iPad Air 3 Coming Without 3D Touch? [Release Date, Specs, Features & Rumors]

Folks who were planning to get the iPad Air 3 in 2016 may have to lower their expectations a bit with word that the said Apple tablet could be coming out with one less feature, a major one at that.

Apple Insider hints that the 3D Touch feature could be one of the missing features for the next iPad Air variant which could be out by the Spring of 2016.

Speculation of such comes no less from reliable KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo who has so far been consistent with his calls on Apple devices.

This time, he seems to have good reason to say why. He singles out 3D Touch production issues as a possible cause for the feature to be left out. Having the special feature which was the highlight of the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus could lead to problems in satisfying demand.

The iPhone 6s and 6s Plus suffered some bottlenecks from production of the 3D Touch feature and Kuo adds that supply chain capacity utilization is currently lower than peak level of 30% which could likely last until the first quarter of 2016.

To date, Apple has yet to comment or react to the claim so there is still some hope that this feature could be included – though the chances have diminished severely.

People who may be eager to see the iPad Air 3 may very well do so if the 9.7-inch tablet is included in the roster for an Apple event happening this March per IGN. The event is the same time when the Apple Watch 2 and the iPhone 6c are rumored to be coming out in the open.

However, what the iPad Air 3 could be lacking is something that the iPhone 7 could be coming with instead.

Despite forecasts that iPhone sales could see a sales decline in 2016, the iPhone 7 is believed to be coming with the 3D Touch feature.

Such could be because the iPhone 7 is not expected to come out in the open until September or the Fall of 2016, giving it ample time to free up the mentioned bottlenecks 3D Touch has been rendering to the iPhone 6s, with Kuo pointing out that current inventory is higher than other general components as mentioned on 9to5Mac.

The 3D Touch has become an interesting new feature on the iPhone, something that adds a new layer of control that offers new options with the hard press of the app icon on the device.

To date, only a handful of apps have been found compatible with 3D Touch (via Tech Insider), a consolation of sorts in the event that it is not around for the iPad Air 3. But then again, it could only be a matter of time before app developers figure it out so seeing it present with Apple’s next line of devices would still be a concern.