Apple Adds iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 2 to Vintage Products List

[MacRumors]

Apple today added the iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 2 to its vintage and obsolete products list, as it has been more than five years since the devices were last offered for sale.

The iPad Air 2 was first released in October 2014, and was the first iPad Air to feature a Touch ID fingerprint sensor. It also used Apple's A8X processor and had a laminated gapless display, which made it significantly thinner than the original iPad Air.

Launched in November 2013, the iPad mini 2 was colloquially known as the Retina iPad mini, due to its Retina display with 2048 x 1536 resolution. Otherwise, visually it was identical with its predecessor, though it was slightly heavier and thicker. The tablet used an A7 processor and the M7 coprocessor originally introduced in the iPhone 5s.

The vintage products list features devices that Apple stopped distributing for sale more than five years ago and less than seven years ago. Apple provides service and parts for vintage devices for up to 7 years, or as required by law, but repairs are subject to parts availability.

On a side note, Apple was expected to move 2014's 11-inch and 13-inch MacBook Air models and the mid-2014 13-inch MacBook Pro from vintage to obsolete at the beginning of May, but the latest update shows that only the two MacBook Airs have currently made the transition.

Article Link: Apple Adds iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 2 to Vintage Products List

 

[contacos]

wow and the Air 2 even still received iOS 15. I still have it as a secondary iPad. What a great device.

 

[HeavenDynamic]

Probably the first time that a product gets added to the vintage list while still supporting the latest version of iOS. Impressive.

 

[EugW]

I am so glad I didn’t succumb to the temptation of the iPad Air and waited for the iPad Air 2. The iPad Air 2 was a huge leap forward with twice the RAM and much improved SoC. I liked it so much I bought another one a year later for the wife. Now both are still being used every day by the kids. Given that the iPad Air 2 runs the latest version of iPadOS well, it looks like the kids will still have a couple of years life out of these great machines.

 

[Hicksmat1976]

I'm guessing this means my Air 2 won't get iPadOS16? might be time for an upgrade.

 

[Shalev Lazarof]

I remember buying the air 2 in Prague, those were the best times of Apple when Jony Ive was there, still some kind of an underdog with Steve Jobs mentality - the DESIGN is the most important thing.

The chamfered edges, the shapes and the details aren't there anymore, there is no SEX in the products (yesterday I saw the studio display, a black boring soulless box on a squere stand, and don't get me starting on the new MacBook Pro - this is not S.J Apple), and, you can tell by the products commercials - today it is all BS hype train, it used to be just pure human emotions.

just look at this commercial, beautiful and peaceful, the best humanity has to offer - what  is all about.

 

[ChrisMoBro]

My old iPad Air 2 is still doing pretty well. It needs a new battery but apart from that, it's perfect for my young daughter's needs.

 

[oofio2461]

Definitely means A8 Devices won't get iOS 16. My mom has used an Ipad Air 2 for the longest time now. I think it's time to upgrade to the 9th gen Ipad. I will miss this device since it was my first iPad I ever owned. I upgraded to the Air 5 when it came out, and that thing runs like a beast, but every time I use it I remember my first time actually using an iPad. Good times.

 

[boak]

Definitely means A8 Devices won't get iOS 16. My mom has used an Ipad Air 2 for the longest time now. I think it's time to upgrade to the 9th gen Ipad. I will miss this device since it was my first iPad I ever owned. I upgraded to the Air 5 when it came out, and that thing runs like a beast, but every time I use it I remember my first time actually using an iPad. Good times.

The iPhone 6 has an A8 and the highest compatible iOS is iOS 12. RAM has been the limiting factor for iOS devices for some time now.

 

[B/D]

Definitely means A8 Devices won't get iOS 16. My mom has used an Ipad Air 2 for the longest time now. I think it's time to upgrade to the 9th gen Ipad. I will miss this device since it was my first iPad I ever owned. I upgraded to the Air 5 when it came out, and that thing runs like a beast, but every time I use it I remember my first time actually using an iPad. Good times.

Interesting. Would that include the original homepod, or because it is a speaker Apple will continue to support it more time?

