Two years ago they introduced it and like last year they retired its predecessor, this time They could remove the iPad Air 2 from the Apple Store catalog, although this is somewhat strange, since a new generation is not expected for this device or any news about it. Would we only stay with the Pro range that exceeds € 679 in its basic 32Gb version?
Let's see everything that is happening with some of the large distributors, what the rumors say and the near future for the tablets of our friends from Cupertino.
The misstep for the iPad Air
With the Macbook range we have a cheaper and outdated Air version when it comes to design. On the other hand, the normal range, lighter and more beautiful, although a little higher in price. Finally the Macbook Pro, for more demanding users and focused on something more professional for editing and other work. The same could happen with iPads. Different sizes and different ranges, which should differ in more than price. It makes sense, yes, but we don't know what Apple is planning and we haven't seen any rumors about it. Everything indicates that there will be no new iPads in this keynote, but a small update to the Air 2 may be necessary.
Delete or update. That is what they face both with the Macbook Air and with the iPad Air 2. These products no longer make sense in terms of light and thin devices, since other ranges are equal to or better than this. The only light thing they present is the price, much cheaper, or better said, affordable, than the most current models. If Apple removes the Air 2 from its stores, it will be showing us a catalog of iPad Mini, Pro 9,7 and Pro 12,9, and the jump is very large, going from approximately € 300 to almost € 700.
Perhaps what they need is to lower the price of the Pro, which is a bit high, and eliminate both the Mini and the Air, or launch a new iPad Air 3 for users who are not going to use either the Apple Pencil or the Smart Keyboard, and who are not willing to pay the price of a laptop to buy a tablet. The truth is that it is a fantastic device, but too expensive.
The death of the iPad Air 2
To this day, this is still a very good generation and even this summer both we and other internet blogs have been recommending it for a specific sector of users. I bought it myself last Christmas in its 64Gb version and it is my work team, from which I write and from which I do almost everything. Nevertheless, it will be 2 years since it went on sale and Apple might choose to remove it from its catalog, which is scaring large distributors and stores a bit.
Some stores show us their empty catalogs regarding the iPad Air 2. Sold, but out of stock. This, two or three days after the keynote, is quite suspicious and gives food for thought. We do not think they have exclusive information on Apple's keynote or that they know what the bitten apple will present next, but just in case they are treading on safe. The iPad Air 2 will be back in stock after the keynote, but not these days. It is likely that if Apple announces any new tablets or Air 3, these distributors will change their plans and also stop selling the 2014 generation.
Be that as it may, the most recent KGI report announces that this year they are focusing on the iPhone 7, the Apple Watch 2 and other news that we will talk about in a post about what we will see in the keynote. The real change in iPads would come in 2017 with important hardware news and an operating system with more and better features that little by little boost the use and usefulness of all iPad Pro.