Apple will replace the 4th generation iPad with the iPad Air 2

Customers who need to replace their fourth generation iPad will now get a newer and more capable iPad Air 2 as a substitute from Apple Stores and authorised service providers, a media report said. Apple is doing this because the company has no stock left of the aging and now discontinued fourth generation iPad, 9to5Mac website reported on Saturday. Apple has also asked its staff to inform customers of the replacement unit’s colour and capacity.

The iPad Air 2 introduced a new gold colour option, and has 32GB and 128GB storage options while 16GB and 64GB models were discontinued. This comes after the company announced the new iPad 5th generation last month without much fanfare. The new iPad is simply called iPad and replaces the iPad Air 2. All Apple has done with the new device is rename it and bump up the SoC to the A9 chip found in the iPhone 6s lineup. The more powerful iPad Pro lineup uses the A9X SoC.

The new model is slightly thicker and fractionally heavier than the device it replaces. The iPad will be available in a 32GB and 128GB variant with Wi-Fi only or Wi-Fi + Cellular options. Prices start at $329 (around Rs 22,000) for the base Wi-Fi only model and can go up to $559 for the 128GB Wi-Fi + Cellular model (around Rs 37,000). Note that these are US prices.

Apple does not have more stock for the iPad 4th generation as it has discontinued the device, and instead of refusing the replacement units the users may receive a slight upgrade in storage in addition to the device’s newer and more powerful internals overall.

With inputs from IANS