Performance Massive power. In its most minimal form.

With a new A8X chip built on second-generation 64-bit desktop-class architecture, iPad Air 2 is the fastest, most powerful iPad ever. With this kind of performance, you might expect a compromise or two. Like a bigger form factor or a shorter battery life. But iPad Air 2 is both thinner and lighter than the previous iPad Air. And thanks in part to the M8 motion coprocessor, it still has an incredibly long 10-hour battery life.* So you can do more. While carrying less.

64-bit Architecture
A8X Chip
M8 Motion Coprocessor

The new A8X chip with 64‑bit architecture.

The fast and fluid performance of iPad Air 2 begins with its A8X chip. With 64-bit desktop-class architecture and an extraordinary 3 billion transistors, the A8X chip delivers speed and graphics that rival many personal computers.

CPU Performance
Up to 12x Faster
Graphics Performance
Up to 180x Faster

40 percent faster CPU performance.

Compared with the A7 chip in the previous iPad Air, the new A8X chip delivers 40 percent faster CPU performance. From launching apps to playing games, everything is more fluid and responsive. And all your actions — swiping, pinching, zooming, scrolling, and rotating — happen quickly and smoothly.

More than double the graphics performance.

The A8X chip has an astonishing 2.5 times the graphics performance of the A7 chip. So iPad Air 2 delivers graphics once possible only on desktop computers and gaming consoles. Graphics-intensive games and video editing apps run superbly, and they look gorgeous on the big Retina display.

Metal. A real game changer.

To get the greatest graphics performance out of the A8X chip and iOS 8, we created Metal — a new technology that lets developers design highly immersive console-style games. Metal is optimized to allow the CPU and GPU to work together to deliver detailed graphics and complex visual effects. So every imaginary world feels more realistic.

Work faster. Play harder.

Everything runs better on iPad Air 2. But thanks to the A8X chip, graphics-intensive apps are, well, intense. Video editing, modeling and design apps, and games — especially games — come to life, with incredible responsiveness, fluid motion, and near-cinematic performance.

Usually, increased performance comes at the expense of battery life. Notice we said “usually.”

Thanks to hardware and software that work together seamlessly, iPad Air 2 isn’t just extremely powerful. It’s also extremely power efficient, with up to 10 hours of battery life.* And that’s an impressive feat of engineering, considering it’s just 6.1 mm thin and weighs less than a pound.

Up to 10hr Battery life

M8 coprocessor. A more advanced way to use less power.

When you’re in motion, the new M8 motion coprocessor continuously measures data from the accelerometer, compass, gyroscope, and a new barometer. This offloads work from the A8X chip for improved power efficiency. The motion coprocessor also continuously calibrates all five sensors, so when you want to play a game or use the Maps app, iPad Air 2 is ready and able.

GPS
Barometer
Gyroscope
Accelerometer
Compass
GPS

The power behind the new iSight camera.

The iSight camera in iPad Air 2 uses the Apple-designed image signal processor built into the A8X chip. It supports advanced camera and video features, like better face detection and enhanced noise reduction, so it’s easier to shoot higher-quality photos and videos.

Learn more about Cameras