iPad Air 2 Review: The Thinnest Tablet Apple Has Ever Made

The second iPad Air is the thinnest tablet Apple has ever made. It's a great device to see and use, but is it really innovative? Check it out in this iPad Air 2 review!

The iPad Air 2 is the successor to Air released by Apple in 2013 and is the new flagship in the company's tablet line. The most important innovation is the fact that the tablet is a lot thinner than before. In fact, it's the thinnest iPad ever made by Cupertino. The iPad series had many years of glory, but lately it's getting less and less successful with the previously popular tablet series. The question is, of course, whether and how the iPad Air 2 can change.

Design: even thinner

The iPad Air 2 is thin, very thin. He is about 18 percent thinner than his predecessor and measures only 6.1 millimeters. For a tablet, this is excellent, especially if you check that relatively many components are needed to control the demanding screen. In addition, the device weighs 437 grams and thus it is easy to hold it with one hand. The Air 2 also features the same aluminum, premium look we know of all other Apple products. The backside is smooth but not too smooth so that when you hold it, you rarely have the feeling that it glides out of your hand.

The layout of the buttons is the same as that of the previous iPad Air. At the top we find the power button, left and left the volume buttons and left are left unused. At the bottom of the device we find the speakers and the Lightning connector.

The design of the iPad Air 2 is really high and there are only few tablets on the market that look so beautiful. Apple has chosen to release the Air 2 in three colors: spacegrijs, silver and gold. We already know these from the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus and look great on tablet size. If you want to personalize and protect the Air 2, you can of course choose to buy a cover. Nevertheless, you do not have to worry that the iPad quickly displays scratches or dents, because the housing feels firm.

Screen: As of old, high quality

In addition to their advanced design, the iPads are also known for their excellent screen. Since the iPad 3, the displays use so-called Retina displays. Thanks to the 2048 high screen resolution at 1536 pixels, web pages, movies and photos are incredibly good. The iPad Air 2 has the same screen resolution, but as the display is closer to the glass, everything looks sharper, more colorful and brighter.

Also, Apple has an anti-reflection coating that reduces the image when you're outside. In our tests, we notice that the screen indeed reflects less, but mirroring is still present. Nevertheless, the Air 2, especially in combination with high brightness, is ideal for outdoor use.

Hardware: Big upgrade by A8X

The original iPad Air was soon, but Apple has chosen to develop a new processor for its successor: the A8X chip. This is a significant improvement over the A7 chip we found in the original iPad Air. The chip is based on 64 bit architecture, which means that the Air 2 can appeal to more memory and, in theory, is a lot faster than 32 bit variants. Whether you notice a lot about it, especially on a mobile device like a tablet, is the question, but it's good to know that, thanks to its fast hardware, the iPad Air 2 works smoothly for years. Additionally, TouchID add-on , the fingerprint scanner with which you can protect the tablet and various apps, adds.

The A8X chip is 40% faster and graphically 2.5 times more powerful than its predecessor, and the latter marks you with visually demanding apps. Apps like Epic Zen Garden and Asphalt 8 both turn like a sun on the new iPad and look gorgeous. When you're a casual user and use a tablet to stream videos on YouTube, tracking your email or browser on the web, you'll have a good Air 2. The tablet instantly opens apps and performs virtually any task effortlessly. It's remarkable what Apple's (graphics) performance today can take from a tablet and the iPad Air 2 is an impressive example of it.

Software: Fluent, but not flawless

By default, the new iPad Air is running on iOS 8.1 . Although Apple has repeatedly stated that the latest version of its mobile operating system is the most advanced to date, iOS 8 is still not completely bug free. We still find crazy mistakes, even though they are less present than a few weeks ago. It's a matter of time until all of them are pinned away and we will have a completely flawless experience with iOS again. 

The iPad Air 2 is also fully used by iOS 8 with the continuity features, the most comprehensive update of the latest operating system, which helps Apple devices work better together. This is mainly driven by iCloud and your Apple ID. Due to its light design and smooth internal hardware, the Air 2 is very suitable for connecting multiple devices. For example, Handoff, which allows you to pick up things that you started on another device, is excellent, and collaboration is almost always flawless.

The most noticeable feature is that you can now call the iPad Air 2. By connecting the tablet via Bluetooth and an Apple ID with your iPhone, you can record and start conversations. Also, text messages can be read and answered on the iPad Ar 2. These features are not unique to the Air 2 because they work as well on an iPhone or Mac, but are a nice addition, especially if you have multiple Apple devices home.

Camera and battery life

Although at first glance it looks awkward and crazy, a lot of iPad owners like photos with their tablet. A few weeks ago, the new iPhones already featured better cameras and an upgrade for the Air 2 variant could not be left out. The latest generation of iPad family has got an 8 megapixel camera, a significant improvement over the first 5 megapixel camera. Photos are sharp, colorful and are easy to shoot and edit as you get used to Apple.

Thanks to iOS 8, there are plenty of options available in the standard Camera app that allow you to use the Air 2 camera. Just like on your iPhone, you simply create a timelapse or slow motion video, and you can also create panoramic photos next to a normal photo. All of this is a lot easier on the tablet because the larger screen simply gives you more space to work. The iPad Air 2 really meets all the requirements to easily get a good picture and that's a nice accessory. 

Many Apple fans had in advance some doubts with the Air 2, because the thinner design might have a negative impact on battery life. However, Apple has managed to implement a prime battery in the device, which ensures that the 10-hour battery life is guaranteed. Although such a long battery life is no longer so impressive today, the Air 2 scores well in this area. The standby time is excellent and even in heavy use, the tablet goes on for several days.

Conclusion iPad Air 2 Review

The iPad Air 2 makes expectations even though it is less innovative than its predecessor. The tablet has become a little slower and does not make any concessions regarding battery life and performance. The screen is excellent and looks very sharp and colorful. The improved internal hardware makes the tablet flying fast, and especially graphic, performance is definitely impressive. All of this makes the iPad Air 2 the best tablet Apple has ever made, although it does not really make new things revolutionary.