Torn between air 2 or 2017 9.7 inch

[staleygreg]

I am in the market for a cellular iPad, upgrading from a wifi only version. I currently have a wifi air 2 32gb and love it. The question is, 2017 9.7" ipad with cellular 32gb for $389 or an ipad air 2 with cellular 64gb for $489? I like the screen better on the air 2, I like how it's smaller and lighter. The main thing I like about it is the well designed apple smart case for it and there is not one for the 2017 ipad. I tried some cheap amazon alternatives and they just aren't the same quality. Is it really stupid to pay $100 more for something that has 2-3 years older technology inside?

Edit: I know the A8x is really only 1 year older hardware than the a9, so maybe that doesn't make it seem so much older?

 

[Shanghaichica]

It’s a difficult choice because whilst the A9 won’t be much faster than the A8X, the 2017 iPad will be supported for longer so you will get more of a return on your investment.

I owned the iPad Air 2. It’s a fantastic device and besides the difference in software support I think the iPad Air 2 is the better device overall.

 

[catean]

I owned the iPad Air 2. It’s a fantastic device and besides the difference in software support I think the iPad Air 2 is the better device overall.

Totally agree. And the A8X has 3 cores and A9 only 2 cores. Air2 is a powerfull machine and will supported for a long time. And the screen in the Air2 is laminated (glass guled to the actual screen) and on the 2017 iPad is not. Clear winner is Air2.

 

[BugeyeSTI]

I love my Air2. 2017 iPad doesn’t offer me anything that makes me want to ditch the Air2. If my Air2 needed replacement, 10.5 pro would be my next iPad. OP, have you considered looking for a refurbished 9.7 pro from Apple? Way more capable than the 2017 iPad and same form factor as the Air2

 

[staleygreg]

I love my Air2. 2017 iPad doesn’t offer me anything that makes me want to ditch the Air2. If my Air2 needed replacement, 10.5 pro would be my next iPad. OP, have you considered looking for a refurbished 9.7 pro from Apple? Way more capable than the 2017 iPad and same form factor as the Air2

I have, they don't have cellular ones that pop up very often.

 

[Chazzle]

I agree with @catean. The laminated display on the Air 2 does make a big difference. Having used both the Air 2 and 2017 iPad, the 2017 feels hollow when tapping on the screen and I don’t like it.
Edit: Corrected “haven’t” used to “having” used.

 

[staleygreg]

The 10.5 pro is kinda getting out of my price range, and all I'll be using this for is social media and streaming tv(sports)

Edit: But yes I do like the screen better on the air 2

 

[Shanghaichica]

Totally agree. And the A8X has 3 cores and A9 only 2 cores. Air2 is a powerfull machine and will supported for a long time. And the screen in the Air2 is laminated (glass guled to the actual screen) and on the 2017 iPad is not. Clear winner is Air2.

The 2017 iPad was a poor ungraded from the air 2. I ended up with the iPad Pro 10.5 as it seemed the only real upgrade path for me.
[doublepost=1513362970][/doublepost]

I agree with @catean. The laminated display on the Air 2 does make a big difference. Haven’t used both the Air 2 and 2017 iPad, the 2017 feels hollow when tapping on the screen and I don’t like it.

I had the original iPad Air before having the air 2 and I could never go back to using a non laminated screen.

 

[Richard8655]

I have to go against the grain. I love my 5th gen non-laminated screen iPad. As a matter of fact, I prefer it over the laminated. I owned both the 10.5 and 5th gen.

 

[Freakonomics101]

I have to go against the grain. I love my 5th gen non-laminated screen iPad. As a matter of fact, I prefer it over the laminated. I owned both the 10.5 and 5th gen.

Can I get your reasoning on that? Not bashing you or anything. Just curious.

 

[Richard8655]

Can I get your reasoning on that? Not bashing you or anything. Just curious.

Sure. I didn’t like the sensitivity to pressure of the screen. It caused light leaks around the edge near the home button. It also seemed too delicate and easily damaged compared to the 5th gen non-laminated. I found the 5th gen just as clear and sharp, and never noticed nor was bothered by any “hollow tapping” issues.

I also heard enough about anamolies with laminated, such as yellow bands and permanent spots from pressing excessively. I don’t believe that would ever happen with the 5th gen. I really didn’t see the huge display advanatage for more than double the price, especially in not needing to use the pencil.

But I concede this is all subjective and personal preference.

 

[XT550]

How’s that for a deciding factor. I constantly get 14 hrs of usage on my iPad 5 on iOS 11.1.2 with 75 to 95 hrs standby while the battery never goes below 20%.
The Air 2 doesn’t even come close to these numbers.

 

[rui no onna]

Can I get your reasoning on that? Not bashing you or anything. Just curious.

Display is more resistant to fingerprints and battery life is absolutely amazing.

Honestly, with the filmy haze covering the display on the Air 2 or newer after just half an hour of use, I've become quite forgiving of increased reflectivity. Alas, I want gobs of local storage which the 2017 iPad doesn't offer.

 

[doboy]

Air 2. The new 2017 iPad (non-pro) is a garbage.

 

[Richard8655]

Air 2. The new 2017 iPad (non-pro) is a garbage.

