sleeker bezels and modern, Space Gray, Starlight, Purple, and Blue aesthetics, among other things.
Performance and Software
Powered with a 1.5 GHz single-core processor and 2GB RAM, the iPad Air 2 is good enough for some basic apps and web browsing. However, its A8X chip and out-of-date iOS 8.1 (the latest supported OS is iPadOS 15) means it is not well built for the time we are in (its forward compatibility with newer websites and apps is limited). Updating their browser codes has allowed users to access some sites and apps while problems have been reported about not being able to access some other sites and apps.
On the other hand, the iPad Air 2024 comes with an M2 chip with an octa-core CPU and 8GB of RAM for optimal multitasking and a handful of apps. It runs on the latest iPadOS 17.4, boasting Face Unlock, and Apple Pencil 2 support which makes for great performance.
Camera Capabilities
The rear camera of the iPad Air 2 uses an 8MP shooter with autofocus and provides basic photography features. One of its 1.2MP front cameras is now outdated for video calls and selfies. The iPad Air 2024 meanwhile boasts 12MP wide-angle rear and front cameras that can shoot 4K video. It is also good for photographing and video with Smart HDR 4 and panorama shots up to 63MP, much better than other popular phone cameras in the marketplace.
Connectivity and Audio
The iPad Air 2 has a 3.5mm headphone jack, as well as supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, 3G, and 4G LTE. With its USB-C v3.1 for a quicker data transfer the iPad Air 2024 is better than the iPad Air 2023 in terms of Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3. The new model, however, cuts the headphone jack in favor of modern wireless audio standards. Dually equipped with dual microphones and stereo speaker, both the tablets include landscape stereo speakers but, the 2024 version of this comes with an enhanced audio experience with the landscape stereo speakers.
Battery and Charging
Both models offer up to 10 hours of usage but the iPad Air 2024 supports fast charging which is a huge improvement over the older model. The battery capacity, which amounts to approximately 7819 mAh, is good enough despite today’s standards for providing good endurance on the iPad Air 2. Despite that, the newer model can charge via USB-C, which makes it an easier fit for contemporary accessories.
Storage Options
The iPad Air 2 only comes in a limited 16GB version without expandable memory, something most users may find so limiting today. This new 128GB storage on the iPad Air 2024 means that you will never run out of space for your apps, photos, and videos.
Pricing and Availability
The iPad Air 2 is no longer an available box pack because it is an old box pack now that its OS is no longer supported in the latest versions of the OS and it is also becoming less and less compatible with all the latest apps out there. The 11-inch 128GB iPad Air (2024) starts at $599 for the Wi-Fi-only model, but the iPad Air (2024) launches in the next few weeks at $699 for the same configuration. For the same 128GB of storage, you pay surprisingly more for the Wi+ Cellular model which starts at $749. The product page for the 13-inch Wi-Fi-only model starts at $799/128GB. Wi-Fi + Cellular starts at $949.
Verdict: Old vs New
The iPad Air 2 is nostalgic and is still capable of performing basic functions, but it is no longer practical for long-term use. The main challenge faced by the users is that Apps become obsolete and browser incompatibility. The iPad Air 2024 is the ideal choice for professionals and creatives who want modern features and those brilliant Apple Pencil 2 support, that delivers rusciant performance, better cameras more.
