Is the iPad Pro 9.7" worth the upgrade from Air 2?

[lali]

i desperately want the pencil support and i'm really struggling to justify the expense, even coming all the way from an iPad 3.

doesn't help that i'm in canada, where the starting price increase for this new 9.7 iPad is a whopping $250 more than all previous 9.7 models were at launch.

Hi fellow canadian,
Came from an iPad3 as well, 2 weeks ago we purchased a refurbished iPad Air2 from Apple, change is night and day in usability and performance. Quite happy especially since I see the pricing gap between refurb ipad air2 64 and iPad pro 9.7 128...

 

[lyceumHQ]

The base mode iPad pro is £499 ($717).

On release the base model iPad Air 2 was £399 ($570).

So Apple have decided the pro is worth £100 ($140) more than the iPad Air two was.

I'm sorry Apple but that's a joke.

That takes the iPad from a little on the expensive side but worth the extra to beyond the joke expensive.

 

[Traverse]

I think it depends on the user. The Air 2 is wicked fast and light, but I've been wanting Apple Pencil support for years (a fine point stylus that is). I just sold my 128GB Air 2 for $420. I could have gotten more if I would have held out I think since Apple stopped making the 128GB version. Honestly, I hated selling it because I felt it was still a perfectly good device (unlike my iPad 3 which needed to go).

I'm paying a hefty premium just for Pencil support, but the new better screen is a bonus. Plus, with the monster A9X chip, it should be good for 3-4 years.

 

[aypues]

Hi fellow canadian,
Came from an iPad3 as well, 2 weeks ago we purchased a refurbished iPad Air2 from Apple, change is night and day in usability and performance. Quite happy especially since I see the pricing gap between refurb ipad air2 64 and iPad pro 9.7 128...

I hear you. I feel like buying an iPad is like buying a car now. You can pay the premium for a brand new one or just get a refurb that's good enough for 50% off.

 

[Muk4r0]

If you are making the jump because of the pencil then is because you draw, if you draw bigger is better, bigger screen, bigger RAM ... longer lifespan, better deal for an upgrade performance wise is the 12.9 pro hands down period, makes look the new 9.7 a joke for an upgrade ... Its common sense, why pay 100 dollars more on the 9.7 ipad when a better ipad pro 12.9 is doing price drop ?!

 

[ZBoater]

The specs on both devices are pretty close.

Yeah. This looks pretty close to me.

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I have a first generation Air. Do you think the upgrade it worth it for me?

I'm not that happy with the responsiveness of it, but I'm not sure whether or not a new model will help in that regard.

Oh yes it will.

 

[gadget123]

I have the 128GB Air 2 which I love. I use it all the time for web browsing and watching videos.

Is it worth the upgrade to the new iPad Pro? It's £619 here in UK for the 128GB edition. 32GB isn't enough for my needs. I'm not interested in Apple Pencil or Keyboard. I do like the sound of the vastly better speakers, much improved display and the considerably faster A9X SOC.

Do you think it's worth the jump to the Pro 9.7" or do you think the Air 2 still has a lot of life left in it? Would be good to hear your opinions!

Is this post for real? The updates are mininmal with a Pro name. The air 1 > 2 offered more of an update.

 

[617aircav]

I have an iPad 4 and it works very well I can complain about it. If you have a air 2 and don't need the pen why would you want to upgrade anyway? To have the latest device?

 

[ZBoater]

I have an iPad 4 and it works very well I can complain about it. If you have a air 2 and don't need the pen why would you want to upgrade anyway? To have the latest device?

Yes.

 

[sracer]

I have the 128GB Air 2 which I love. I use it all the time for web browsing and watching videos.

Is it worth the upgrade to the new iPad Pro? It's £619 here in UK for the 128GB edition. 32GB isn't enough for my needs. I'm not interested in Apple Pencil or Keyboard. I do like the sound of the vastly better speakers, much improved display and the considerably faster A9X SOC.

Do you think it's worth the jump to the Pro 9.7" or do you think the Air 2 still has a lot of life left in it? Would be good to hear your opinions!

I too have a 128GB Air 2. Bought it at a great discount back in Oct 2015. Without the need for the Pencil, I'd say that the 9.7 Pro is not worth upgrading to. It is my belief, along with others, that the Air 2 will be the next long-term model (similar to the iPad 2). The 9.7 Pro feels like a half-step.

