Apple Debuts New 9.7-Inch iPad With A9 Chip to Replace iPad Air 2, Starting at $329

[manu chao]

This is a very good post. I don't think it indicates an event will not happen though. They very easily could have an iPad event and just mention the 9.7" (non-pro). Your post is probably one of the most logical explanations for a reason to be annoyed.

BTW, remember the recent rumours about the 10.5" iPad only shipping in May? This would fit with an early May event presenting it. This might only be the 10.5" iPad slipping by about two months and Apple not wanting to hold the cheaper 9.7" iPad for these two months.
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But it shows interest in the product lines. If Apple always waits for big upgrades, they will send customers elsewhere as it will look like EOL products. This is a result of them being so tight lipped about products and regurgitating the ridiculous "pipeline" comments.

And if it releases products like the iPad mini 3, it will look bad as well.

This really is mostly about people expecting any new A-series chip to come to all product lines as soon as it is released in the first product. Apple saves some design work by not renewing all iPads on a 12-month basis. But it also creates incentive for people to buy the more expensive iPads (eg, the 9.7" iPad often having a newer A-series chip than the Mini, which was also true for the 12.9" iPad over the 9.7" iPad for six months).

 

[Spock]

Im pretty happy with this iPad, I think it's a great deal. My latest iPad that I use is a iPad Air and I haven't really been compelled to upgrade until now. For the fairly low cost it feels like a nice upgrade for what I use my iPad for.

 

[manu chao]

Clarifying - The Air 2 and Pro laminated screen process is shared, same case and screen. The new iPad and Air 1 case and screen process are more similar and cheaper to produce. Thinness is Apple forte, so this had to change.

The new 9.7" iPad matches the Air 1 case down to the millimetre and gram. The battery size also matches exactly the one from the Air 1.
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I just found this on Engadget about this iPad and almost threw up.

"After a careful look at Apple's iPad comparison page, we've found the new iPad's Achilles' heel. Its screen isn't laminated to the glass and doesn't have the anti-reflective treatment found on the screen of every other iPad. The iPad Air 2, by comparison, had a fully-laminated screen, which removes a visible gap between the display and the glass cover. If you've used a device with a laminated screen (which includes most phones out there now), the notion of going backwards there isn't promising.

Indeed, as a device that is basically meant to be a giant window to the internet, skimping on the screen here is a bummer. The new iPad's price point is still excellent, but there's no doubt this is a budget iPad compared to the Pro."

How do you sell a 9.7" iPad with an A9 for $599 (or possibly a 10.5" iPad with an A10) while also offering a 9.7" iPad with an A9 for $329 without making the cheaper model worse than the $599 model? BTW, this is not a downgraded Air 2, it is an Air 1 with upgraded chips (CPU/GPU, Wifi/Bluethooth, back camera).

 

[I7guy]

They will because this is a pure margins product

Still massive hypothecation and past history shows Apple does not engage in that type of stuff. (The iPhone se)

 

[Radon87000]

Still massive hypothecation and past history shows Apple does not engage in that type of stuff. (The iPhone se)

Regardless the display is a huge downgrade as is the chassis . It's basically recycled iPad Air 1 chassis leftover at Foxconn. So Apple has now set a precedent that in the future they may resort to it if not now

 

[sracer]

Regardless the display is a huge downgrade as is the chassis . It's basically recycled iPad Air 1 chassis leftover at Foxconn. So Apple has now set a precedent that in the future they may resort to it if not now

If any precedent was set, it was when they released the iPhone SE. This new iPad is following in that regard. It is the iPad SE.

 

[Jsameds]

Regardless the display is a huge downgrade as is the chassis . It's basically recycled iPad Air 1 chassis leftover at Foxconn. So Apple has now set a precedent that in the future they may resort to it if not now

Haha it's not a huge downgrade at all.

I went from Air 1 to Air 2. There really wasn't as much a difference as people are making out.

 

[manu chao]

Regardless the display is a huge downgrade as is the chassis . It's basically recycled iPad Air 1 chassis leftover at Foxconn. So Apple has now set a precedent that in the future they may resort to it if not now

The iPhone SE display is not a downgrade from the iPhone 5s display. Similarly the new 9.7" iPad display is not a downgrade from the Air 1 display. Both the SE and this new 9.7" iPad were released 2.5 yr after their case (iPhone 5s and iPad Air 1) was originally released.

Yes, you could get a better 9.7" display on an iPad until yesterday for $399. But you couldn't get a $329 9.7" iPad either before yesterday.

 

[Mackinjosh]

Apple basically owns the entire tablet market now. No matter how bad a business practice it may be to put a 2 year old chip and and an inferior screen in a 2017 device, we can't really have any alternatives at this point.

Apple doesn't own anything related to the tablet market.

 

[manu chao]

Regardless the display is a huge downgrade as is the chassis . It's basically recycled iPad Air 1 chassis leftover at Foxconn. So Apple has now set a precedent that in the future they may resort to it if not now

It's exactly the same to what happened with the iPhone SE. The market seems to be reasonably happy with the SE.
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Apple doesn't own anything related to the tablet market.

