iPad Air 3 Release Date This year, Tech Analyst Says; iPad Mini 4 Wows Apple Fans

Jan 05, 2016 10:57 AM EST

Apple iPad Air 3 set to hit the market in the first quarter of the year, renowned tech analyst claims. The latest tablet will also eschew 3D Touch display for practical reasons. Now, here is the latest update in iPad Air 3 and iPad Mini 4 release date, specs and rumors.

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said the third-generation of iPad Air would be out March this year. Also, MacWorld published that the device could be launched in the first quarter of 2016. Multiple technology news websites cited the article.

As of now, Apple does not have an official announcement about the release date of iPad Air 3. However, it is interesting to note that the company has a tradition of launching iPad Air devices during the third quarter of the year.  The first iPad Air was launched in November 2013, and the iPad Air 2 was launched in October 2014.

Going back to the reports about missing the 3D Touch technology in Air 3, Kuo said that Apple Inc. could ditch the feature because of the lack of supply of material sources He also added that the materials needed for the technology are currently below 30 percent utilization, meaning the company would not be able to meet the demand.

iPhone 6s also suffered a lack of the same source materials in the past, but the company found a way to resolve the problem.

Apple's 3D Touch is a pressure-sensing technology that allows gadget users to quickly access shortcut menus or see the contents of the apps.

The third-generation of iPad Air is set to arrive at the same time with the rumored iPhone 6c and second generation Apple Watch. As for the specs of the upcoming tablet, it is expected to feature a 9.7-inch display with a screen resolution of 2334 x 3112 pixels. Moreover, gadget lovers will definitely love its Touch ID feature and 4K resolution.

For the tablet's processing capability, it will be powered by an A9X processor along with 2 GB of RAM. Some say though that it may have as much as 4 GB of RAM. Its camera will boast a 13-megapixel rear snapper and 5-megapixel front snapper. The internal storage capacity of the tablet will start at 16 GB up to 128 GB. A longer battery life and a fingerprint sensor are also expected.

Meanwhile, Apple recently launched the iPad Mini 4 last year. Most gadget lovers adore its faster-processing power, clearer cameras, and more vivid Retina display.

In a gadget review from CNET, Apple iPad Mini 4 earned 8.5/10 score.