 

[B/D]

I suppose the original homepod, which run a fork of tvOS, will stop getting software updates when the apple tv hd (which also has an A8 chip) does.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

My iPad Air 2 is going surprisingly strong still and being used every day, so I am very impressed with it. Sure, it is a slower than my Air 4, but still holds up quite well, and the kids love it. And it has the best design of any iPad out there - Thin, light, and very nice edges to hold on to.

 

[Royksöpp]

Best iPad Ever.

 

[dz5b609]

My iPad Air 2 is going surprisingly strong still and being used every day, so I am very impressed with it. Sure, it is a slower than my Air 4, but still holds up quite well, and the kids love it. And it has the best design of any iPad out there - Thin, light, and very nice edges to hold on to.

Same, I have to replace it because I've run out of storage space, but if not for that I wouldn't have any reason to replace it. Just using it as a home iPad for some quick browsing/calendar/mail it just still does the job without issue.

 

[44267547]

The iPad Air 2 had an outstanding run. I still use mine regularly as a ‘back-up’, and it’s the one iPad that really has a ‘built tough’ construction behind it, especially compared to the newer iPad models that seem like they’re more cheaply made with a thinner aluminum casing.

 

[PlayUltimate]

Use the iPad mini 2 to watch Netflix while doing cardio at the gym and read the occasional book. The 16GB of storage is limiting and web access is a dog. But looking to get the mini 6 though.

 

[Mr. Dee]

Speaking of vintage, I guess my Early 2015 Broadwell based 13 inch MacBook Pro is not too far behind. Hopefully it will eek one more year out of a macOS release.

 

[CrapShack]

The iPad Air 2 was the best. Thin, light, fast. It had the perfect "hand feel."

 

[EugW]

Speaking of vintage, I guess my Early 2015 Broadwell based 13 inch MacBook Pro is not too far behind. Hopefully it will eek one more year out of a macOS release.

I can empathize, esp. since I only bought our Broadwell 2015 MacBook Pro 8 GB i5 at the end of last year. Since it was discontinued in June 2017, we could see it declared vintage this summer. If that happens, it likely won't get macOS 13. I suppose we might get lucky and Apple could throw us a bone and give us macOS 13, but I'm not counting on it.

Not that I'm complaining though, since I only paid ~$325 plus shipping for ours, despite the fact it was largely brand new with new top case, keyboard, battery. Screen looks brand new too.

OTOH, my ancient Haswell Mac mini 2014 8 GB i5 which I also bought last year, is almost guaranteed to get macOS 13 since it wasn't discontinued until October 30, 2018. In fact, since it was discontinued so late in 2018, there is even a chance it might get macOS 14. Go figure.

 

[sblemmy]

Normally I’m not nostalgic or even one to gush, but the iPad Air 2 seemed like the pinnacle of form meets function.

Although I definitely value the functionality of today’s iPads (the Pro is finally living up to the line’s potential as a near-laptop replacement), I find the design uninspiring and somewhat boring.

 

[BugeyeSTI]

Still use my Air2 everyday (still on 14.8.1) and it works very well for it's age. The battery is starting to show noticeable wear so will need to be replaced before long but it's right up there with my favorite iOS devices that I've owned..

 

[svish]

Still use my Air 2 occasionally. It is a great iPad. Since it is now added to vintage list, most probably it will not be getting any future iPadOS updates.

 

[Mark Holmes]

My iPad Air 2 is going surprisingly strong still and being used every day, so I am very impressed with it. Sure, it is a slower than my Air 4, but still holds up quite well, and the kids love it. And it has the best design of any iPad out there - Thin, light, and very nice edges to hold on to.

This. I'd love to see a true iPad Air again that is lighter than the Pro and the budget iPad. And the new iPad designs with the flat edges are so uncomfortable to hold.

 

[Robert.Walter]

Still use my Air2 everyday (still on 14.8.1) and it works very well for it's age. The battery is starting to show noticeable wear so will need to be replaced before long but it's right up there with my favorite iOS devices that I've owned..

Consider iPadOS 15. My air2 runs fine on it. You are likely missing a few missing security updates (and IIRC PiP.)

 

[Adithya007]

Still use one everyday and it works just fine. Brilliant product.