Apple owns the high-end tablet market (above, I think $300) in that it sells more than 50% of all $300+ tablets.

 

[Mackinjosh]

Haha it's not a huge downgrade at all.

I went from Air 1 to Air 2. There really wasn't as much a difference as people are making out.

Bull****. There's a huge difference in screen quality/clarity as well as a huge difference in how the two devices feel when you're tapping the screen. On the Air 1 it feels and sounds hollow when you touch it. It's awful. The Air 2 improved upon the 1 in every single way. To see them go back to the far inferior design is both depressing and hilarious. And what's even funnier is that 330 dollars for this garbage iPad is their "entry level" tablet. Hahaha.

 

[Jsameds]

Bull****. There's a huge difference in screen quality/clarity as well as a huge difference in how the two devices feel when you're tapping the screen. On the Air 1 it feels and sounds hollow when you touch it. It's awful. The Air 2 improved upon the 1 in every single way. To see them go back to the far inferior design is both depressing and hilarious. And what's even funnier is that 330 dollars for this garbage iPad is their "entry level" tablet. Hahaha.

There isn't a huge difference, I compared them myself side by side when I got them. There's a difference, sure, but big it is not.

As for the tapping, my Air 1 had that but my friends didn't, so I'm convinced it was a defect somewhere in the manufacturing.

 

[anirdb55]

Apple doesn't own anything related to the tablet market.

Well let's see. Say I'm in the market for buying a new tablet in 2017. My options are iPad and what? The general public can't even name an Android alternative without googling it. Granted there is less and less demand for tablets due to introduction of larger phones and convertibles. But whatever tablet market there remains, iPad is the only mainstream premium offering. The scenario is a lot different for phones where all companies have premium offerings competing directly with apple.

 

[I7guy]

Regardless the display is a huge downgrade as is the chassis . It's basically recycled iPad Air 1 chassis leftover at Foxconn. So Apple has now set a precedent that in the future they may resort to it if not now

That's not what this is about. Apple is down marketing their products. Why would they produce a less expensive with flagship components. Apple will not take technology and cripple it, that would be public relations nightmare going forward. They did find an "iPhone se" formula worked so now they are applying it to the iPad. Surprised you didn't see that it maybe you did but decided to throw in Apple crippling technology.

 

[FeliApple]

Existing iPad owners should be delighted by the specs of this new iPad Air. If Apple is just now releasing such a sluggard of an iPad then it means that more powerful iPads will have an even longer lifespan... unless Apple intends on expanding iOS so quickly so soon that it will immediately cause this new iPad to choke.

Exactly what I thought. Get news for us owners of the 9.7 Pro. That means that support will be longer -they won't cut out support quickly for this new iPad and the Pro is more powerful- so it'll last more.

 

[LordVic]

There isn't a huge difference, I compared them myself side by side when I got them. There's a difference, sure, but big it is not.

As for the tapping, my Air 1 had that but my friends didn't, so I'm convinced it was a defect somewhere in the manufacturing.

I'm going to have to parrot this and agree

in my house we have an iPad Air (mine) and an iPad Air 2 (Brothers) and I've had a good chance of comparing the two side by side

the display is barely noticeably better in day to day usage. there's no "OMG THIS IS LIFE CHANGING". better on brightness and reflective, but that's about all that's generally noticeable.

the thickness and weight are slightly better, but nothing compelling enough to shell out the money to replace an Air 1 to an Air 2. the usability didn't change at all with the barely perceivable differences.

the only difference I would say is due to RAM availability, the Air 2 is slightly faster at resuming apps, especially ones that you've put in the background. It's also much better at keeping them in memory and far smoother experience for side by side. the Air 1's lack of RAM makes for any side by side use to be quite painful. So hopefully this is better on the new iPad model.

 

[FeliApple]

Also, I am interested in the battery life of this new iPad. I have noticed a huge drop in battery life when I updated my iPad 4 (that lasted 16 hours when new on iOS 6, albeit dropping to 14 on iOS 7). My Pro barely scratches 14 with my fairly light usage -and on its first iOS too, 9- I think this new iPad might have the iPad 4's battery life. Maybe iOS 10 doesn't let it, though? (iOS 6 was hugely efficient)

 

[Donka]

Don't be thinking on this new iPad as an upgrade. It is a new model designed to fit the bill as an entry level model for those new to iPads.
If you already have an iPad, you are going to want to wait for the new Pros before considering one of them as a new purchase as an upgrade.

 

[magicschoolbus]

Well, Mr. President, it might actually be too technical for a simple mind like yours to understand.

SAD!

 

[Jsameds]

Don't be thinking on this new iPad as an upgrade. It is a new model designed to fit the bill as an entry level model for those new to iPads.
If you already have an iPad, you are going to want to wait for the new Pros before considering one of them as a new purchase as an upgrade.

