With the iPad Air 2 and the iPad mini 3 set to hit stores any day now, retailers have begun offering some discounts on the previous-generation iPad Air and Retina iPad mini 2, especially on higher-capacity models that have been discontinued.
On its own website, Apple offers the original iPad Air in 16 and 32GB capacities only, with prices at $399 and $449, respectively, for Wi-Fi models, and $529/$579 for Wi-Fi+ Cellular models. The same is true for the iPad mini 2, which is available in 16 and 32GB capacities at $299/$349 for Wi-Fi and $429/$479 for Wi-Fi + Cellular.
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Retailers are not offering discounts on the iPad Air and iPad mini 2 models that Apple continues to sell, but the discontinued higher capacity 64 and 128GB models are available at lower prices. Customers who don't care about Touch ID or the new features in the iPad Air 2 but want more storage capacity will be able to get a solid deal on an older-generation model.
iPad Air
The Wi-Fi only 64GB iPad Air in Space Gray can be purchased for $499 from Best Buy, as can the 64GB Silver Wi-Fi model. The Wi-Fi only 128GB iPad Air in Silver can be purchased from B&H Photo for $599.
Several sites are also offering deals on the higher-capacity Wi-Fi + Cellular iPad Air models. The 64GB Cellular iPad Air in Silver from AT&T is available for $599 from Adorama. The 64GB Cellular iPad Air in Space Gray from AT&T is also available for $599, from Amazon, Adorama, and B&H Photo.
Verizon models are slightly more expensive, with both the 64GB Silver Cellular iPad and 64GB Space Gray iPad available for $629 from Best Buy.
The 128GB Cellular iPad Air in Silver from AT&T is available for $829.99 from Best Buy and the 128GB Space Gray AT&T Cellular iPad is available for $699 from Adorama, a hefty discount of $230 off the original price.
128GB models from Verizon are priced similarly, with the 128GB Silver version available from Adorama for $699 and the Space Gray version available for $729 from B&H Photo.
iPad mini 2
Higher-capacity iPad mini 2 models are also available at steep discounts, and these iPads are a particularly good deal as the only difference between the mini 2 and the mini 3 is Touch ID and a gold color option.
The 64GB Wi-Fi only iPad mini 2 in Silver is available for $399 from Best Buy and Adorama. The Space Gray Wi-Fi only iPad mini 2 is also available for $399 from Best Buy and Adorama.
The 128GB Wi-Fi only iPad mini 2 in Silver is available for $499 from Best Buy, while the Space Gray version is available for $499 from Best Buy and Adorama.
The 64GB AT&T Cellular iPad mini 2 in Silver is available for $529.99 from Best Buy, while the Space Gray model is available for $529.99 from Best Buy, Amazon, and Adorama.
64GB Verizon Cellular iPad mini 2 models in Silver are available for $529.99 from Best Buy and the Space Gray model is available from Best Buy for the same price.
The 128GB Cellular AT&T iPad mini 2 in Silver is available for $629 from Amazon and Adorama. The AT&T Space Gray model in 128GB is also available for $629 from Amazon and Adorama.
The 128GB Cellular Verizon iPad mini 2 in silver is available for $629 from Adorama. The Space Gray version is also available for $629 from Best Buy and Adorama.
Trade-ins
Though sites have not yet begun offering discounts on the current-generation iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3, Best Buy is accepting older iPads as trade-ins towards the cost of a new iPad Air 2 or iPad mini 3. The company is guaranteeing a minimum of $175 towards the iPad mini 3 with the trade in of an iPad 2 or newer, and a minimum of $200 towards the iPad Air 2 with the trade in of an iPad 2 or newer.
There are several other sites that allow users to send in their older iPads for cash that can be used towards the purchase of a new iPad, including Gazelle, Amazon, Target, Glyde, and more.
It remains unclear when the new iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3 will be available in stores, but Apple continues to offer pre-orders for the devices on its website, with prices beginning at $499 and $399, respectively.
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Top Rated Comments
I thought I was going to pounce on the retina iPad mini, but then I actually started using one in depth in the store and saw this issue (https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5792030?tstart=0) and it just killed the experience for me. I mean, you just gently touch the screen and it discolors :(
I'm not doubting that it may or may not be an issue with all Retina mini's (not mine) but read to the bottom of the support article the OP posted:Thanks for your prompt reply. I'm so embarrased when I finall realized that the iPad in question had an Otterbox screen cover as well as the protective case. Apparently some moisture had accumulated between the surfaces. There was no problem with the iPad screen.