What are all the differences between the original iPad Air models?

Please note that the original iPad Air models have been discontinued. However, this Q&A has been subsequently updated with up-to-date iOS support details and more and can be quite helpful for anyone buying or selling one of these models on the used market.

There are three different original iPad Air models -- the iPad Air (Wi-Fi Only), iPad Air (Wi-Fi/Cellular), and iPad Air (Wi-Fi/TD-LTE/Cellular - China) -- which differ primarily in connectivity, battery life, and price.

However, there also are identification differences that are important to note as well as many similarities that can be worthwhile to review, also.

Device Similarities

All original iPad Air models use essentially the same thin, roughly one pound design with thinner bezels to the sides of the display and thicker bezels above and below the display (when held upright in portrait orientation).

Color options include either a white front and a silver back or a black front and a medium-toned gunmetal gray that Apple refers to as "Space Gray."

All original iPad Air models also have the same 9.7-inch 2048x1536 (264 ppi) LED-backlit "Retina" display with IPS technology, are powered by the same dual core Apple A7 processor that AnandTech first determined specifically is a 1.4 GHz, 28 nm ARMv8 derivative of Apple's "Swift" architecture called "Cyclone," and have an M7 motion coprocessor and 1 GB of RAM. Both models originally could be configured with 16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB, or 128 GB of storage, but currently are available only with 16 GB or 32 GB new from Apple.

All models likewise have dual cameras -- a rear-mounted 5 megapixel "iSight" camera with a f/2.4 aperture that can take both still photos and 1080p video up to 30 FPS with audio and a front-mounted 1.2 megapixel "FaceTime HD" camera that can take still photos and shoot video up to 720p.

Other identical features include the "Lightning" port for power and connecting the device to a computer, if desired, support for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz 802.11n MIMO Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 in addition to the standard iPad accelerometer, three-axis gyroscope, ambient light sensor, digital compass, and built-in speakers and dual microphones.

iOS Support Similarities

The original iPad Air initially shipped with iOS 7.0.3 and are fully supported by the operating system with the exception of the "Panorama" and "Filters in Camera" photographic features.

All other basic iOS 7 features are fully supported (Control Center, Notification Center, and Multitasking, as well as Safari and iTunes Radio). The iPad Air also supports Siri, AirDrop, Filters in Photos, and more advanced photo functionality that Apple formally refers to as "square and video formats and swipe to capture."

Likewise, the original iPad Air models also are almost fully supported by iOS 8 with the exception of the "Health" and "Apple Pay" features. Interestingly, Apple quietly added Panorama support for the original iPad Air with the iOS 8.0.2 update, also. They also are nearly fully supported by iOS 9, only lacking support for "Split View" multitasking.

They also are supported by iOS 10, but do not support the minor "Raise to Wake" and Ride-Booking features. They are supported by iOS 11 and iOS 12, too, but do not support later or current versions of the operating system at all.

Identification Differences

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPad Air -- Wi-Fi Only, Left; Wi-Fi/Cellular, Right)

Originally, it was simple to visually differentiate between the iPad Air (Wi-Fi Only) -- on the left -- and the iPad Air (Wi-Fi/Cellular) -- on the right -- as the back of the cellular capable model has a plastic portion at the top of the aluminum case.

However, the iPad Air (Wi-Fi/TD-LTE/Cellular - China) has a plastic portion at the top of the case, as well, so it is not possible to visually differentiate between the "global" model and its China Mobile counterpart.

Although the iPad Air has a unique case design compared to its predecessors, it also is worth noting that neither model actually is branded as "iPad Air" on the back, just "iPad" like other models.

Regardless of branding, though, subsequent iPad models use similar housings and visual identification is not a good solution, particularly as the Chinese model makes its way around the globe on the secondary market.

Consequently, one of the best methods for external identification is via Model Number. Model numbers are provided in tiny type toward the bottom of the back of each iPad.

Specifically, the iPad Air (Wi-Fi Only) is model number A1474, the iPad Air (Wi-Fi/Cellular) is model number A1475, and the iPad Air (Wi-Fi/TD-LTE/Cellular - China) is model number A1476.

The iPad Air models can be differentiated by other identifiers as well, such as the Order Number, which can be located by selecting the Settings app and pressing General > About and scrolling down to what is specified as "Model" within the iOS. For example, the Wi-Fi only configuration of the iPad Air in black with 16 GB of storage is MD785LL/A.

To pinpoint an exact iPad Air by a variety of different identifiers -- including its Serial Number -- please refer to the Ultimate iLookup feature.

Connectivity & Battery Life Differences

As noted above, the original iPad Air models mostly are differentiated by connectivity and battery life. While using Wi-Fi, both models support a maximum of ten hours of runtime, but the cellular data capable model only supports a maximum of nine hours of runtime when using cellular connectivity.