In all honesty it depends where you're coming from and what your budget is. I'd say this is a very attractive and cheap upgrade from iPad Air 1 and below.

 

[GoodWheaties]

I just found this on Engadget about this iPad and almost threw up.

"After a careful look at Apple's iPad comparison page, we've found the new iPad's Achilles' heel. Its screen isn't laminated to the glass and doesn't have the anti-reflective treatment found on the screen of every other iPad. The iPad Air 2, by comparison, had a fully-laminated screen, which removes a visible gap between the display and the glass cover. If you've used a device with a laminated screen (which includes most phones out there now), the notion of going backwards there isn't promising.

Indeed, as a device that is basically meant to be a giant window to the internet, skimping on the screen here is a bummer. The new iPad's price point is still excellent, but there's no doubt this is a budget iPad compared to the Pro."

This is another legendary move by Tim "Bean Counter" Cook.

Yes but the gap allows the front glass to be replaced cheaper, which may be more appealing for those who are interested in this iPad.

 

[levifig]

Another iPad to the already messy, fragmented, unnecessarily long line up of iPads to saturate the already saturated mobile market while continuing to leave the demand of Macs behind..

I'd love to say we're losing faith Tim, but that was so long ago now.

While I agree with the general sentiment, I don't think this is a fair assessment:
- This new iPad *replaces* the iPad Air, thus not adding a new product to the iPad line;
- They discontinued the iPad mini, effectively simplifying the iPad line.

As another commenter already mentioned, I don't think it was fair to expect any groundbreaking reveals on a silent update, with no accompanying event. Even so, this is a competent update/refresh of the iPad line, simplifying it (iPad and iPad Pro), and making the differences between the 2 products much more obvious and objective: cheaper vs premium, consumption vs creation, consumer vs pro.

All in all, a solid release day, even if tainted by the lack of Mac news and any new product reveals (which, again, was an unrealistic expectation on a silent update day).

 

[Rob_2811]

Smart move on Apples part, clearly a response to them having their lunch eaten by Chromebooks in the education market in the US.

 

[2298754]

Does this mean there will be no new iPad Pro?

 

[Radon87000]

If any precedent was set, it was when they released the iPhone SE. This new iPad is following in that regard. It is the iPad SE.

The iPhone SE just like this budget iPad has matte chamfers which is a cost saving measure.It also weighs more than the 5s. The new iPad takes this a step further as the display is a noticeable downgrade from its replacement the Air 2,its got an inferior chassis,is thicker and weighs more.

Haha it's not a huge downgrade at all.

I went from Air 1 to Air 2. There really wasn't as much a difference as people are making out.

There is an astounding difference between the two. On the Air 2 it feels as if the content is at your finger tips while on a non laminated display you can notice the gap between the glass and the actual panel and for those who have used a laminated display the difference is jarring.This is straight from multiple review sites

Anandtech

"The improvement from the iPad Air is dramatic, especially as the addition of lamination makes the display noticeably closer to the glass and reduces the reflections that result from the air gap. This change also helps with the viewing angles on the iPad Air 2, which were already quite good with the iPad Air due to the chevron-shaped subpixels"

The Verge

"That thinness is primarily achieved from a new optically-bonded display that virtually eliminates the air gap between the LCD and the top glass, making it seem like you’re touching the pixels directly. Apple’s making a big deal out of this, but it’s actually fairly late in bringing the technology to the iPad — every iPhone since the iPhone 4 has had a bonded display, the iMac has had one for a while now, and several competing high-end tablets have one as well. All for good reason: bonded displays look terrific. The Air 2 has a vibrant, sharp display that looks almost painted on. Apple says the new antireflective coating on the Air 2 reduces glare by 56 percent, but I didn’t really notice it making a huge difference; you definitely can’t use it in bright sunlight"

Ars Technica even says the switch from a non laminated display to a laminated one is bigger than the difference between the screens of an iPad Pro and an Ipad Air 2

For instance, the screen’s DCI P3 color gamut (a feature originally implemented in the most recent 4K and 5K iMacs) means it can display deeper and more accurate shades of green and red, but it’s not nearly as impactful as the switch from a non-Retina display to a Retina one or even the switch from the original iPad Air’s non-laminated display to the Air 2’s laminated one

The iPhone SE display is not a downgrade from the iPhone 5s display.Similarly the new 9.7" iPad display is not a downgrade from the Air 1 display. Both the SE and this new 9.7" iPad were released 2.5 yr after their case (iPhone 5s and iPad Air 1) was originally released.

Yes, you could get a better 9.7" display on an iPad until yesterday for $399. But you couldn't get a $329 9.7" iPad either before yesterday.

The iPad is an replacement for the Air 2 and not Air 1. The Air 1 is 4 years old today and it would be worth much less than $200 and all Apple did was change the processor and ram and charged iPad Air 2 rates for it. The Air 2 has a better display,is thinner and lighter and the tri core A8X is almost as powerful as the A9.

As expected Apple dropped the price by 70 and reduced more than $70 worth features