You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Anyone still using an Ipad air 2 with the latest ipad os?

Just wanted to get your thoughts on usability. Have a chance to pick up some at a good price for my parents and not sure how this old hardware runs with the latest ipad os. Sluggish? Other thoughts? Thanks!

iPad Pro, iOS 13

Posted on Mar 18, 2020 1:27 PM

Reply
11 replies

Mar 19, 2020 10:39 AM in response to kaitanium

No problem. There is a specific way to quote someone. Just tap on the quotation marks in the editor bar at the bottom of the reply box.

kaitanium wrote:

Didnt say you were trying to convince me. That was directed at MichelPM. Doesnt look like theres a way to specifically quote people in this forum.


Mar 18, 2020 1:35 PM in response to kaitanium

iPad Air 2 models are fast approaching 5 years old, now!

Also, buying used devices from an unknown source can be very risky. Many people searching for a “deal’ get iPads that are permanently locked with user activation lock that, in the majority of cases, cannot be removed, defeated or circumvented.

I would pass on these.


Amazon, itself, currently sells new, sealed in box, Apple's base model 2019, 7th gen, 10.2 inch screen, WiFi ONLY 32 and 128 GBs iPad models selling for $279 and $359, respectively, through its own direct sales distribution.


This is a $50-$70 savings from Apple's own pricing of these iPad models.


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07XQYPM2N?pf_rd_p=ab873d20-a0ca-439b-ac45-cd78f07a84d8&pf_rd_r=6HW54HFD0YSC2ZE3CP7Z


Amazon will also provide for purchase of extended, AppleCare+ product warranty protection plan, also.


The 2019, 10.2 inch screen 7th gen iPads have a 1/2 inch larger retina screen, much faster and newer 2.3 Ghz, A10 Fusion processors, 3 GBs of internal RAM, iPadOS 13 support, with much better and improved multitasking features, Apple Pencil and Apple Smart keyboard cover support and have better audio speakers and better/improved built-in cameras.



Best of Luck to You!

Mar 18, 2020 2:18 PM in response to MichelPM

Thanks!


yup fully understand the risks of used devices. all my apple products are used and 2-3+ generations back. I never buy new. just considering all options since i dont ever need the latest and greatest. ex: my 9 year old macbook pro 15 is still lighting fast and whatever i need to use it for so for a device to be 5 years in general is paltry in a sense for everyday use for me. If it runs ipad OS smooth enough, then im game to save the $100+ and take my family out to dinner.

Mar 18, 2020 5:36 PM in response to kaitanium

Mobile devices and full computers, like a MacBook or Mac desktop have different lifespans/expectancies.

Mobile device hardware gets supported for a lot less time.

Also, even though no one here is allowed to speculate, iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 4 models may or may not get the next version of iPadOS, which is iPadOS 14, since iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 4 models were at the bottom of the iPadOS 13 minimum hardware requirement.


Have you considered maybe newer iPad, like the 2017, 2018, 5th or 6th gen iPads, that will have longer OS longevity?

Mar 18, 2020 5:56 PM in response to kaitanium

I still have an iPad Air 2. However, my iPad Air 3 is the iPad that I use now.


The iPad Air 2 is running iOS 13.3.1. It works fine, but it is quite sluggish when I first wake it up and it isn’t nearly as fast as the new iPad. Everything works and works fine, but it is decidedly slower now and like I said it does take a while before it really responds.


For example, if there are app updates, when I tap on my account icon in the App Store, and the window opens up to show the apps that need updates., the progress wheel may spin for 3, 4 or 5 seconds before the apps load in the window to be updated. On the iPad Air 3, the app window opens up virtually instantaneously. Apps update in no time on the iPad Air 3 but take at least twice as long if not longer on the iPad Air 2.


I don’t know that I would want to buy one now unless it was really dirt cheap.

Mar 18, 2020 7:06 PM in response to kaitanium

Based upon your previous responses, if you are unwilling to pay $279 or $329 for a 32 or 128 GBs storage, Apple’s cheapest base model 2019 7th gen iPads, you are not going to want to pay the higher pricing for an iPad Air 3.


Like I stated previously, your other options for older iPads are a newer 2017 or 2018 iPad 5th or 6th gen iPad, which is in your 2-3 year old Apple hardware window.

The 2018, 6th gen iPad can use Apple's 1st gen Pencil and the Apple smart keyboard cover!

Mar 18, 2020 8:30 PM in response to MichelPM

at the time of my post i hadnt looked up the prices of used air 3s yet. They are much higher for sure which takes that easily out of the equation.


looks like 32gb 5th gens are going for very roughly the price of 64gb Air 2s. That might be where i end up...with a 5th gen 32gb if i decide to go the ipad route. No need to for the pencil or cover


Thanks!

Anyone still using an Ipad air 2 with the latest ipad os?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.