When Will the iPad Air 3 Finally Launch? [Release Date, Specs, Features & Rumors]

There are rumors that the Apple iPad Air 3 model is scheduled for release sometime in 2016 and will most likely feature the same powerful specs as the iPad Pro. Earlier, it was believed that the new tablet would launch in September 2015. However, Apple introduced the iPad Pro instead and no announcements regarding the iPad Air 3 came out.

Based on a report by Chinese tech website MyDrivers, the Apple iPad Air 3 will launch in March 2016. It said that the release date was postponed to put more emphasis on the recently launched iPad Pro and to keep the iPad Air 3 from cannibalizing the sales of the former. The iPad Pro is set to be available in stores beginning November 2015.

Yibada reported that Apple has been offering a variety of tablets to target specific individuals which have not been catered by Apple in the past. The iPad Air 3 is geared towards users who prefer a lightweight and slim product with a smaller screen compared to the iPad Pro, but with relatively the same features and components. The upcoming device is said to focus more on entertainment and media functions, which might place it ahead of the iPad Pro. In terms of price, the iPad Air 3 is also said to be cheaper than the larger 12.9-inch iPad Pro.

The Apple iPad Air 3 is rumored to include a 9.7-inch display with 4K resolution ( or a resolution of 2334 x 3112 pixels at 401pi) . For comparison, the iPad Air 2 had a pixel resolution of 1536 x 2048. The iPad Air 3 is said to be equipped with an A9X processor, 2GB to 4GB of RAM, a fingerprint sensor, Force Touch capabilities, enhanced cameras and a much longer battery life. IT Pro wrote that the size of the battery might decrease and the device might be IPX7 waterproofing certified.

The entry level of the iPad Air averaged around $610 during launch, so the iPad Air 3 is also expected to be priced the same way. Reportedly, there will be a 16GB variant, but if the entry level starts at 32GB of internal memory, the starting retail price will also increase. The maximum storage capacity may be 128GB. IT Pro also revealed that there are talks that the iPad Air 3 may even be thinner compared to its predecessor, which only measures 6.1mm thick.

Apple has yet to confirm the specifications, features, and official launch date for the iPad Air 3. More updates and details are expected to surface soon.