Apple cuts iPad Air 2 to $399 in wake of 9.7-inch iPad Pro
In a bid to keep sales of the product moving, Apple on Monday slashed the price of the iPad Air 2 by $100, putting the cost of an entry-level 16-gigabyte Wi-Fi model at $399.
Accordingly, the 64-gigabyte Wi-Fi model is now $499 at Apple's online store. Cellular-equipped models are $529 and $629, depending on the amount of storage. Significantly, Apple has dropped the 128-gigabyte option from its lineup, much as it often eliminates high-end storage ranges for older iPhones.
The iPad Air 2 originally launched in late 2014, and features an A8X processor.
Its successor, the 9.7-inch iPad Pro, includes a number of important upgrades such as an A9X chip, a Smart Connector, and Apple Pencil support. It also includes four speaker ports, a color-matching "True Tone" display, and a 12-megapixel rear camera with the first-ever flash module on an iPad.
The new Pro comes in 32-, 128-, and 256-gigabyte capacities, but with the tradeoff of a $599 starter pricetag, $100 more than any previous 9.7-inch iPad.
Accordingly, the 64-gigabyte Wi-Fi model is now $499 at Apple's online store. Cellular-equipped models are $529 and $629, depending on the amount of storage. Significantly, Apple has dropped the 128-gigabyte option from its lineup, much as it often eliminates high-end storage ranges for older iPhones.
The iPad Air 2 originally launched in late 2014, and features an A8X processor.
Its successor, the 9.7-inch iPad Pro, includes a number of important upgrades such as an A9X chip, a Smart Connector, and Apple Pencil support. It also includes four speaker ports, a color-matching "True Tone" display, and a 12-megapixel rear camera with the first-ever flash module on an iPad.
The new Pro comes in 32-, 128-, and 256-gigabyte capacities, but with the tradeoff of a $599 starter pricetag, $100 more than any previous 9.7-inch iPad.
Comments
Ideally:
iPad mini 4 16/64/128 $299/399/499
iPad Air 2 32/64/128 $399/449/549
iPad Pro 32/128/256 $499/649/799
iPad Pro+ add $149
These prices would drive iPad sales and upgrades considerably.
-kp
I agree. I was going to upgrade my ipad mini but at these prices not really worth it. They should have done the base ipad air 2 with 64GB at $399 and I would have bought one. Also the Pro base model should have 64GB. A pro model with 32GB? This looks like positioning just to try and upsell to more storage for higher margins.
I predict the decline in ipads will continue throughout 2016. Apple does not have the advantage of subsidies on tablets or carrier promotions where those carriers still subsidize phones to a substantial degree. Competition is making very good quality tablets at much better price points. At some point there will be sub $100 tablets which accomplish what 99% of the user base want and need. Apple is in a tough spot in this shrinking part of the market.
Corporate buyers love 16gb.
$100 may be stopping them from buying 2 iPads... (the Kid's iPad). The hand me down iPad2 now goes to Liam, who destroys it much more methodically than my 2 year old grandchild
unless you value ease of use, privacy, security, and an ecosystem of great apps and accessories, that is.