iPad Air 2 Release Date Heats Up

The iPad Air 2 release date is close as Apple’s begun shipping out iPad Air 2 pre-orders ahead of its in-store release date that’s expected to land sometime this week.

Last week, after several months of anticipation, Apple finally announced its two new iPad models dubbed iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3. While the company’s iPad mini 3 is a tiny refresh that brings a new gold color and Touch ID fingerprint technology, the iPad Air 2 is far more interesting and includes some worthwhile changes including a new design.

Apple’s new iPad Air 2 comes with some impressive set of features including Apple’s Touch ID fingerprint technology embedded in the home button, a design that’s just 6.1mm thin and less than a pound, a display that now includes several improvements including anti-reflective technology, a brand new A8x chip that delivers 64-bit support, and an improved rear camera.

iPad Air 2 pre-orders went live last week ahead of an unannounced release date in 29 countries and regions around the world. While Apple confirmed the device’s specs, it was unwilling to commit to a specific in-store release date. It noted that the release date would arrive sometime this week though it didn’t specify a date. Today, we’re as close as ever to an iPad Air 2 release date and it looks like an in-store release date could be imminent.

iPad Air 2 pre-orders have started shipping out ahead of the iPad Air 2 release date. Delivery dates are set for October 22nd and October 23rd. Other delivery dates are set for later in the month though none of them have been pushed into the month of October. At least not yet. Apple’s iPad Air 2 shipping times are holding steady at two to four days for most models as we push towards an in-store release date.

T-Mobile and Staples have also confirmed new iPad Air 2 release date details today. T-Mobile will start taking pre-orders starting tomorrow and it looks like the carrier will start stocking the device in late October on October 29th. T-Mobile joins AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon, all of whom began taking iPad Air 2 pre-orders starting last week. None of those carriers have offered in-store iPad Air 2 release dates either.

Staples today confirmed iPad Air 2 pre-orders and confirmed plans to start stocking the iPad Air 2, in stores, by October 27th at the earliest. The exact release date remains in the shadows as Staples, and other retailers, wait for Apple to detail plans of its own. Staples joins several retailers including Best Buy, Target, Walmart in taking iPad Air 2 pre-orders ahead of its release date.

Apple’s iPad Air 2 is expected to go on sale at the same time as the iPad mini 3, Apple’s third-generation iPad mini, that’s also begun shipping to consumers that pre-ordered through Apple. The iPad mini 3 is also up for pre-sale at several carriers and retailers in the United States including Staples, Best Buy, and Walmart.

The iPad Air 2 will start at the company’s usual $499 price point and knock the original iPad Air down to the company’s more affordable $399. The company will position the iPad mini 3 at $399 with the iPad mini 2 and original iPad mini rounding out the company’s brand new iPad lineup for the fall and the holiday shopping season. The company’s iPad 4 drops out of the lineup though consumers should still be able to find deals on it as we move deeper into the fall and towards Black Friday.

Apple’s new iPads round out the company’s fall lineup that includes its new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus smartphones and new Retina iMacs. The company is also expected to deliver an Apple Watch in early 2015 though the company still hasn’t committed to a specific date for its wearable.