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James Martin/CNET
Apple on Thursday announced updates to its line of iPad tablets. The iPad Air 2 is only 6.1mm thick, which is 18 percent thinner than last year’s iPad Air, and includes an anti-reflective coating on the display. The tablet is equipped with a faster A8X 64-bit chip, an improved 8-megapixel camera and a Touch ID fingerprint scanner in the home button.
The company also announced an update to the iPad Mini. The new iPad Mini 3 is nearly identical to last year’s iPad Mini 2 tablet (they share the same processor and camera), although the newer model has also added the Touch ID fingerprint scanner to the home button.
Here’s everything you need to know about getting your hands on Apple’s new tablet:
Pricing
iPad pricing
| iPad Air 2 | iPad Mini 3 | |
| US retail price | Wi-Fi: $500 (16GB), $600 (64GB) and $700 (128GB); Wi-Fi with cellular: $630 (16GB), $730 (64GB) and $830 (128GB) | Wi-Fi: $400 (16GB), $500 (64GB) and $600 (128GB); Wi-Fi with cellular: $530 (16GB), $630 (64GB) and $730 (128GB) |
| UK retail price | Wi-Fi: £400 (16GB), £480 (64GB), and £560 (128GB); Wi-Fi with cellular: £500 (16GB), £580 (64GB) and £660 (128GB) | Wi-Fi: £320 (16GB), £400 (64GB), and £480 (128GB); Wi-Fi with cellular: £420 (16GB), £500 (64GB) and £580 (128GB) |
| AU retail price | Wi-Fi: AU$620 (16GB), AU$740 (64GB) and AU$860 (128GB); Wi-Fi with cellular: AU$780 (16GB), AU$900 (64GB) and AU$1,020 (128GB) | Wi-Fi: AU$500 (16GB), AU$620 (64GB) and AU$740 (128GB); Wi-Fi with cellular: AU$660 (16GB), AU$780 (64GB) and AU$900 (128GB) |
Apple
Both the iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3 can be preordered in 29 countries and territories, including the US, UK, and Australia, on Friday, October 17. The tablets will be available for purchase on Apple’s website and in retail stores later next week.
Carriers
Verizon iPad Air 2 pricing
| 16GB | 64GB | 128GB | |
| Two-year contract | $530 | $630 | $730 |
| Monthly installment (24 months) | $26.24 | $30.41 | $34.58 |
Verizon iPad Mini 3 pricing
| 16GB | 64GB | 128GB | |
| Two-year contract | $430 | $530 | $630 |
| Monthly installment (24 months) | $22.08 | $26.24 | $30.41 |
AT&T iPad Air 2 pricing
| 16GB | 64GB | 128GB | |
| Two-year contract | $530 | $630 | $730 |
| Monthly installment (20 months) | $31.50 | $36.50 | $41.50 |
AT&T iPad Mini 3 pricing
| 16GB | 64GB | 128GB | |
| Two-year contract | $430 | $530 | $630 |
| Monthly installment (20 months) | $26.50 | $31.50 | $36.50 |
Sprint and T-Mobile will also offer both of Apple’s new iPads online and in stores. As part of a new promotional campaign, Sprint will waive monthly tablet access charges through 2015. T-Mobile will begin accepting preorders for the iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3 on October 22. The carrier has the 16GB model of both tablets listed on its website for $0 down and payments of $22.08 for 24 months, although we suspect the iPad Air 2 pricing to possibly be a glitch.
This article will be updated as more pricing information is available from Sprint and T-Mobile.
Retailers
In the past, retailers such as RadioShack and Best Buy have also offered Apple’s new tablets in stores and online, and sometimes at discounted prices.
Target has the tablets available now for preorder in stores and online. The 16GB iPad Air 2 is available for $499, while the 16GB iPad Mini 3 can be had for $399.
Walmart is offering both the iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3 online and in stores for $10 less than Apple and other retailers. The iPad Air 2 with 16GB of storage is available for $489 and the iPad Mini 3 with 16GB of storage for $389.
Tim Stevens/CNET
Storage and color
The iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3 will be available in either Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi/4G LTE models with 16GB, 64GB or 128GB of storage. Apple’s tablets will be offered in silver with a white front, gold with a white front, and space gray with a black front.
Updated Sunday, October 20, at 10:30 a.m. PT: Carrier pricing information for Verizon and AT&T has been added, as well as pricing from WalMart and Target.
