Updated iPad 2 with 32nm A5 chip yields up to three hours more battery life

The fine line between old and new product is always hazy in the world of Apple. With each flagship launch, it has perfected the art of “refreshing” older products, selling them at a discount but keeping them feeling modern. This was one after the launch of the iPad 2, the iPhone 4 and 4S, reducing in price their predecessors while keeping them available to the more price-conscious.

Apple has gone one step further with the iPad 2, though. After launching the new iPad, it also updated its A5 chip in the iPad 2 to a smaller 32nm part. This reduced power consumption and increased battery life anywhere from an hour and a half to three hours.

If you’re looking to pick up an iPad 2 for $399, make sure that the model number is iPad 2,4 — those are the ones with the more modern architecture.

Source: Anandtech