Apple iPad 2 (3G 16GB) vs Apple iPad Air 2 (4G 128GB)

Side by side comparison between Apple iPad 2 vs Apple iPad Air 2 tablets, differences, pros, cons with full specifications. What's the better?

1/5/2015 11:16 AM, updated: 4/1/2020 12:41 PM

Compare Apple iPad Air 2 XApple iPad 2 (3G 16GB)00Point

Specifications Compare Models

9.7"
IPS

768x1024

0.7
MP

0.3mp

512MB
RAM

32bit Dual

6930
mAh

(Non removable)

25PointsApple iPad Air 2 (4G 128GB)Compare Apple iPad 2 X

Specifications Compare Models

9.7"
IPS

1536x2048

8
MP

1.2mp

2GB
RAM

64bit 3s

7340
mAh

(Non removable)

What's the better tablet? Apple iPad Air 2 (4G 128GB)

The phonemore's choice is much more technical than personal. Therefore, you shouldn't only consider this. Our goal is to help you, but what's important to us may not be important to you. You decide which one is the best! Comment!

0 Advantage Apple iPad 2 (3G 16GB)	vs	25 Advantages Apple iPad Air 2 (4G 128GB)
1Ghz 32bit Dual-Core	vs	+1.5Ghz 64bit 3-Cores131% More powerful processor, you can open your applications faster
512MB LPDDR2	vs	+2GB LPDDR33 times More RAM memory. Typically more responsive and better for multitasking.
16GB (12GB available)	vs	+128GB (117GB available)9 times More internal storage for applications and files
613 grams (21.46 ounces)	vs	+444 grams (15.54 ounces)38% Lighter
8.8 millimeters (0.35 inches)	vs	+6.1 millimeters (0.24 inches)44% Thinner
768x1024 pixels	vs	+1536x2048 pixels3 times Higher resolution screen
132 PPI	vs	+264 PPI100% Crisper display of text, images and videos because it has more pixels per inch (ppi)
(back) 0.7MP	vs	+(back) 8MP11 times Higher resolution main camera
Not supported	vs	+AutofocusAdvantage Best autofocus type for taking pictures
Not supported	vs	+BSI sensorAdvantage The BSI sensor allows the entry of more light generating photos with more detail and brightness
Not supported	vs	+HDR photo/video and HDR photo on front cameraAdvantage The HDR technology produced photos with more detail in dark areas
(front) 0.3MP	vs	+(front) 1.2MP3 times Higher resolution secondary camera to take pictures and selfies
HD (1280x720)	vs	+Full HD (1920x1080)125% More image quality for recording videos with the primary camera
(front) VGA (640x480)	vs	+(front) HD (1280x720)2 times More image quality for recording videos with the secondary camera
iOS 9.0	vs	+iPadOS 13Advantage iPadOS 13 is newer and safer
3G HSUPA	vs	+4G LTEAdvantage The 4G LTE network is newer and faster
(3G HSUPA) 14.4 Mbps	vs	+(4G LTE) 100 Mbps6 times Faster for surfing the internet and download files
Not supported	vs	+BarometerAdvantage Sensors help you use the device
Not supported	vs	+Fingerprint sensor (front-mounted)Advantage Sensors help you use the device
6930 mAh	vs	+7340 mAh6% Battery - higher amperage (mAh) allows more device usage time, but it also depends on the hardware and use
Not supported	vs	+Active noise cancellationAdvantage Noise-canceling microphone allows better call quality
802.11 a/b/g/n (2.4Ghz, 5Ghz)	vs	+802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4Ghz, 5Ghz)Advantage WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4Ghz, 5Ghz) is newer and faster
Not supported	vs	+DLNAAdvantage With DLNA technology you can access and play media files on TV, tablet or DLNA compatible device.
2.1 + A2DP	vs	+4.0 + A2DPAdvantage Bluetooth 4.0 + A2DP is newer and faster
HTML, XHTML	vs	+HTML, XHTML, HTML5Advantage Better sites viewing on the internet

19 Common items in both devices

TFT LED-Backlit IPS LCD

16 million

9.7"

Only digital zoom

EIS: Digital stabilization

Capacitive

Multitouch

+12 specs and more in the table below

Check the comparison table below for more items that are not evaluated in comparison score above.

