Apple iPad Air and New iPad Mini Preview – Specs and Features

There’s two times during the year when almost all of the tech world is focused on Apple. The first is during the iPhone event, and the second is during the iPad event. This year’s iPad event was anticipated more feverishly because everyone pretty much knew that all of the great new internals from the iPhone 5S would make their way into at least one variant of the iPad, but what they didn’t know, is that Apple was looking to entirely refresh the bestselling iPad. Read on for more about the newly announced iPad Air and New iPad Mini!

Recommended: Apple Launches iPhone 5C and iPhone 5S – Specs, Features and Details

Apple iPad Air – Specs and Features

The best selling tablet in the world just got better, both in terms of design and internals! Now named iPad Air, the full sized 9.7 inch screened tablet has got an overhaul to match the new iOS 7 under the hood. Apple has dropped the number designation, and redesigned it to look similar to the iPad Mini. The flat back design with metallic finish is complimented by a much thinner and lighter profile. Weighing in at only 470 gm, it’s almost 200 gm lighter than its predecessor and is just 7.5 mm thick, compared to 9.5 mm previously. Screen resolution remains same, but the internals have been bumped up to match the iPhone 5S. A lighter and thinner iPad obviously means a smaller battery, but Apple claims that it will still offer the same 10 hours of battery life as the older model. Impressive indeed! Here’s the full specsheet:

• SoC: Apple A7
• CPU: 1.4 GHz dual core Cyclone
• GPU: PowerVR G6430
• RAM: 1 GB RAM
• Storage: 16/32/64/128 GB, non expandable expandable
• Screen: 9.7 inch LCD IPS screen, 1536 x 2048 px (264 ppi)
• Camera: 5 MP rear facing iSight camera (1080P video recording), 1.2 MP front facing camera (720P video recording)
• Connectivity: Bluetooth v4.0, Wi-Fi, Lightning port, 3G, 4G LTE

The new iPad Air should be available by November 2013 worldwide, in the following prices and variants:

• 16 GB WiFi Only – $499
• 32GB WiFi Only – $599
• 64GB WiFi Only – $699
• 128 GB WiFi Only – $799

• 16 GB WiFi + LTE – $629
• 32GB WiFi + LTE – $729
• 64GB WiFi + LTE – $829
• 128 GB WiFi + LTE – $929

Apple iPad Mini With Retina Display – Specs and Features

Apple’s smaller and cheaper tablet used to have slightly lower specs compared to its bigger 9.7 inch screened sibling, but not anymore. In the new iPad Mini with Retina Display, as the name suggests, there’s not only a high resolution screen, but also upgraded internals. Using the same powerful 64 bit Apple A7 chip from the iPhone 5S and iPad Air, the iPad Mini just got a shot of steroids. Unlike the iPad Air though, it’s gotten slightly heavier to accommodate for the better screen and larger battery, both of which are welcome. However, there’s also a $100 bump in price, so it’s sort of veering away from budget tablet territory, where most of its competitors, like the new Google Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire HDX lie. Check out the full specsheet:

• SoC: Apple A7
• CPU: 1.3 GHz dual core Cyclone
• GPU: PowerVR G6430
• RAM: 1 GB RAM
• Storage: 16/32/64/128 GB, non expandable expandable
• Screen: 7.9 inch LCD IPS screen, 1536 x 2048 px (324 ppi)
• Camera: 5 MP rear facing iSight camera (1080P video recording), 1.2 MP front facing camera (720P video recording)
• Connectivity: Bluetooth v4.0, Wi-Fi, Lightning port, 3G, 4G LTE

Similar to its bigger brother, expect the iPad Mini with Retina Display to hit stores by November 2013 in the following variants:

• 16 GB WiFi Only – $399
• 32GB WiFi Only – $499
• 64GB WiFi Only – $599
• 128 GB WiFi Only – $699

• 16 GB WiFi + LTE – $529
• 32GB WiFi + LTE – $629
• 64GB WiFi + LTE – $729
• 128 GB WiFi + LTE – $829

Curiously, the rumored TouchID feature is absent on both the iPad Air and iPad Mini with Retina Display, both of which stick to the good ol’ Home button. Nonetheless, they’re still some of the best tablets in the market today, and the holiday launch is sure to be a hit. What do you think of the new range of iPads? Still the best, or just getting long in the tooth? Drop us a line with your views!