“Almost a third of the installed base of iPads consists of iPad 2’s without a Retina display,” John Martellaro writes for The Mac Observer. “As a result, a casual look at the numbers suggests that the iPad Air 2 should do very well in sales.”
“I see considerable opportunity, especially with the iPad 2 crowd. That iPad shipped in March of 2011 and makes up the largest percentage of iPad owners, some 65 million of the 225 million total iPad users. (Assuming one per customer),” Martellaro writes. “Given that the iPad 2 doesn’t have a Retina display, a not very good set of cameras, ancient Bluetooth, and, of course, no Touch ID, I would think that 65 million owners of this 3.5 year old iPad would be rather interested in upgrading. The quality of the iPad Air 2’s rear facing camera and the newfound enthusiasm for iPad photography is an especially notable driver.”
“Another factor is that the original iPad, iPad 2,3 and 4 are rather thick feeling. Anyone who owns one of these and then handles an iPad Air 2 is going to be instantly motivated to upgrade,” Martellaro writes. “So, another sizable group that may be enticed into an iPad Air 2 is the 3rd and 4th generation users who, collectively, make up another 64 million users.”
Much more in the full article here.
Related articles:
Apple goes all in with the iPad Air 2 and iPhone 6 Plus – October 17, 2014
iPad mini 3 vs. iPad mini 2 – October 17, 2014
Apple’s new iPad Air 2 is 13% thinner than a pencil; Touch ID a boon for enterprise users – October 16, 2014
Apple’s ‘superior’ iPhone 6 Plus destroys Samsung’s ‘clunky’ Galaxy Note 4 – October 15, 2014
Apple’s iPhone 6 Plus: Changing the way I work in a big way – October 14, 2014
Open thread: Does iPhone 6 Plus kill iPad mini, iPad Air sales? – October 6, 2014
The author of this story should have realized that a large portion of iPad 2 sales were to schools for education
In the long run, Touch ID devices will mark a before-after line. Highly mobile users and enterprise users will certainly want Touch ID.
The article seems to suggest that people with older iPads might want to buy new ones. Genius.
But like all mature industries, it takes constant media push to keep people interested. That’s why it’s important for Apple to keep refreshing the lineup. Otherwise, this journalist would be writing about one of the other few hundred gadgets that were launched last week.
I still think that people are just not interested in replacing computers and tablets every year. Personally, thinner profile and Touch ID is simply not compelling enough, and that’s fine. Apple has plenty of more substantial updates to make to other products right now – iPods are only dying because Apple is letting them rot on the vine. Refresh those suckers pronto, Timbercakes!
I was waiting for this one to come along. It not only has touch ID, but Siri as well. The retina display, and all the other bells and whistles? Just icing on the cake. Mine is on order. It took nearly 12 hours to battle my way through the logjam to get the order placed. Time to hand down my old one…I suspect I am not alone…As to the old ones, there will likely be a booming refurbish market that will keep the rest in circulation too. The same thing happened with my old iPhone. I sold it at the mall. They had a ton of Android phones for sale, but not many buyers and the price buyback was dirt cheap. I got a premium price for my old phone and it nearly paid for the upgrade. They said they cannot keep Apple phones in stock. I suspect the same will happen with the iPad as well.
My iPad (original June 2010 cellular) has been great but is showing its age with some lag and app crash. It’s been a good little workhorse and provided tons of entertainment at home and business utility (e-mail, certain apps) but with Yosemite, iOS 8, continuity… IT’S TIME! And that time has never been better. Count me in with those numbers upgrading and getting the iPhone 6 plus was never a factor in not updating to a newer iPad also.
i’m a two, too — or as we might be disposed to say in canada, a toonie.
among the things that have brought me great pleasure in life i have been able to hold in my hands: my parker fly deluxe guitar, my iPad 2 and, well, you know…. )))
i just got the iPhone 6 – 128; i will be ordering the iPad air 2 – 128 and most likely the Mac mini, although my desire for the iMac 27 borders on lust.
I have a 3 (the last iPad they made with the old-style big iPod connector). This thing is an absolute boat anchor compared to the iPad Air 2. The drastically reduced weight of the Air 2, along with the slimmer package and smaller bezels (plus of course Touch ID) makes me actually want to upgrade. I’ll probably just give my 3 to one of my relatives’ kids.
I just upgraded my iPad 2 to an iPhone 6+. I’ll probably never buy another iPad.
I just upgraded my iPad to the new one and I am looking forward to it. I wonder how does one go about taking data and apps from the old one and put it on the new one. Any ideas?
You back up the old one to iTunes, then plug the new one in and restore it from the backup of the old one.
Ha, you beat me as I went to fill my coffee cup.
Connect the old one to your computer, open iTunes, select iPad in the sidebar, do a backup. Disconnect the old iPad. Connect the new iPad and do a Restore from your just made backup.
Correct, but I have seen people writing about a different strategy, which is to configure as a new device. You can still get all of your previously paid content from the Mac and take the opportunity to free yourself from the apps you no longer find interesting. I’m giving that serious thought. Pretty sure we’ll be getting two iPad Air 2s to replace our iPad 2 and 3. Every product refresh has occasional “knees” in the value curve and I think the iPad Air 2 is one of those. I sort of wanted an iPad Air last year. I really want the 2. And I might as well get 2, because my wife will just steal it if I only get one.
I think it’s time for me to get an iPad Air 2!
Not too bothered about Touch ID but A8X and new Screen are important.
I have all iPad models except the first mini. I think the Air 2 is a really significant upgrade over Air. Mine 128 Apple SIM Space Gray is ordered. Plus it costs $100 less than I paid for the Air a year ago. Amazing!
Of course I’m not going to get a mini 3 since its identical to my A7 mini 2 except for Touch ID which I din’t need.