I make use of various styli on the Air 2. I'm having fun with them, but I'm interested in the Pencil. But another killer deal (this time for the 12.9 Pro) caused me to buy one. Before this sale, I was prepared to ride the Air 2 out for another year or so or until a killer deal appeared for the 9.7 Pro (which would justify taking a half-step upgrade).

 

[Furzul]

I have an iPad air 2. I will upgrade to the pro 9.7 " in a few months, maybe there will be some refurbished ones about in Oct/Nov.

 

[Cakefish]

Is this post for real? The updates are mininmal with a Pro name. The air 1 > 2 offered more of an update.

Yeah, you're right, I've decided to stay with my Air 2. It does everything I want it to. I'd love the new speakers of the new Pro model and the improved display but it's just not enough to justify the expense of upgrading.

I too have a 128GB Air 2. Bought it at a great discount back in Oct 2015. Without the need for the Pencil, I'd say that the 9.7 Pro is not worth upgrading to. It is my belief, along with others, that the Air 2 will be the next long-term model (similar to the iPad 2). The 9.7 Pro feels like a half-step.

I make use of various styli on the Air 2. I'm having fun with them, but I'm interested in the Pencil. But another killer deal (this time for the 12.9 Pro) caused me to buy one. Before this sale, I was prepared to ride the Air 2 out for another year or so or until a killer deal appeared for the 9.7 Pro (which would justify taking a half-step upgrade).

I bought mine in October last year too. Yeah, I think you're right, the Air 2 is still relevant in the lineup seeing as the new one still has 2GB RAM.

 

[ShaunAFC3]

I really doubt that there's going to be 2 lines of 9.7" iPad. I'm willing to bet just about anything that there won't be another iPad of that size released in 2016. The new iPad Pro is the one and only successor to the Air 2.

Does anyone think there's a chance Apple might add these two features to the iPad Air 3 (assuming it lives on this Fall)?

Umm the new 9.7 inch iPad Pro IS the "Air 3" the difference is they just changed the names from Air To Pro because the word "Pro" sounds so so much more appealing and attention grabbing to people and will be more of a money earner to Apple then the word "Air" just like they changed the names from the iPad 4 to the iPad "Air" couple years ago!

So there won't be a iPad "Air" 3 as it IS the new 9.7 inch iPad Pro, basically just think of the new 9.7 Pro is the "Air 3"!!
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So what exactly makes this a "Pro" and not an Air3? Nothing. Apple just found a way to make money on a natural upgrade cycle.

Exactly!! By putting the word "Pro" in any product is definitely a way way better way to get people buying that product then a word like "Air"!!

But yesterday your 128GB iPad was pretty darn good as well.

Still IS very good/powerful and a BEAST of a tablet!!


So you are saying the iPad Air 2 is terribly bad now??!!

 

[thasan]

im pissed that it comes with 2 GB ram. yes i am pissed that to get all the pro feature, u got to shell out extra money for keyboard and pencil.
Yet.... I am getting it. close to 900 damn pounds!!!

 

[Zeos]

For me, it was worth the upgrade. I think the 9.7IPP will have a longer shelf life than the IPA2. Speakers are great, anti-reflective coating is much better, and the colors much deeper. Also enjoy the 256 GB of storage (I had maxed out my 128 GB IPA2). If you enjoy your IPA2, then hold onto it for another year to see what the next IPP feature set looks like.

 

[Mr. Zarniwoop]

I have an iPad Air 2 and seriously considered upgrading.

It's a lot of money, and outside of the Apple Pencil, the new display, or 256GB options it's not a compelling upgrade. If I had an original iPad Air, the Touch ID and iOS multitasking would have made it compelling, but the iPad Air 2 has those already.

The keyboard actually isn't that great. My Logitech Type+ is significantly superior and you can get it on eBay refurbished or open box for 20-25% the cost of the new Apple keyboard. I suspect the same is true with many other 3rd party keyboards.

I have the FiftyThree Pencil and it's good enough for my needs, but I have to say the Apple Pencil is day-and-night better. If that was one of my primary needs, that would definitely make the new iPad Pro 9.7" worth it.

 

[asleep]

Looks like it looks like it is: http://www.displaymate.com/iPad_Pro9_ShootOut_1.htm