Apple has released the much-anticipated iPad Air 2, updating its beloved iPad Air with an all-new look and beefed-up specs. But how does the iPad Air 2 compare to Google's just-released Nexus 9 tablet?
Let's break down the specs and take a look.
Display
There's not a great deal separating the two devices on this front. The iPad Air 2 has almost an extra inch of real estate on its rival, but pays for the additional screen space with a lower pixel density. Apple's number boasts a decent 264ppi, while the Nexus 9 just about trumps it with 281ppi.
Camera
Apple has bumped up the camera specs on the iPad Air 2, from 5 to 8 megapixels, with a whole host of "image optimisation" tools. If you were hoping for a higher resolution selfie-snapper, though, you're out of luck. Apple has stuck with its proprietary FaceTime camera, a 1.2-megapixel piece -- though let's remember megapixels aren't everything in this race. The Nexus 9 packs the same primary snapper, while its selfie camera is a tiny bit better on paper, at 1.6 megapixels. Neither device particularly impresses in these stakes.
Size & weight
Apple has made the iPad Air 2 even thinner than its extremely svelte predecessor. At 6.1mm thick, the iPad Air 2 is definitely one of the thinnest tablets on the market. The Nexus 9 isn't exactly overweight, but its extra 1.8mm of thickness definitely shows. Both weigh in around the 430g mark, with Google's tablet shaving off a few grams, but you won't exactly have trouble lugging either device around.
Design
The iPad Air 2 is built for the catwalk. It's a beauty. Apple hasn't changed the design from its predecessor, because it hasn't needed to. It's slim, sexy and very desirable. HTC's done a great job with Google's new piece too, bringing some glam to the Nexus range. It's difficult to look anywhere past Apple's creation though.
Check out the full specs table below.
| Apple iPad Air 2 | Google Nexus 9 | |
| Display | ||
| Screen size | 9.7in | 8.9in |
| Resolution | 2,048 x 1,536 | 2,048 x 1,536 |
| Pixel density | 264ppi | 281ppi |
| Type | LCD | IPS LCD |
| Processor and battery | ||
| Family | Apple A8X | Tegra K1 |
| CPU | TBC | Denver |
| Cores | TBC | Quad-core |
| Clock speed | TBC | 2.3GHz |
| GPU | TBC | Kepler DX1 |
| Battery | TBC | 6,700mAh |
| Claimed battery time | Up to 10h | |
| Storage and memory | ||
| RAM | 2GB | 2GB |
| Internal storage | 16GB / 64GB / 128GB | 16GB / 32GB |
| microSD | No | No |
| Camera | ||
| Rear | 8-megapixel | 8-megapixel |
| Video | 1,080p | 1,080p@30fps |
| Front | 1.2-megapixel | 1.6-megapixel |
| Wireless | ||
| Standard | 4G LTE | 4G LTE |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 802.11 a / b / g / n / ac | Wi-Fi 802.11 a / b / g / n / ac |
| NFC | Yes | |
| Bluetooth | v4.0 | v4.0 |
| Integrated wireless charging | No | |
| Dimensions | ||
| Size | 6.1mm thin (rest TBC) | 228.2 x 153.7 x 7.9mm |
| Weight | 437g | 425g |
| Operating system | iOS 8 | Android 5.0 Lollipop |
| Price (SIM-free) | 16GB - $499/64GB - $599/128GB - $699 | 32GB - $649/64GB - $699 |
| Availability | 17 October 2014 (pre-order) | October 2014 |
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