While the launch of the new iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3 is generating excitement, there are caveats that come with such pricey devices.
Generally, it's no surprise that Apple is selling its products at a premium price. However, at least in the case of the iPad Air 2, the real cost may be higher than usual.
Nowadays, 16 GB on a tablet would hardly be enough, especially if you want to take advantage of the capabilities of a high-end device such as the iPad Air 2.
The 16 GB model for the new iPad Air is $499, the same as the entry level model of the original version from a year ago. Times have changed since then, and this year's model may be a more sensible purchase at the 64 GB level, which requires a heftier sum of $599. Similar to the iPhone 6, the iPad Air 2 has no 32 GB model. The 128 GB version goes for $699.
There are a few factors that diminish the appeal of the 16 GB version of the iPad Air 2. Limited space for memory-hungry apps and firmware updates being the most obvious. However, there is a new reason to stay away from the entry-level version of the newest iPad Air. Apple is pushing the tablet as a photography device. While some may find that odd, even laughable, the company is enabling tablet photographers with enough tools to change people's minds.
During the launch event for the new iPads, Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president for worldwide marketing called the tablets "the best viewfinder for composing your photos and your videos." That's quite a statement considering that most people still prefer taking photos and videos on their smartphones. However, Apple is mounting an attempt to change habits with the iPad Air 2, fitting the device with an 8 MP sensor that can shoot slo-mo, time-lapse and 1080p HD video. That would require a lot of storage, something that is sorely lacking in the 16 GB version of the device.
There's a simple strategy behind Apple's new iPad memory scheme. By supersizing the gaps between models, it is looking to stimulate more interest in iPads with bigger storage space. It's a slick move, especially considering that Apple is producing the higher memory iPads at a price similar to the ones from last year.
