There were some rumors that Apple might charge more for the new iPad because the higher-resolution, 2048 x 1536 screen would cost more to produce. But this just didn’t seem in keeping with Apple’s usual MO of keeping the pricing for the new generation the same, while lowering the price for the previous generation. Those rumors didn’t bear out.
(photo credit: Apple)
| new iPad | iPad 2 | |
| 16 GB Wi-Fi | $499 | $399 |
| 32 GB Wi-Fi | $599 | $499 (assumed price) |
| 64 GB Wi-Fi | $699 | $599 (assumed price) |
| 16 GB Wi-Fi + 4G | $629 | $529 |
| 32 GB Wi-Fi + 4G | $729 | $629 (assumed price) |
| 64 GB Wi-Fi + 4G | $829 | $729 (assumed price) |
As you can see, the new iPad’s pricing stayed the same as last year’s pricing, even with the addition of 4G LTE support. Now the iPad 2 16 GB models are the lowest-priced iPads you can get, at $399 for Wi-Fi only, or $529 for Wi-Fi + 3G. While they are not currently listed on Apple’s online store, 32 and 64 GB iPad 2s likely got a $100 price cut.
4G data plans for the new iPad are also the same pricing as previous 3G data plans:
AT&T:
- 250 MB/month, $14.99
- 2 GB/month, $30
- 5 GB/month, $50
Verizon:
- 2 GB/month, $30
- 5 GB/month, $50
- 10 GB/month, $80
And as before data plans are month-to-month, no commitment. So iPad users can turn on 4G data whenever they want to use it, like while they’re on a business trip, and turn it off when they’re staying more local and can rely on Wi-Fi access, for example.
I think that Apple will sell the iPad 2′s remaining stock at the lower prices, but only as supplies last. I don’t believe Apple will continue production on iPad 2s, as this wouldn’t make sense with their production lines. Lowered iPad 2 pricing is similar to what Apple did to offer cheap and/or free iPhones once the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S came out. So if you want a cheaper iPad, the iPad 2 would be a fine purchase, if you’re already leaning that way anyway. The iPad 2′s A5 processor will be able to support the next few iOS 5 updates, perhaps even iOS 6, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
And as was rumored before today’s announcement, new iPads pre-ordered today will ship by March 16, assuming you can get your pre-order in. $399 iPad 2s ordered today will ship in 1 -3 business days.
Via Apple