Highlight differences

Physical features	Apple iPad 2 (3G 16GB)	Apple iPad Air 2 (4G 128GB)
Model	iPad 2 (3G 16GB)	iPad Air 2 (4G 128GB)
Other model names	iPad 2 A1396 (Wi-Fi + 3G)	iPad Air 2 A1567 Cellular (4G LTE), iPad 6
Country or region available	(Global, International)	(Global, International)
Brand	Apple	Apple
Release date	March, 2011	October, 2014
Depth	8.8 millimeters (0.35 inches)	6.1 millimeters (0.24 inches)
Size (width x height)	185.7 x 241.2 millimeters (7.31 x 9.5 in)	169.5 x 240 millimeters (6.67 x 9.45 in)
Weight	613 grams (21.46 ounces)	444 grams (15.54 ounces)
Qwerty physical keyboard	Not supported	Not supported
Antenna	Internal antenna	Internal antenna
Build, materials	feature not registered	Aluminum body, glass front
Protection against water and others	Not supported	Not supported
System (OS)	Apple iPad 2 (3G 16GB)	Apple iPad Air 2 (4G 128GB)
Operating system	iOS 4.0	iOS 8.0
Firmware update	iOS 9.0	iPadOS 13
Hardware	Apple iPad 2 (3G 16GB)	Apple iPad Air 2 (4G 128GB)
Chipset	32bit - Apple A5 APL0498 (45nm)	64bit - Apple A8X (20nm)
CPU processor	1Ghz Dual-Core ARM Cortex-A9	1.5Ghz 3-Cores Apple Cyclone
GPU graphical controller	PowerVR SGX543MP2	PowerVR GXA6850 MP8
RAM memory	512MB LPDDR2	2GB LPDDR3
Internal storage	16GB (12GB available)	128GB (117GB available)
External storage	Not supported	Not supported
Display	Apple iPad 2 (3G 16GB)	Apple iPad Air 2 (4G 128GB)
Display type	TFT LED-Backlit IPS LCD	TFT LED-Backlit IPS LCD
Screen size	9.7" inches	9.7" inches
Screen-to-body ratio	~65.1% (screen-to-body ratio)	~71.6% (screen-to-body ratio)
Display resolution	768x1024 pixels	1536x2048 pixels
Touchscreen	Capacitive Multitouch	Capacitive Multitouch 10-points
Pixel density (dot pitch)	132 PPI	264 PPI
Colors	16 million	16 million
Scratch-resistant glass	Scratch-resistant glass	Scratch-resistant glass
Display features	feature not registered	feature not registered
Mobile networks	Apple iPad 2 (3G 16GB)	Apple iPad Air 2 (4G 128GB)
Dual-SIM	Not supported	Not supported
SIM card	1 slot (Single-SIM) micro-SIM (3FF)	1 slot (Single-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF)
Maximum download/upload	14.4/2 Mbps	100/50 Mbps
Network technology	2G, 3G	2G, 3G, 4G
Frequency, bands	Expand band detailsCollapse details
GSM Mhz band	Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900	Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900
Primary 2G network	GSM 850/900/1800/1900	CDMA 800/1900, GSM 850/900/1800/1900
Primary 3G network	UMTS 850/900/1900/2100	CDMA2000 1xEV-DO UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100
Primary 4G network	Not supported	LTE Cat4 (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29) TD-LTE (Bands 38, 39, 40, 41)
Primary 5G network	Not supported	Not supported
Primary data network	GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA	GPRS, EDGE, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev 0, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev A, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE
Secondary 2G network	Not supported	Not supported
Secondary 3G network	Not supported	Not supported
Secondary 4G network	Not supported	Not supported
Secondary data network	Not supported	Not supported
Calling	Apple iPad 2 (3G 16GB)	Apple iPad Air 2 (4G 128GB)
Messaging	SMS (T9), MMS, E-mail, Push mail	SMS (T9), MMS, E-mail, Push mail
Speakerphone	Supported	Supported
Video calling	Supported	Supported
