Upgrade Air 2 to 9.7 iPad Pro?

[ShaunAFC3]

an Air 3 is just around the corner that is going to fill that $499 price gap.

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"!!

 

[cynics]

It's not a legit spec bump with 2GB RAM


Also, almost nothing takes advantage of the power of the iPad Air 2 let alone the pro

No 3D Touch
No 4GB RAM
No 4K display

All of these are OBVIOUS additions for next years model that they purposely left out to make next years models enticing

That makes "spec bump" subjective. I was using it more literally. I understand those are thing that you'd like to see but that doesn't negate faster processors/graphics, better sound, better screen, Apple pen support etc.

I could say 512gb storage is a obvious omission for later year models too.
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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"!!

That maybe true but they are going to need to do something with the awkward pricing scheme they have now.

They could further lower iPad pricing. Make the Mini 4 299 and the Mini 2 169 or delete it.

Or

They could fill the gap with a product.

Which do you feel is more Apple like?

 

[uwdude]

Let me try to explain a bit better I didnt say it very well.

Lets say you go get an Air 2 today. Say you get a 64gb refurb for around $450. You can go sell that in a year from now for $300, a $150 loss (it will be a 2.5 year old refurb device then and 64gb Air 1s are going for about $300). To get back into the new ipad line (assuming the $599 price continues) you need to chip in $200 on top of what you sold it for. Overall you paid $650 (450 up front an 200 on the back end)

Now say you get an IPP 9.7 today. You can go sell it next year for $499, a $100 loss too (less loss than selling a 2.5 year old device). You only need to pony up $100 to get the newest iPad. Overall you paid $699 (599 up front an 100 on the back end).

This is the issue. At some point you will have to upgrade and what is the future loss/resale taken into account. There's only a $50 difference in that scenario.

It's not a LOT more money really, even if you get a refurb Air 2 now at that and not pay Apple pricing. You pay either way is the point, whether it is now, or a year from now. Unless younever intend to buy the newest one of course.

The big cost with Apple is always the first device that you buy in each category. You're paying the full cost at that point, which is why a lot of people balk and go to a cheap android or something. But after that first Apple purchase you're just trading up, so it makes sense to upgrade each year since the previous year's model is worth the most at that point, or be on one of those lease programs where you just trade in every year. After that first full cost purchase Apple isn't that expensive.

 

[pgolik]

Thats a little overboard. 2GB of RAM is still good and while 4GB should have been standard, its by no means crippling. The iPad 3 was crippled due to a crummy processor and graphics chip. Which has WAAAAY worse implication than RAM.

Funny you guys are saying this is the new iPad 3 when all benchmarks will blow away the Air 2.

In comparison the iPad 2 and 3 were equal and the 3 was actually less in graphics performance.

Yet the iPad 3 was obsolete after a few months (and barely adequate from the start), while the longevity of iPad 2 was legendary. What I meant was that the Air 2 is likely to be as long lived, as the original 2. The CPU/GPU benchmarks are in favour of the Pro, but how likely is the CPU to become the next bottleneck. The Pro would be a very solid update, had it retained the same pricing as the previous 9.7" iPads.

 

[Melrose]

I'm moving from an iPad 3 to the Pro. I needed to upgrade anyway, and help off for a month when I heard those pesky rumors. I needed to update a while ago, and typically I don't wait on tech stuff... but I procrastinated long enough to hear rumblings of this release... so I procrastinated some more. When I bought the iPad 3, 2 months later the 4 got released and I was shafted...

No way I'm spending more than $300 or 400 on a device that's 1.5 years old (*ahem* Air 2 *ahem*)

 

[Rideherhard]

if the air2 was only 12months old, then i would say yep go for the air2. but 18months old? hmmm i really think the extra £150 for the pro is hard to ignore

What does it matter how old it is? It's performance is right there with the brand new pro models.... It's still one of the top tablets on the market, that's just how well it was made.

 

[bobright]

Whos doing the upgrade worth it for the extra ram and better processor? Anything else the pro has the edge on?

Will the new Pro have the same muffled speaker sound that the Air 2 does?

 

[ZBoater]

Did you not see the keynote or the 2000 articles all over the web explaining the differences?

Better screen
Better camera
4 speakers
A9X processors, very slightly underclocked compared to 12.9" model
2GB of RAM

 

[chabig]

Apple pencil support.

 

[Rideherhard]

Speed and power on iOS will not likely be very noticeable from the air 2 to the new pro, the screen will not likely be that noticable as well, the real difference is being able to use Apple Pencil, their keyboard and always on Siri, that's honestly the difference between the air 2 and the new pro...

 

[ZBoater]

You probably won't notice the 4 speakers.

If you're deaf.

 

[UBS28]

You probably won't notice the 4 speakers.

If you're deaf.

I won't notice it because I would never use the onboard speakers in public. Also I have headphones / earphones that are much better.

 

[s2mikey]

Speed and power on iOS will not likely be very noticeable from the air 2 to the new pro, the screen will not likely be that noticable as well, the real difference is being able to use Apple Pencil, their keyboard and always on Siri, that's honestly the difference between the air 2 and the new pro...

Have to agree here. If owned an Air 2 I wouldn't even consider upgrading to the pro. Just not enough tangible upgrades there. True tone screen? Whatever. New chip? Great but it's underclocked. That's so stupid. Same ram which Would have been a tangible upgrade. Speakers? Nice to have but not critical. Pencil support? Only if you care about it and must have it.

