iPad air preview: Hands on, release date, price
The new iPad Air is a hugely slimmed down version of Apple's class-leading tablet and it also packs the A7 processor.
Also read : Samsung Galaxy s5 to have an eye scanning sensor
iPad Air: Size and build
Launched alongside the new iPad Mini Retina, the iPad Air is much thinner and lighter than it's predecessor at it's noticeable the first time you pick up the iPad Air. It certainly lives up to its moniker. At 7.5mm thin, 169.5mm wide and 240mm long and weighing just 469g, it's positively lightweight compared to the 662g heft of the iPad 4 and iPad 3 that both came with a thickness of 9.4mm.
It also beats all of it's competitors. It trumps, the newly announced, Nokia 2520 at 8.7mm, the Nexus 10 at 8.9mm thin and the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 at 8.6mm thin.
Colours have been updated too but don't expect an iPhone 5c rainbow, instead Apple introduced Space Grey and Champagne into the mix.
In terms of external buttons and ports, it's business as usual. You'll find a lightning port, volume rocker, on/off button and a screen lock switch.
It also beats all of it's competitors. It trumps, the newly announced, Nokia 2520 at 8.7mm, the Nexus 10 at 8.9mm thin and the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 at 8.6mm thin.
Colours have been updated too but don't expect an iPhone 5c rainbow, instead Apple introduced Space Grey and Champagne into the mix.
In terms of external buttons and ports, it's business as usual. You'll find a lightning port, volume rocker, on/off button and a screen lock switch.
iPad Air: Features
It's go big or go home when it comes to the new features packed into the iPad Air. Alas, there's no Touch ID fingerprint scanning, as on the iPhone 5s so no biometrics on the big screen but there's still plenty to talk about.
When it comes to cameras on tablets, Apple has always been a bit behind it's competitors but it's all change on the new iPad. It's true the iPad has always had the same megapixel count as the Nexus 10 and beat the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 but picture quality was never great.
When it comes to cameras on tablets, Apple has always been a bit behind it's competitors but it's all change on the new iPad. It's true the iPad has always had the same megapixel count as the Nexus 10 and beat the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 but picture quality was never great.
Although it doesn't add megapixels, remaining at five, the picture quality is better. The front-facing video cam has also been updated to the new HD FaceTime camera found on the new iPhone 5c and 5s.
During our short play with the tablet the pictures were noticeably crisper than those taken on an iPad 3 and a world-apart from those taken on an iPad 2. We're still unconvinced as to whether a tablet should be a picture taking device but if your tablets your snapper of choice then the new iPad Air will certainly do the job.
During our short play with the tablet the pictures were noticeably crisper than those taken on an iPad 3 and a world-apart from those taken on an iPad 2. We're still unconvinced as to whether a tablet should be a picture taking device but if your tablets your snapper of choice then the new iPad Air will certainly do the job.
iPad Air: Performance
The chip has been upgraded from the A6X to the A7 with the same 64-bit architecture of the iPhone 5s. The iPhone 5s was blisteringly fast and it's the same story with the new iPad Air. For those complaining of the iOS 7 slowing down their iPads, there was no sign of that here.
Apps open in an instant, scrubbing through videos is a breeze and multitasking is no-problem. Of course, the 64-bit is a future proofing exercise but we can't wait to get our hands on some apps that make the most of the iPad's super-power.
iPad Air: Screen
We've come to expect pin-sharp images on Apple's Retina screen and the iPad Air doesn't disappoint. It's the same size as the iPad 4 at 9.7-inch and the same resolution (2048x1536, 264ppi) but what Apple has managed to do, this time round, is place a Retina screen in a thinner bezel. iOS 7 icons pop out of the screen and on the bigger screen that parallax-effect even gave us a touch of motion sickness.
iPad Air: Battery
Apple is quoting a 10-battery life for the new iPad. That's upped from the 9 hours on the iPad 4 and beats both the Nexus 10 and the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1. Of course, until we get our hands on a review unit we'll have to take Apple's word for it but it's usually near the mark.
iPad Air: Verdict
We called the iPad 4 Apple's best full-size tablet yet and the iPad Air is even better. The iPad 4 was a mild update from the iPad 3 with no design changes, the new iPad is all change. The main difference is its design. With a paper-thin chassis and weighing less than the original iPad Mini, it's a design marvel. The Retina screen remains one of the best screens on a tablet and this is now boosted by a blisteringly fast processor. If you're stuck with the iPad 3 then this is a no-brainer, even for those with an iPad 4 it's a tempting upgrade.
The iPad Mini may be small but it can no longer play the thinner and lighter card and if you're one for bigger is better then you won't get much better than the new iPad Air. Of course, we'll be bringing you a full review in the coming weeks but on first impressions this is probably Apple's best tablet yet.
iPad Air release Date: 1 November 2013
iPad Air price: Wi-Fi only: £399 (16GB), £479 (32GB), £559 (64GB), £639 (128GB)
The iPad Mini may be small but it can no longer play the thinner and lighter card and if you're one for bigger is better then you won't get much better than the new iPad Air. Of course, we'll be bringing you a full review in the coming weeks but on first impressions this is probably Apple's best tablet yet.
iPad Air release Date: 1 November 2013
iPad Air price: Wi-Fi only: £399 (16GB), £479 (32GB), £559 (64GB), £639 (128GB)
Wi-Fi + 4G: £499 (16GB), £579 (32GB), £659 (64GB) and £739 (128GB)
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