This seems pretty uninformed. The 5th gen is a great iPad and beats any I’ve owned before by a long shot.

 

[mk313]

There may be other differences between the Mini 4 & Air 2, but I have the mini 4 (with the A8) chip & it really has some significant lags when opening apps, etc. For that reason, I"d go with the 2017 iPad myself.

 

[Jimbo Limbo]

My work provided me an iPad Air 2 64. I have been happily using it for a while. Recently, my employer switched new people over to iPad 2017 9.7. It does not feel or look like a premium device like the Air 2 does.

I also have a mini 2 with the non-laminated display, and would never buy another iPad without a laminated display. It is hard to read outdoors.

I imagine that you are watching for a refurbished Air 2 LTE to come up in the apple refurb store?

Best wishes with your choice.

Re iOS 11, I waited until 11.2 came out. Then I backed up my ipad, and restored IOS onto the machine, and reinstalled the apps. I have not experienced ANY stuttering mentioned occasionally by other users. It is nice and snappy.

 

[doboy]

This seems pretty uninformed. The 5th gen is a great iPad and beats any I’ve owned before by a long shot.

Maybe I should clarify. The screen on the new non-pro is garbage. We may have different standards.

 

[Mainsail]

Maybe I should clarify. The screen on the new non-pro is garbage. We may have different standards.

Wow. Hyperbolic reply. We are talking about a Retina display. I use my iPad 5th gen every day and have zero problems with the display, and it runs iOS 11 smoothly.

The iPad is a pretty good value for the typical consumer. During the holidays, they have been on sale for as low as $250.....pretty sweet.
[doublepost=1513652948][/doublepost]To avoid trolls, rants, and hyperbole, please see the review linked below that compares the Air 2 and the 2017. It seems like a fair and rational comparison that might be helpful in making an informed decision:

 

[doboy]

Wow. Hyperbolic reply. We are talking about a Retina display.

Not all retina displays are the same. My reply may be slightly hyperbolic, but I've had pretty much all iPads starting with 1st gen and after using displays on the Pro (not even the newest ones) going back to that old display is just painful from my short experience at the Apple Store.

 

[Mainsail]

For the OP, below is another review after 6 months of real world use. It is generally positive. In fairness, there have been other reviews that are more critical of the 2017 iPad, and it definitely has some drawbacks compared to the Pro models.

For the most part, the 2017 iPad is recognized by reviewers as being a pretty good value.

 

[emembee]

Just my experience here, the iPad 2017 is a lot more fluid in performance than my mini4 (a8) on ios11, not sure if the air2 is significantly better than the a8 though.

 

[KitnB]

Here’s an idea: Get a refurbished iPad Pro 9.7” and call it a day. If you can’t afford it, then save more or sell/trade in some sh*t until you can afford it. Problem solved and no need to pay for an inferior screen or a 3 year old model though still speedy and responsive, could be rendered crap by any upcoming iOS version— beware the ides of iOS updates...

Mind you, I was in a similar boat. I have an Air2 but wanted to upgrade. I took my Air2 down to my local Apple store and compared it, at length, to the 2017 iPad and holy mother of God, the screen difference was appalling to me. Just horrible! It was also noticeably thicker, heavier and just looked cheaper and “bad” compared to the Air2 and the Pro models...

I crossed the 2017 iPad off my list and then compared my Air2 to the 10.5” Pro and found that I don’t like the larger size, and actually preferred the 9.7” form factor. I did love the True Tone display and Apple Pencil support so, while still in the Apple store, from my Air2, I ordered a refurbished iPad Pro 9.7” (and an Apple Pencil and a Smart Keyboard) and have been so happy with my choice of not settling for a cheap ass iPad 2017.

I still have my Air2 and compare it to my Pro every now and again for performance and the Air2 is still kicking ass and taking names which is why I’m going to hold onto it as a backup and a secondary device.

 

[Richard8655]

Here’s an idea: Get a refurbished iPad Pro 9.7” and call it a day. If you can’t afford it, then save more or sell/trade in some sh*t until you can afford it. Problem solved and no need to pay for an inferior screen or a 3 year old model though still speedy and responsive, could be rendered crap by any upcoming iOS version— beware the ides of iOS updates...
.

No way is the 5th gen an inferior screen. As the above “6 months later” review said, most people would be hard pressed to see the difference between the 5th gen’s retina and the Pro. I had the 10.5 Pro, saw no substantial difference, returned it, and prefer the 5th gen.

 

[KitnB]

No way is the 5th gen an inferior screen. As the above “6 months later” review said, most people would be hard pressed to see the difference between the 5th gen’s retina and the Pro. I had the 10.5 Pro, saw no substantial difference, returned it, and prefer the 5th gen.

It is most DEFINITELY an inferior screen. Period. Just because YOUR eyes “see no difference” doesn’t negate that the screen tech IS INFERIOR and it doesn’t mean that others with “better eyesight” (and common sense) can’t see the very clear difference either.

Is the difference within someone’s tolerance? That’s a personal decision for them to make, but stop trying to lie/deny/ignore that a non-lamented iPad screen is as good, technology-wise and visually, as a lamented iPad screen.

Educate yourself on screen tech more. Troll less.