Of course, to some the upgrades will seem earth shattering. Go for it then. I don't think so though.

 

[MacBH928]

I am in the same position, if I am lucky enough to sell my iPad Air 2 for $300, then basically I am paying $400 just so I can use the Pencil.

 

[SuperKerem]

Don't even consider it.
Unless you really NEED to use an Apple Pencil.

 

[DNichter]

I am upgrading. Couldn't really tell you why though. I think I just like having the latest stuff. I honestly didn't notice much of a difference from my Air 2 to the 12.9 pro. I preferred the air overall. Going with the 9.7 pro.

 

[ZBoater]

I won't notice it because I would never use the onboard speakers in public. Also I have headphones / earphones that are much better.

So if you don't notice it, then you shouldn't pay for it. Makes sense.

 

[gorkt]

I upgraded with no hesitation.

1) I have had every model of iPad since Gen 1. It is the object in my house that I use the most (more than my phone actually) and for me is worth having the newest version.
2) The RAM thing, as usual, is overblown. Most of the extra RAM on the large pro is to drive the screen so performance between the two models is fairly close and will certainly be more than adequate for the foreseeable future.
3) Pen support, more memory, smart connector, 9x chip, better camera makes this a pretty feature laden upgrade actually compared to past models. The speakers are actually a pretty big deal since I like to watch TV while cooking and it is hard for me to hear sometimes.

 

[jazz1]

I upgraded with no hesitation.

1) I have had every model of iPad since Gen 1. It is the object in my house that I use the most (more than my phone actually) and for me is worth having the newest version.
2) The RAM thing, as usual, is overblown. Most of the extra RAM on the large pro is to drive the screen so performance between the two models is fairly close and will certainly be more than adequate for the foreseeable future.
3) Pen support, more memory, smart connector, 9x chip, better camera makes this a pretty feature laden upgrade actually compared to past models. The speakers are actually a pretty big deal since I like to watch TV while cooking and it is hard for me to hear sometimes.

I there more memory on the new 9.7 iPad Pro than the iPad Air2? I'm not referring to storage, but operating memory.

 

[DNichter]

I there more memory on the new 9.7 iPad Pro than the iPad Air2? I'm not referring to storage, but operating memory.

No, same amount ram. I had the 12.9 for a few days though and couldn't even notice. Actually thought my Air 2 was a bit faster. The 4GB on the 12.9 is mainly for pushing around the higher pixel count. 2GB will be fine on the new pro for at least 2 years in my mind.

 

[jazz1]

No, same amount ram. I had the 12.9 for a few days though and couldn't even notice. Actually thought my Air 2 was a bit faster. The 4GB on the 12.9 is mainly for pushing around the higher pixel count. 2GB will be fine on the new pro for at least 2 years in my mind.

Thanks. Ordered!

 

[SuperKerem]

Thanks. Ordered!

2GB RAM will be a huge limiting factor in a year or two. The iPad Air had 1GB ram and now it's practically a dead device. Wouldn't be surprised if the iPad Pro 9.7 will be the same in 2 years' time.

The iPad Air 2 is a much better device to stay on.

 

[Aluminum213]

Thanks. Ordered!

For the love my run 2GB RAM will quickly show its age, especially with the iPhone 7 rumored to get a RAM bump also

 

[DNichter]

2GB RAM will be a huge limiting factor in a year or two. The iPad Air had 1GB ram and now it's practically a dead device. Wouldn't be surprised if the iPad Pro 9.7 will be the same in 2 years' time.

The iPad Air 2 is a much better device to stay on.

Better is pretty subjective. There are a lot of new features in the 9.7 pro and for some it may be a worthwhile upgrade, me included. I honestly don't see Apple moving to more than 2GB ram in their devices besides the higher resolution ones. I thought extra ram was going to play a factor but it didn't at all on the 12.9. Multitasking/safari tabs worked just as well on the 12.9 as my Air 2.

 

[SuperKerem]

No, same amount ram. I had the 12.9 for a few days though and couldn't even notice. Actually thought my Air 2 was a bit faster. The 4GB on the 12.9 is mainly for pushing around the higher pixel count. 2GB will be fine on the new pro for at least 2 years in my mind.

You have no idea what you're talking about!

The 4GB RAM on the 12.9 is so that Pro applications such as photo and video editing apps can run without any memory related crashes etc.
It in no way will speed up or slow down a device during general usage.

The iPad Pro 9.7 will become unsupported at roughly the same time the Air 2 will. 2GB RAM on the 9.7' is just so that Apple can discontinue it earlier.

The 9.7' has 2 cores while the Air 2 has 3. There is a very marginal performance increase, and pro apps won't perform any better because Apple skimped on the RAM. It would simply be foolish to upgrade to the Pro 9.7' unless you REALLY need the Apple Pencil.
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Better is pretty subjective. There are a lot of new features in the 9.7 pro and for some it may be a worthwhile upgrade, me included. I honestly don't see Apple moving to more than 2GB ram in their devices besides the higher resolution ones. I thought extra ram was going to play a factor but it didn't at all on the 12.9. Multitasking/safari tabs worked just as well on the 12.9 as my Air 2.

It is better considering the price.

The only case in which it will be a worthwhile upgrade is if you can't live without the Apple Pencil.

RAM might not be an issue now, but just wait a year or two and it will really show. The Pro 9.7' is a crippled product once you consider the price.