Apple iPad Air 2: Six new features

Apple has finally taken the covers off its latest razor-sharp tablet, iPad Air 2. The new model boasts of several changes, including thinner body, new gold colour option, fingerprint scanner, faster processor and better camera.

Let's take a look at the six new features of Apple iPad Air 2 over its predecessor...

1. Thinner body

Apple has shaved a few milimetres off the original iPad Air's thickness and achieved an 18% thinner body for iPad Air 2. The model is just 6.1mm thick and weighs 437grams, making it the sleekest tablet in the market right now.

2. Laminated, anti-glare screen

Though its screen size and resolution remain the same as that of its predecessor, iPad Air 2 one major upgrade is in the display department. The screen is thinner this time around as Apple has fused three layers (touch sensor, LCD panel and cover glass) into one fully-laminated layer, which results in vibrant colours and greater contrast.

Apple has also added an anti-glare coating on the screen of iPad Air 2 and claims that it reduces glare by 56%, thus making it the least reflective tablet in the world.

3. 40% faster processor

Apple says that iPad Air 2's A8X processor, which is based on 64-bit chipset architecture, delivers better performance than its predecessor without sacrificing the battery life. The chip processes applications 40% faster and renders graphics 2.5 times faster, but still ensures average battery life of 10 hours.

4. Touch ID fingerprint sensor

Touch ID fingerprint sensor, which was restricted to iPhones so far, finally makes its way to Apple's tablet lineup with iPad Air 2. It can be used to not only unlock the tablet, but also to authorize passwords within apps and purchase/download content via iTunes, iBooks and App Store. As it works with the new Apple Pay technology, it can be used to make online payments via a swipe of the finger.

5. 8MP camera

iPad Air 3 is the only tablet in Apple's portfolio to sport an 8MP rear camera. The camera can record 1080p, time-lapse and slow-motion videos, capture 43MP panorama photos and, finally, also offer Burst mode.

The front camera of iPad Air 2 has a larger aperture compared to its predecessor at f/2.2, thus letting in 81% more light for better video calls even under low-light conditions.

6. Gold colour option

For the first time, Apple is providing the gold colour option in an iPad. Just like iPhone 5S, 6 and 6 Plus, the iPad Air 2 has a pale gold hue. Other colour options for iPad Air 3 are silver and space gray.