The iPad Air (Wi-Fi Only) (A1474) supports 802.11a/b/g/n on both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies (dual band) as well as MIMO.

The iPad Air (Wi-Fi/Cellular) (A1475) has the same Wi-Fi capabilities as the Wi-Fi Only model, but also supports LTE (bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, and 26), CDMA EV-DO Rev. A and Rev. B (800, 1900 MHz), GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz) and UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz). It supports A-GPS, too.

Finally, the iPad Air (Wi-Fi/TD-LTE/Cellular - China) (A1476) also has the same Wi-Fi and A-GPS capabilities as its global counterpart, but it supports UMTS (WCDMA)/HSPA+/ DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz), GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz), TD-SCDMA (1900 (F), 2000 (A)), and TD-LTE (bands 38 and 39). Note that it does not support the 1700/2100 MHz frequency of DC-HSDPA, CDMA EV-DO Rev. A (800 and 1900 MHz), or other LTE bands.

The global cellular capable model (A1475) is shipped unlocked and supports AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon in the US. The physical procedure to switch between carriers is little more than popping out the Nano SIM card and popping in another one, but some carriers still may require activation or configuration before the iPad will work properly -- or at all -- on their network.

Most critically, as first reported by PCMag:

Sprint will only activate unlocked iPads purchased directly from Apple, where the owner requested a "universal part" rather than a specific carrier unit. . . Unlike the three other large carriers, Sprint isn't required to activate all compatible LTE devices, and the carrier won't accept devices with the other carriers' part numbers.

As noted earlier, EveryiPad.com makes it easy to lookup a carrier-specific iPad Air "Model" in the iOS. For example, the 128 GB configuration in "Space Gray" on AT&T is MF015LL/A. Presumably, Sprint would not activate this model on their network, which could become an issue on the used market should someone be interested in using Sprint.

Pricing Comparison Chart

Both iPad Air color options cost the same amount. Pricing is differentiated by capacity and connectivity alone.

Original Prices

When introduced on October 22, 2013, The original iPad Air models were priced accordingly:

Capacity:	16 GB	32 GB	64 GB	128 GB
Wi-Fi Only Price:	US$499	US$599	US$699	US$799
Wi-Fi/Cellular & A-GPS Price:	US$629	US$729	US$829	US$929

Final Prices

On October 16, 2014, Apple discontinued the 64 GB and 128 GB configurations of the original iPad Air and cut the price of the remaining configurations:

Final iPad Air Capacity:	16 GB	32 GB	64 GB	128 GB
Final Price with Wi-Fi:	US$399	US$449	--	--
Final Price with Wi-Fi, Cellular & A-GPS:	US$529	US$579	--	--

On March 21, 2016, Apple discontinued the original iPad Air altogether.

The iPad Air (Wi-Fi/TD-LTE/Cellular - China) (A1476) was sold only in mainland China and is intended for use on China Mobile. Originally, 16 GB was RMB 4,488, 32 GB was RMB 5,188, 64 GB was RMB 5,888, and 128 GB was RMB 6,588. The 16 GB and 32 GB configurations were reduced to RMB 3,788 and 4,188, respectively, on October 16, 2014, and discontinued entirely on March 21, 2016.

For pricing details in dozens of other countries, please refer to the iPad specs page for the device of interest as well as EveryiPad.com's Global Original Prices section.

Comparison Summary

Although it no longer supports the current version of the iOS and current app support will start to wane accordingly, the iPad Air still could be worth considering for someone with modest expectations.

Most users would be better off with a newer iPad these days, but at the time it was introduced, the iPad Air offered substantially faster performance in a slimmer, lighter, and arguably more attractive housing than its predecessors. The global cellular capable model also provides much more significant LTE support in a single device than earlier models.

iPad Air Purchase & Sale Options

There are no shortage of companies to patronize for an iPad Air. However, purchasing from a quality business with extensive Apple knowledge -- and after sales support -- will provide the best experience and save you money and time, too.

In the US, site sponsor Adorama sells new iPad Air models with free shipping. Other World Computing sells used and refurb iPad Air models at bargain prices with free shipping, as well. Finally, if you need to sell an iPad, A+ BBB-rated Cash for Your Mac and GoRoostr will buy your older iPad with an instant quote and prompt payment.

In the UK, site sponsor Hoxton Macs has a large number of used and refurbished iPad models with a one-year warranty and free next day delivery throughout the UK. Delivery across Europe also is available starting at just £9.99 for two-day delivery to France and Germany.

Please also see EveryiPad.com's Ultimate iComparison feature to dynamically compare any iPad to any other iPod, iPhone, or iPad (new or old alike).