Call control	Voice recorder	Voice dialing, Voice recorder, Voice commands
Camera	Apple iPad 2 (3G 16GB)	Apple iPad Air 2 (4G 128GB)
Back camera (main camera)	0.7 megapixels	8 megapixels
Main camera resolution	960x720 pixels	3264x2448 pixels
Video recording (primary)	HD (1280x720) 30 fps	Full HD (1920x1080) 30 fps
Flash	Not supported	Not supported
Focal aperture	feature not registered	f/2.4 (aperture)
Focal length	feature not registered	31mm lens
Sensor size	feature not registered	feature not registered
Pixel size	feature not registered	1.12µm pixel
Autofocus	Not supported	Autofocus
Touch focus	Not supported	Supported
Image stabilization	EIS: Digital stabilization	EIS: Digital stabilization
Zoom	Only digital zoom	Only digital zoom
Face/smile detection	Not supported	Face detection, Smile detection
BSI sensor	Not supported	Supported
HDR	Not supported	HDR photo/video and HDR photo on front camera
2ª camera	Apple iPad 2 (3G 16GB)	Apple iPad Air 2 (4G 128GB)
Front camera (secondary)	0.3 megapixels	1.2 megapixels
Front camera resolution	640x480 pixels	1280x960 pixels
Video recording (secondary)	VGA (640x480)	HD (1280x720)
Front flash	Not supported	Not supported
Focal aperture	feature not registered	f/2.2 (aperture)
Focal length	feature not registered	31mm lens
Sensor size	feature not registered	feature not registered
Pixel size	feature not registered	feature not registered
Multimedia	Apple iPad 2 (3G 16GB)	Apple iPad Air 2 (4G 128GB)
Radio	Not supported	Not supported
TV	Not supported	Not supported
Video formats	MP4, H.264, MOV	MP4, H.264, MOV
Audio formats	MP3, WAV, AAC	MP3, WAV, eAAC+
Connectivity	Apple iPad 2 (3G 16GB)	Apple iPad Air 2 (4G 128GB)
USB	USB 2.0 proprietary connector	MicroUSB 2.0
TV output	Proprietary TV-out	Proprietary TV-out
Audio output	3.5mm jack	3.5mm jack
Bluetooth	2.1 + A2DP	4.0 + A2DP
WiFi	802.11 a/b/g/n (2.4Ghz, 5Ghz)	802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4Ghz, 5Ghz)
DLNA	Not supported	Supported
NFC	Not supported	Not supported
GPS	A-GPS, GeoTagging	A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS
Infrared port	Not supported	Not supported
Other functions	Apple iPad 2 (3G 16GB)	Apple iPad Air 2 (4G 128GB)
Active noise cancellation	Not supported	Supported
Vibrating alert	Not supported	Not supported
Ringtones	Polyphonic and customized	Polyphonic and customized
Web browser	HTML, XHTML	HTML, XHTML, HTML5
Sensors	Accelerometer Compass Ambient Light sensor Gyroscope	Accelerometer Compass Ambient Light sensor Gyroscope Barometer Fingerprint sensor (front-mounted)
Other features	- Colors: Black, White - Oleophobic coating - iCloud service	- Colors: Space Gray, Silver, Gold - Retina display - Oleophobic coating - AirDrop file sharing - iCloud service - iCloud Keychain - FaceTime HD
Power supply	Apple iPad 2 (3G 16GB)	Apple iPad Air 2 (4G 128GB)
Battery	LiPo: Li-Ion polymer (Non removable)	LiPo: Li-Ion polymer (Non removable)
Battery capacity	6930 mAh	7340 mAh
Charger, watts	Standard charging	Standard charging
Talk time autonomy	540 minutes \| 9 hours \| 0.4 day	600 minutes \| 10 hours \| 0.4 day
Standby	43200 minutes \| 720 hours \| 30 days	feature not registered
Radiation rate	Apple iPad 2 (3G 16GB)	Apple iPad Air 2 (4G 128GB)
SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.)	feature not registered	feature not registered
SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.)	1.19W/kg (body)	feature not registered