Buying Guide: iPad Air 2 release date: where can I get it?

Apple has just announced the iPad Air 2, and it comes with a number of improvements over last year's iPad Air.

It's got a new A8X chip that's been created by Apple specially for the tablet, granting the iPad Air 2 40% faster CPU performance, with 2.5 times better graphics.

It also comes with Touch ID, letting you unlock the tablet and pay for products using your fingerprint, as well as a new 8MP iSight camera with a f/2.4 aperture plus 1080p video recording and 720p slo-mode video capabilities.

Most impressive of all, these new features have all been fitted into a body that's just 6.1mm thick, making the iPad Air 2 the world's thinnest tablet.

• Read our hands on: iPad Air 2 review

You can already pre-order, with the iPad Air 2 release date set for the week commencing October 20. So where can you get one from, and how much will it set you back?

Apple

If you want to buy an iPad Air 2 without a contract prices start at £399 on Apple's own site for the 16GB Wi-Fi only model, with 64GB of internal storage priced at £479 and 128GB costing £559.

If you want the 4G iPad Air 2 then you'll need to put down £499 for the 16GB version, £579 for 64GB and £659 for the 128GB version. You'll also need to get yourself a data SIM deal from the network of your choice, which adds extra cost to this model.

EE

EE was quick to announce that it will be offering the iPad Air 2, with both the Wi-Fi and cellular versions being made available later this month, though no exact date was given.

The iPad Air 2 will be sold with a range of 4G data plans, and further information about prices and when pre-orders will go live will be announced soon. Until then you can keep an eye on EE's website for any updates.

Three

Three is also offering the new iPad Air 2. It hasn't announced details on the prices or contracts that will be offered along with the latest Apple tablet or when pre-orders will go live.

However, we have been told that the contracts that will be available for the iPad Air 2 will include 4G at no extra cost, along with data use in 16 countries abroad with no additional costs.

O2

O2 has announced that it will offer the iPad Air 2 in both Wi-Fi and Cellular flavours later in October.

All versions of the iPad Air 2 will be offered on the O2 Refresh tariff, which will offer 4G data to O2 customers.

No further details have been announced just yet, but you can sign up on the O2 website to register your interest for the iPad Air 2.

Vodafone

We contacted Vodafone to confirm that it will be offering the iPad Air 2 cellular version with its contracts later this month.

More information will be announced later about how Vodafone customers can get their hands on the latest Apple tablet.

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