Another Report Claims No iPad Air 3 Launching in Near Future

ipad_air_2_mini_3Apple is expected to announce new iPhones and iPads over the next month or so in preparation for the holiday shopping season, but it remains unclear which iPad models in particular will be unveiled.

It is widely believed that a new iPad mini 4 will be announced, but rumors about the iPad Air 3 and so-called "iPad Pro" and their respective release dates have been inconsistent thus far.

A new report from Taiwanese blog DigiTimes offers some further details, corroborating a previous rumor that Apple is not planning an iPad Air 3 right now and focusing its efforts on the iPad mini 4.

The report claims that Apple's upstream supply chain is readying components for the fourth-generation tablet, noting that it will only have minor upgrades over the current iPad mini. Recent reports suggest the upcoming 7.9-inch tablet will likely be a slimmed down version of the iPad Air 2 and support split-view multitasking.

DigiTimes has a mixed track record at reporting on Apple's upcoming product plans, so its latest report should be treated with a proverbial grain of salt. Moreover, the more reliable Japanese blog Mac Otakara reported in July that an A9-based iPad Air 3 is still possible for 2015, so Apple's roadmap remains unclear and could change between now and the forthcoming iPhone and iPad event.

Apple has faced six consecutive quarters of declining iPad sales year-over-year as the broader tablet market continues to decline.

Related Roundup: iPad Pro
Buyer's Guide: 11" iPad Pro (Neutral)
Related Forum: iPad

Top Rated Comments

Dulcimer Avatar
102 months ago
iPads need wider screens... They absolutely suck for watching movies or other video content thats shot in 16:9 aspect ratio. Your 9.7" screen becomes like 7" because all you see is black bars...
But for almost everything else, the 4:3 aspect ratio is better.
Score: 37 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gsmornot Avatar
102 months ago
The bonus here is that I can feel good about my iPad Air 2, its age and hopefully about it not being coded into extension as fast. I use it daily but don't need/want to buy another for quite some time unless its for someone else.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JoEw Avatar
102 months ago
iPads last too long. People just don't upgrade them that often.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jmpnop Avatar
102 months ago
iPads need wider screens... They absolutely suck for watching movies or other video content thats shot in 16:9 aspect ratio. Your 9.7" screen becomes like 7" because all you see is black bars...
Not everyone's primary need is watching videos, 4:3 is better for almost everything else.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Eadfrith Avatar
102 months ago
A price cut would improve sales
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
brendu Avatar
102 months ago
iPads need wider screens... They absolutely suck for watching movies or other video content thats shot in 16:9 aspect ratio. