This October, tech giant Apple launched the iPad Air, the new iPad. Quite interestingly, Nokia also launched the first ever tablet, called as Lumia 2520 which is based on the Windows RT 8.1 platform. Quite obvious to state, the new iPad Air is a more sophisticated version of the immensely popular iPad family. On the other hand, the Nokia Lumia 2520 is the Finnish organization’s debut in an increasingly competitive market for tablets. Thus, it would be quite interesting to see how Nokia fares with its first offering in this segment. Also, comparisons are only likely between the iPad Air and the Lumia 2520, even though both the tablets are based on different operating systems. Here’s a brief lowdown on the new tablets.
Size, form, and dimensions
Apple’s new iPad Air features 9.7-inch display screen (diagonal ). However, the new iPad Air is a lot lighter and thinner compared to iPad 4. The Apple ad for the new iPad Air states that it is even thinner as opposed to a pencil. The iPad Air does not weigh more than a pound and as per Apple, the new iPad Air is the lightest of all full-sized tablets being currently sold in the market. The bezel on the tablet’s sides has also been trimmed down by Apple and is supposedly 43 percent narrower compared to the outgoing version. Thus, the new iPad Air has been just 7.5 mm thick while the iPad is 9.4 mm thick. The new iPad Air has 264 pixels per inch screen resolution.
On the other hand, the Lumia 2520, sports a bigger display than its Apple counterpart. The 2520 has a 10.1-inch screen (diagonal). The screen flaunts a full-HD 1920x1080 pixel resolution display. This would be 218 pixels per inch. Thus, in the picture quality department, the iPad Air is a clear winner. However, the Lumia 2520 packs in ClearBlack Display filter. With this, Nokia promises that the users can effortlessly read while using the device outdoors.
Camera and Battery life
Nokia has always enjoyed a good reputation as far as the hardware of its devices is concerned. Even with the Lumia 2520, it repeats the same feat. The Lumia 2520 packs in a 6.7-megapixel rear shooter equipped with ZEISS optics. Also, there is a 2-megapxel front-facing snapper for video calling. Though not everyone would use the tablet to click pictures, there are many uses one can stumble upon with a good camera.
On the other hand, the iPad Air packs in basic 5-megapixel camera and has a frugal 1.2-megapixel front camera. Thus, in the camera department, the Lumia is a clear winner. However, camera quality would not qualify as a deciding factor when choosing which tablet to buy.
Operating system
Needless to say, the operating system would be a critical factor influencing the purchase decision. And the operating system is what is most likely to go against the Lumia 2520. The 2520 tablet is running on Windows 8.1 RT OS. To all those who are not aware, this is a trimmed down edition of the Windows 8.1 OS. As per the Windows website, this OS is specifically designed for light and thin PCs that are powered by ARM processors. Some of the key features are -entire suite of MS-Office apart from some Microsoft apps, like SkyDrive, Xbox Music, Mail and some others which come pre-installed.
However, it is debatable whether the Windows 8.1 RT would give a tough competition to the much praised iOs 7. The iOs 7 comes with enhanced notifications and a vibrant interface. Also the iOs App Store has exhaustive applications unlike Windows app store. Windows has got Instagram only a few days back. Apple is also giving iWork app for free, to compete with the lure offered by Microsoft in the form of free MS-Office suite.
Processor and storage
Like the iPhone 5S, the new iPad Air also packs in the advanced A7 chip. Apple claims that the new tablet is a staggering eight times faster as opposed to the previous version. The 64-bit chip enables faster processing. Apart from providing faster processing, the chip will also make a key difference for developers who will be making a lot of 64-bit apps. Much like the iPhone 5S, even the iPad Air will feature M7 motion co-processor. The iPad Air will be available in 128 GB, 64 GB, 32 GB and 16 GB versions.
For WI-Fi, the new iPad Air features MIMO (multiple –input and multiple output) advanced wireless technology. The technology relies on several antennas for both receiver and transmitter for enhanced connectivity. However, it continues to use the 802.11n standard unlike the advanced Wi-Fi 802.11n AC version.
On the other hand, the Lumia 2520 packs in 2.2 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor. This is the most powerful and the latest processor from Qualcomm that is equipped with 2 GB RAM cache. However, it is also interesting to note that the A7 processor chip has blown out competition in some recently conducted tests. The Lumia 2520 offers 32 GB inbuilt storage and it can be expanded more 32 GB using a micro SD card.
Battery life
Apple claims the iPad Air will provide 10 hours of seamless battery life. Nokia claims the Lumia 2520 offers 11 hours battery life. Additionally, the Lumia 2520 will also function with a Surface style attachment known as Power Keyboard, offering an additional five hours more of battery life. The Power Keyboard can be purchased at 149 dollars.
Pricing
In a move that is set to heat up the competition between the two devices even further, both thenew iPad Air and the Lumia 2520 will feature the same price tag in the United States. Even in India, they are likely to feature the same price. Both the devices are likely to priced starting Rs. 30,000 INR.
Final thought
While iPad Air already enjoys a cult following, Nokia has a lot of work to do and will be starting from scratch since its foraying this segment for the very first time with the Lumia 2520. However, Nokia enjoys a lot of goodwill in a country like India, something on which it is surely banking on.
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When news of the quarter companys revenue decline dominate the whole news about Nokias financial reporting, a new aspect of note is highlighted. If seen sales of Nokia phones running the Windows Phone exceed sales with Nokia for Symbian phones. According to a chart posted on Twitter account Horace Dediu of Asymco, it appears that Windows Phone is slowly but surely killing the sales of Symbian which began last terliaht significantly from 2011 when mobile phones with Microsofts platform was announced. Nokia confirmed last month that it has shipped the last unit of Symbian phones.
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