Despite the reduced by the elimination of the 32-GB model in the end the purchase price for the 64 and 128 GB versions, the iPad Air 2 is still not a bargain. Also, the charge for LTE modules is steep. Thanks Tethering / Mobile Hotspot via smartphone you will but can do without in most cases it. Annoying is only that the WiFi version has no GPS / Glonass integrated.
Personally, I have decided to use the WiFi model with 64 GB. For my purposes as it provides the main tablet for me right price-performance ratio. Already during unpacking you get hinted what to expect for the money to return. A perfectly crafted case in ultra-slim design with high-quality material appearance. With normal force it can not get over confident and with a good stability. Outfitted is the iPad Air 2 in a few steps. Language, iTunes account, wireless router password, location services, Touch ID to much more you have to first time do not worry. iTunes is of course a must. The acquisition of apps outside Apple's App Store for third-party is not provided.
After the first start you quickly cope with the iOS operating system. The handling is overall intuitive, the interface is clearly structured, runs smoothly and the controls are placed in practice. As for improvement I see the position of the speakers, which I believe could have been spread to the sides. As it is, you always concealed in the landscape mode one of the existing openings with normal hand position.
Much more annoying I find that Apple with its Lightning Connector continues its own standard and therefore the accessories a private, exclusive and of course disproportionately expensive adapter and cable program maintains. While in the meantime, almost all manufacturers on the common interfaces USB and HDMI have agreed (in its various embodiments), Apple's borders alone almost to rip off.
When display Apple has once again landed in my view, on the other hand a small coup. Finally, Apple takes the annoying reflections and now installed a visibly less reflective model. This improvement by a bluish antireflection coating, rather than a dull, roughened surface, the bright objects in the mirror image is achieved visible darkens. In direct comparison with an iPad mini you can see a clear difference.
Otherwise, like the Retina Display to be the high resolution, great colors, good contrast and high maximum brightness.
With my X-Rite i1 Basic Pro 2 - EO2BAS measured in the center of the screen:
max. Display brightness 416 cd / m²
Black level 0.43 cd / m²
Calculated Contrast 967: 1
With regard to the performance I can see in practical operation no criticisms. Liquid as liquid is just not noticeable to the user. With 2GB of RAM, 3 cores and a powerful graphics unit you should be well prepared for the coming years. In order to better compare the performance, I can go through a couple of common benchmarks that I have appended at the end.
The 8 MP camera is after the first shots, the best thing I've seen in a tablet. Since pure play in this area, many subjective views and skills with, you can provide in this respect little facts in such a short review. The noise performance, the color impression and the sharpness are in the tablet area in my opinion very good. A number of interesting possibilities open up as the continuous shooting mode, the self-timer, the Panorama function, the hybrid IR mode or in video time-lapse and slow motion. Here you have a lot of room for experimentation.
Regarding the battery life I can not say very much, because I think the Air 2 only a few days in his hands. After about 5 hours of continuous operation with set up, install apps, try benchmarking and surf my device showed 48% battery capacity. Now after several days of sporadic use (Prime Instant Video, Internet, install apps, a little rumgespiele) are still 20% of the existing upon delivery 96% battery charge available.
Edit 08/03/2015: With regard to the battery life has been confirmed after several months use of good first impression. On average, the battery will last with me 8-11 hours of use. Depending on the activity, the hours can however vary greatly:
Listen to music: 11-15 hours
WLAN surfing: 8-9 hours
Videos look (iTunes, no streaming): 7-8 hours
TV streaming: 6-7 hours
3D Gaming (Racing Games, First Person): 3-5 hours
Of course a great influence also has the selected display brightness to reach maturity. Use the automatic personally and get along well with it.
+ Housing
+ Display
+ Power
+ Positioning of the control elements
+ Operability iOS
+ Software Features
+ 8 MP camera, improved front camera
+ Weight
+ Battery impression
+ LTE and internal storage capacity of up to 128GB for an additional charge Available
+/- Restricted iOS universe
- High starting price
- Accessories Politics
- Speaker position
- No card reader in the housing
- No GPS / Glonass at the WiFi version
Benchmarks:
PassMark Performance Test: 3946 points
Geekbench 3 Single: 1 810 points, Multi: 4475 points
3DMark Ice Storm Unlimited: 21685 points