Apple iPad Air Apple iPad Air 2 64GB Cellular MH2N2LL/A Silver Review
The iPad Air 2's CPU performance sits in the 8th percentile, making it too slow for modern apps. At $212 renewed, it's only for the most basic tasks.
The 30-Second Version
CPU performance is in the 8th percentile. This iPad Air 2 is too slow for modern use. At $212 renewed, you're buying an antique with cellular connectivity. Only for the most desperate and specific needs.
Overview
The iPad Air 2 is a classic tablet that's still kicking around, but the numbers tell a clear story. At $212 for a renewed model, you're getting a device with a 9.7-inch Retina display and cellular connectivity, but its 64GB of storage sits in the 31st percentile, which is tight by today's standards. More importantly, its A8X chip lands in the 8th percentile for CPU performance, and the GPU is even weaker at the 12th percentile. That means this isn't for modern apps or games.
Performance
Let's be real: performance is this tablet's biggest weakness. That A8X chip is ancient, and our data puts its CPU performance in the 8th percentile. The GPU is even worse at the 12th. You'll notice this immediately with any app that's been updated in the last five years—expect stutters and slow loading. The one bright spot is the 64GB of RAM, which hits the 98th percentile, but that's a weird spec that doesn't translate to real-world speed on an old iOS device. It's fine for reading, basic web browsing, and maybe streaming video, but that's about it.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- The 9.7-inch Retina display is still sharp, scoring in the 65th percentile for screen quality. 98th
- Cellular connectivity is built-in, which is a nice bonus for a tablet at this price point. 77th
- At 454g, it's lightweight and easy to hold for long reading sessions. 65th
- The renewed price of $212 is low for an iPad with cellular.
- Stylus and keyboard connector support offers some accessory flexibility, reflected in its 77th percentile feature score.
Cons
- CPU performance is in the 8th percentile. This chip struggles with modern software. 8th
- GPU performance is abysmal at the 12th percentile. Don't even think about gaming. 13th
- 64GB storage is tight, landing in the 31st percentile. You'll be managing space constantly. 31th
- Battery life is a coin flip, sitting at the 49th percentile. Refurbished units are a gamble.
- It runs iPadOS 8, which is severely outdated and can't run most current apps.
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Processor
| CPU | 1.5 GHz none |
| GPU | PowerVR SGX543 |
Memory & Storage
| RAM | 64 GB |
| RAM Generation | DDR2 |
| Storage | 64 GB |
Display
| Size | 9.7" |
| Resolution | 2048 |
Features
| Stylus Support | Yes |
Physical
| Weight | 0.5 kg / 1.0 lbs |
| OS | iPadOS 8 |
Value & Pricing
At $212, you're paying for the Apple logo and cellular connectivity more than raw power. The performance per dollar ratio is poor because the core silicon is so outdated. You could find a newer, faster Android tablet for this price, but you'd lose the iOS ecosystem. It's only a 'value' if you absolutely need a cheap, cellular-capable iPad for the most basic tasks and you're okay with its severe limitations.
vs Competition
Compared to modern tablets, it's not a contest. A base model iPad (9th gen or newer) with a modern A-series chip will run circles around this in every metric for not much more money. Against other renewed options, you're trading modern performance for cellular here. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A series or older Lenovo tablets in this price range will have better screens and processors, but worse build quality and no cellular. If cellular is a must-have at this budget, this is one of few options. If it's not, look elsewhere immediately.
| Spec | Apple iPad Air Apple iPad Air 2 64GB Cellular MH2N2LL/A Silver | Apple iPad Pro Apple - 13-inch iPad Pro M5 chip Wi-Fi 256GB with | Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Samsung - Galaxy Tab S10+ - 12.4" 256GB - Wi-Fi - | Microsoft Surface Pro Microsoft - Surface Pro - Copilot+ PC - 13” - | Lenovo Lenovo - Idea Tab Pro - 12.7" 3K Tablet - 8GB RAM | HP GPD Win MAX 2 2025 Handheld Gaming PC with AMD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | 1.5 GHz none | Apple M5 | Mediatek MT6989 | Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus X1P-64-100 | MediaTek Dimensity | AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 |
| RAM (GB) | 64 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 8 | 32 |
| Storage (GB) | 64 | 256 | 256 | 512 | 256 | 2048 |
| Screen | 9.7" 2048x1536 | 13" 2752x2064 | 12.4" 2800x1752 | 13" 2880x1920 | 12.7" 2944x1840 | 10.1" 1920x1200 |
| OS | iPadOS 8 | iPadOS | Android 14 | Windows 11 Home | Android 14 | Windows 11 Home |
| Stylus | true | true | true | false | true | false |
| Cellular | false | false | false | false | false | false |
Common Questions
Q: Can this iPad Air 2 run modern apps and games?
Not really. Its CPU and GPU performance are in the 8th and 12th percentiles, respectively. It struggles with apps updated in the last several years and modern games are a no-go.
Q: Is the 64GB of storage enough?
It's tight, ranking in the 31st percentile. After the OS, you'll have about 50GB free. For a media consumption device with old apps, it might work, but you'll be managing space.
Q: How's the battery life on a renewed model?
It's a gamble. The battery score is at the 49th percentile, meaning it's average at best when new. Refurbished units vary wildly, with some users reporting only 2-3 hours of use.
Who Should Skip This
Skip this if you need performance for anything. Students, business users (its weakest area at 43/100), artists, or anyone wanting to use current apps should look away. Its CPU and GPU percentiles (8th and 12th) mean it will choke on multitasking, video editing, modern web browsing, and any productive workflow. It's a relic.
Verdict
We can't recommend this for almost anyone. The 8th percentile CPU performance is a deal-breaker for any task beyond static reading. The outdated OS means app compatibility is a major issue. Only consider this if you need a cellular-connected iPad for a single, simple, old app and you cannot spend another dollar. For everyone else, save up a bit more for a newer base model iPad or get a modern Android tablet.