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

Apple has a new tablet king, 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 in depth iPad Air 2 review

The iPad Air 2 is available for you to buy right now and we have all the info on where you can get it, 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.

Apple is currently quoting 2-4 business days for delivery, which is free, so that's not too bad.

EE

EE was quick to announce that it will be offering the iPad Air 2 in both the Wi-Fi and cellular versions, and you can pre-order online now.

There's no SIM-free option, so you'll have to sign yourself up to a two year data plan, but that does mean you part with less cash up front - as little as £49.99 in fact (which gets you a 16GB Air 2 and 2GB of data for £35 per month over two years.)

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 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.

You can get an iPad Air 2 16GB for £35 upfront and then £34 per month for 24 months. This tariff includes 3GB of data.

There are other tariffs available and you can pre-order now from the O2 website.

Vodafone

Vodafone has confirmed that it will be offering the iPad Air 2 cellular version with its contracts later this month, with the network revealing both this and the iPad mini 3 will be "coming soon."

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

Currys/PC World

Currys and PC World also have stock of the iPad Air 2, and you can order online and pick it up in store in an hour.

Prices mirror those on Apple's site, there's no cut price deals here.

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