Apple challenges Google tablets with iPad price cuts, slicing up to $169 off year-old tablets

APPLE’S new iPads aren’t the only thing designed to challenge Google, as the company slashes prices on its older tablets by up to $169.

FIVE tablet computers, the lowest ever entry price, three older models, and price cuts up to $169.

Apple is not only keen to sell you on its two new tablets, but it wants to entice Australians to buy any iPad.

In a move analysts say could combat the cheap tablet threat from Google Android, Apple has kept three older iPad models on sale and cut their price by up to 28 per cent.

The year-old iPad Mini 2 — once known as the iPad Mini with Retina Display — received the biggest price cuts, with its 32B Wi-Fi model down by $169 and its 32GB 4G version cut by $160.

The original iPad Air also received a significant discount. The 32GB Wi-Fi model that would have set you back $699 last Thursday is now $150 cheaper, and the 32GB 4G version costs $140 less than its so-last-week price of $849.

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New moves ... Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks about the new iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3 tablets and the iMac with 5K retina display. Picture: AFP

Even the most basic iPad now on sale, the original iPad Mini, has received a price cut of up to $50, and now delivers Apple’s cheapest iPad entry-level price of $299.

Telsyte managing director Foad Fadaghi said Apple’s move to keep three older models on sale, and drop prices, is due to the highly competitive tablet market and is designed to keep pace with the falling price of Google-based tablets.

“Apple has dropped the prices on all the models to make consumers think twice about buying an Android,” Mr Fadaghi said.

“Apple has often used older models as a competitive tool against lower priced Androids.

“The challenge is that Android devices keep getting cheaper. It’s crazy how low those prices can go and it’s now happening on both sides.”

Mr Fadaghi said he today spied one Android-based tablet on sale for just $59 in Australia, delivering a new low in the price of tablet ownership.

Apple’s new iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3 will go on sale in Australian stores this Friday, with starting prices of $619 and $499 respectively.

The tablets will face competition from rival Google-based tablets, however, with Google adding its upcoming Nexus 9 tablet to its Australian store today, priced at $479 for a 16GB Wi-Fi model.