Apple unveiled its slimmest iPad yet, the iPad Air 2, at a highly anticipated event on October 16th.

The updated iPad boasts an enhanced Retina display for improved contrast, a richer color palette, and superior cameras. Available in gold, alongside the classic silver and space gray, both the iPad Air 2 and the new iPad mini 3 feature Touch ID. In the US, these models will also offer Apple Pay, a new payment system.

According to Philip Schiller, Apple’s Senior VP of Worldwide Marketing, “The new iPad Air 2 is a remarkably thin and light device, weighing less than a pound and measuring a mere 6.1 mm, making it the thinnest tablet globally. Packed with over 675,000 apps specifically designed for iPad, it remains comfortable to hold all day.” He further highlighted the iPad Air 2’s impressive features, including “a new Retina display with anti-reflective coating, a second-generation 64-bit A8X chip, all-new iSight and FaceTime HD cameras, faster Wi-Fi and LTE wireless connectivity, and the revolutionary Touch ID fingerprint sensor.”

Initial reactions on Twitter to the device were favorable, particularly praising the improved cameras and the fingerprint unlock feature. The addition of a gold color option was also well-received. However, there were some humorous remarks questioning if the device would bend in a pocket, alluding to similar concerns raised about the recently released iPhones.

Designed for portability and user-friendliness, the iPad Air 2 features a seamless anodized aluminum body. Its enhanced Retina display incorporates a custom-designed anti-reflective coating that reduces glare by 56 percent compared to its predecessor. The new Apple-designed A8X chip delivers a 40% boost in CPU performance and 2.5 times the graphics performance of the original iPad Air, all while maintaining a 10-hour battery life.

Apple asserts that the A8X chip, coupled with the new Metal graphics technology in iOS 8, enables the iPad Air 2 to produce console-quality visuals. Furthermore, the device houses the M8 motion coprocessor. This component gathers motion data from various sensors, including an all-new barometer that measures air pressure to determine relative elevation.

The iSight and FaceTime HD cameras have also seen substantial improvements. The iSight camera, equipped with an 8MP sensor and advanced optics, captures high-quality images and unlocks new features such as panoramic photos, time-lapse video, slow-motion recording, and 1080p HD video. The FaceTime HD camera now captures 80% more light than its predecessor and includes features like burst mode, HDR stills, and HDR video recording.

The iPad Air 2 boasts significantly faster connectivity. Its 802.11ac Wi-Fi with Multiple-In-Multiple-Out (MIMO) technology delivers up to 866 Mbps, making it 2.8 times faster than the original iPad Air. The Wi-Fi + Cellular model supports even more LTE bands for up to 50% faster cellular connections and offers broader compatibility with fast cellular technologies worldwide, including DC-HSDPA and HSPA+.

Touch ID offers iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3 users a simple and secure way to unlock their devices with a single touch. It enhances security by allowing users to authenticate within apps, protecting their logins and data. Furthermore, Touch ID enables secure App Store, iTunes Store, and iBooks Store purchases and, with Apple Pay, facilitates secure payments for goods and services within apps.

The new iPads ship with iOS 8.1, introducing Continuity features designed to create a seamless experience across iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite. Handoff enables users to start an activity on one Apple device and transition it seamlessly to another. When connected to the same Wi-Fi network, users can make and receive phone calls directly from their iPads.

Available for pre-order, both iPad models will be available for purchase starting next week in Australia, mainland China (Wi-Fi models only), Hong Kong, Japan, Macau (Wi-Fi models only), New Zealand, and Singapore. Availability will expand to Turkey, the UAE, and other regions by the end of October, with further global releases planned in the coming months. iPads can be purchased through Apple’s website, retail stores, and authorized resellers.

The iPad mini lineup has also been updated. It now comprises the iPad mini 3 with Touch ID and the iPad mini with Retina display (renamed iPad mini 2), starting at US$299. Both devices boast Retina displays, A7 chips, 5MP iSight cameras, FaceTime HD cameras, and high-speed wireless connectivity. The iPad mini is available starting at US$249.

Both the iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3 are offered in three metallic finishes: gold, silver, and space gray. The iPad Air 2 starts at US$499 for the 16GB Wi-Fi model, US$599 for the 64GB model, and US$699 for the 128GB model. The Wi-Fi + Cellular model is priced at US$629 for 16GB, US$729 for 64GB, and US$829 for 128GB. The iPad mini 3 starts at US$399 for the 16GB Wi-Fi configuration, US$499 for the 64GB configuration, and US$599 for the 128GB configuration. The Wi-Fi + Cellular models are available at US$529 for 16GB, US$629 for 64GB, and US$729 for 128GB.

The iPad Air, iPad mini 2, and iPad mini, available in silver or space gray, are now more affordable. The iPad Air now starts at US$399 for the 16GB Wi-Fi model, the iPad mini 2 at US$299 for the 16GB Wi-Fi model, and the iPad mini at US$249 for the 16GB Wi-Fi model.

Apple is also offering a variety of cases and covers for the new iPads, providing protection and personalization options. The iPad Air and iPad mini Smart Covers come in seven colors, while the Smart Cases for iPad Air 2 and iPad mini are available in five new shades. Custom-designed polyurethane Smart Covers for iPad Air and iPad mini will retail for US$39 and will be available in black, white, blue, green, pink, yellow, and a special red edition called ‘(RED)’. The leather iPad Air 2 Smart Cases will retail for US$79 and are available in midnight blue, olive brown, black, soft pink, and (RED), while the iPad mini Smart Cases will come in the same colors at a suggested retail price of US$69. Smart Covers and Smart Cases are available through Apple’s online store, retail locations, and select authorized retailers.

* Compared to the previous iPad Air model.
** Battery life varies depending on device settings, usage, and other factors.
*** Based on theoretical speeds; actual speeds may vary.
**** LTE availability varies by carrier. Network speeds are determined by the carrier network. Please check with your carrier for detailed information.