What are all the differences between the iPad Air 2 models?

The iPad Air 2 models have been discontinued. However, this Q&A has been updated subsequently with current iOS support details and more. It can be particularly useful for anyone buying or selling one of these models on the used market.

There only are two iPad Air 2 models -- the iPad Air 2 (Wi-Fi Only) and iPad Air 2 (Wi-Fi/Cellular) -- which differ in connectivity, battery life, identifiers, and price. There are many similarities that can be useful to review, too.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPad Air 2 - "Space Gray" Back, Gold Back, White Front)

Device Similarities

Both iPad Air 2 models use essentially the same "thinner than a pencil" case design -- with thin bezels on the sides of the display and thicker bezels on the top and bottom of the display (when held in portrait orientation) -- and weigh a bit less than one pound.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPad Air 2 - Right Side)

Color options include a white front and silver colored back, a white front and gold colored back, or a black front and "Space Gray" back.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPad Air 2 Color Options - Silver, Gold & Space Gray)

Both iPad Air 2 models also pack the same "fully laminated" 9.7-Inch 2048x1536 (264 ppi) LED-backlit IPS "Retina" display with an anti-reflective coating. As first reported by PassMark and confirmed by AnandTech, the iPad Air 2 models are powered by a 1.5 GHz, three core, Apple A8X processor, and have an M8 motion coprocessor, an Apple/PVR GXA6850 graphics processor, 2 GB of RAM, and can be configured with 16 GB, 64 GB, or 128 GB (but not 32 GB) of storage.

Both iPad Air 2 models likewise have the same front and rear mounted cameras. Specifically, they have a rear-mounted 8 megapixel "iSight" camera with an f/2.4 aperture that can both shoot still photos and 30 FPS 1080p video and a front-mounted 1.2 megapixel "FaceTime HD" camera that can shoot still photos and shoot video up to 720p.

Other identical features include a "Touch ID" fingerprint sensor, a "Lightning" port for power and connecting the device to a computer, if desired, support for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz 802.11ac HT80 with MIMO Wi-Fi (backwards compatible with 802.11a/b/g/n), Bluetooth 4.0, and built-in speakers and dual microphones. In addition to the standard assortment of iPad sensors -- an accelerometer, three-axis gyroscope, ambient light sensor, and digital compass -- the iPad Air 2 models also add a barometer.

iOS Support Similarities

The iPad Air 2 models both originally shipped with iOS 8.1 and are fully supported by the final version of iOS 8 in addition to iOS 9 with the exception of the "Health" functionality. They fully support iOS 10 with the exception of the minor "Raise to Wake" and Ride-Booking features. The iPad Air 2 supports iOS 11, iOS 12, iOS 13 (iPadOS), iPadOS 14, and iPadOS 15.

The iPad Air 2 does not support iPadOS 16 or later versions of the iPadOS, including the current version of the operating system.

It is worth noting that the iPad Air 2 fully supports iOS 13 with the exception of the Adjust Portrait Lighting and "High-Key Mono" photography features as well as the modest AR features of Motion Capture and People Occlusion.

The iPad Air 2 is supported by iPadOS 14, but it does not support a number of advanced features (ARKit Depth API and Location Anchors, AR RealityKit Video Textures, Spatial Audio via AirPods Pro and On-Device Dictation).

Finally, when running iPadOS 15, the iPad Air 2 does not support a significant number of advanced features (Spatial Audio, Portrait Mode, 3D Landmarks, Interactive Globe, Live Text in Photos, Live Text Translation, and Visual Look Up as well as Universal Control).

These models support Apple Pay, also, but only for apps and not for use within retail stores.

Identification Differences

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPad Air 2 -- Wi-Fi Only, Left; Wi-Fi/Cellular, Right)

At the time of introduction, it was simple to differentiate between the iPad Air 2 (Wi-Fi Only) -- on the left -- and the iPad Air 2 (Wi-Fi/Cellular) -- on the right -- because the cellular capable model has a plastic portion at the top of its aluminum case. It also is simple to differentiate between these models and the original iPad Air models because the iPad Air 2 has a icon-less "Touch ID" home button.

However, as subsequent iPad models look similar, visual identification is not a good long-term method.

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 2 (Wi-Fi Only) is model number A1566 and the iPad Air 2 (Wi-Fi/Cellular) is model number A1567.

The iPad Air 2 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 2 in gold with 16 GB of storage is MH0W2LL/A.

To pinpoint an exact iPad Air 2 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 iPad Air 2 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 2 (Wi-Fi Only) (A1566) supports 802.11ac (backwards compatible with 802.11a/b/g/n) on both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies (dual channel) as well as HT80 with MIMO.

The iPad Air 2 (Wi-Fi/Cellular) (A1567) supports the same Wi-Fi as the Wi-Fi Only model, but also supports LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 38, 39, 40, and 41), CDMA EV-DO Rev. A and Rev. B (800, 1900 MHz), GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz) and UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz). Unlike the Wi-Fi Only model, it supports A-GPS, too.

The cellular capable model (A1567) is shipped unlocked. In the US, this single iPad Air 2 model supports AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon.

In the US and UK, if purchased from Apple or an Apple Authorized Reseller -- like site sponsor Adorama -- the cellular capable iPad Air 2 also shipped with a new "Apple SIM" that is designed to support multiple carriers via a single Apple-issued Nano SIM card, but in practice it has a frustrating list of limitations imposed by some carriers.

Pricing Comparison Chart

All iPad Air 2 color options cost the same amount. Pricing is differentiated by capacity and connectivity alone.

As introduced, the iPad Air 2 sold at these price points:

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

On March 21, 2016, Apple discontinued the 128 GB option for the iPad Air 2 and cut the price of the remaining configurations by US$100 each:

March 2016 Capacity:	16 GB	64 GB
March 2016 Wi-Fi Only Price:	US$399	US$499
March 2016 Wi-Fi/Cellular & A-GPS Price:	US$529	US$629

Finally, on September 7, 2016, Apple introduced a 32 GB option and re-introduced the 128 GB option:

Current Capacity:	32 GB	128 GB
Current Wi-Fi Only Price:	US$399	US$499
Current Wi-Fi/Cellular & A-GPS Price:	US$529	US$629

These models were discontinued altogether on March 21, 2017.

For original 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

Essentially, at the time of its introduction, the iPad Air 2 models represented the ultimate Apple tablets available (although subsequent iPad models are better still). The ultrathin design, antiglare screen, fast performance, fast Wi-Fi, and "Touch ID" functionality all were welcomed enhancements compared to the original iPad Air. The much more global LTE coverage provided by the cellular capable iPad Air 2 and its Apple SIM is a nice plus, too.

Because it no longer supports the current version of the iPadOS, app support will continue to wane and most users now will be better served with an iPad that supports a newer, ideally current, version of the operating system. However, for someone with a tight budget and modest needs, the iPad Air 2 may remain usable for a while longer.

iPad Air 2 Purchase & Sale Options

There are no shortage of companies that sell the iPad Air 2. 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).