New iPad Air 2 details emerge ahead of its official unveiling

The iPad Air 2 is expected to launch later this month at an Apple event scheduled to take place on October 16th. Its predecessor is widely considered to be one of the best tablets around so the upcoming device should be even better. New details regarding the tablet have emerged earlier today from sources close to Apple and we managed to learn that the iPad Air 2 will be just 7 mm thick, 0.5 mm thinner than its predecessor. The device looks similar to the iPad Air 2 from a design standpoint, although there are a few differences nevertheless. Apple has removed the mute/vibration button, the speakers now only take a single row grill and the microphones have been repositioned.

Hardware-wise, we’ll be looking at a few upgrades, although it’s a bit hard to tell how much Apple has improved on the iPad Air given that we don’t have the full list of specs as of yet. Thus far, we know that the iPad Air 2 will feature an 8MP primary camera along with a 5MP secondary shooter that will support 720 FaceTime video calls. The device will come equipped with an Apple A8 chipset with 2 GB of RAM and 32/64/128 GB internal storage memory options. Apple is also equipping the tablet with a TouchID fingerprint home button and near filed communication (NFC) connectivity for Apple Pay. Aside from the iPad Air 2, the Cupertino-based company is also said to unveil the iPad Mini 3 at this upcoming event. The device is expected to be similar to its bigger sibling and will also feature an A8 chipset, TouchID and Apple Pay.

In other Apple news, GT Advanced, the manufacturer that provides Apple with sapphire crystal glass has filled for bankruptcy under Chapter 11 yesterday. Coincidence or not, Apple announced shortly after that the Apple Watch will be delayed until February and will only be available in limited quantities at launch.