(UPDATE @ 1:49pm, November 24) The new iPads are now available to ship. More information below.
Two weeks after the new iPhone 6 and 6 Plus made their way to the Apple Online Store, it is now the new iPads’ turn. Earlier today, the Apple Malaysia online store has unveiled official store pages for the new iPad Air 2 and the iPad mini 3, revealing their retail prices – but there appears to be a catch.
Announced last month, the 6.1mm iPad Air 2 is the world’s thinnest tablet. Powered by a more powerful triple-core A8X chipset, this 64-bit processor is just one of the main improvements found on Apple’s latest tablet. The display, for example, is an “improved Retina display”; despite having the same Retina resolution, the display now has no air gaps and now has a fully-laminated coating. In addition, TouchID and the M8 co-processor also make their debuts on a tablet with the iPad Air 2.
On the other hand, the iPad mini 3 is more of a slight refresh compared to the iPad Air 2. At the launch event, the iPad mini received surprisingly little on-stage time; it may be due to the fact that the new iPad mini has few upgrades from its predecessor. It runs on the same hardware as the iPad mini with Retina Display (or the iPad mini 2, as it is now called), and only adds TouchID. Worse, the camera has been downgraded to a 5MP iSight sensor.
Nevertheless, both models are now listed in Apple Malaysia’s online store. Those looking to buy it immediately will find that all variants of both models are listed as “Currently unavailable”, though the fact that these pages have now gone live means that they will be available in the coming days. (UPDATE @ 1:49pm, November 24) The new iPads are now available to purchase, and will ship in 2-4 business days. The retail prices of the new iPads are as below:
- iPad Air 2 16GB WiFi: RM1599
- iPad Air 2 16GB WiFi + Cellular: RM2029
- iPad Air 2 64GB WiFi: RM1929
- iPad Air 2 64GB WiFi + Cellular: RM2349
- iPad Air 2 128GB WiFi: RM2249
- iPad Air 2 128GB WiFi + Cellular: RM2679
- iPad mini 3 16GB WiFi: RM1279
- iPad mini 3 16GB WiFi + Cellular: 1699
- iPad mini 3 64GB WiFi: RM1599
- iPad mini 3 64GB WiFi + Cellular: RM2029
- iPad mini 3 128GB WiFi: RM1929
- iPad mini 3 128GB WiFi + Cellular: RM2349
(Image credit: Engadget)
Eagle-eyed observers will notice that these prices are unchanged from the previous-gen iPad Air and iPad mini with Retina Display prices. Those looking for a bargain should also note that Apple Malaysia has reduced its retail prices for the older models; the first-gen iPad mini 16GB WiFi is now just RM799.
We’ll be updating this post when the new iPads are available for shipping. In the meantime, check out the Apple Store for more information.
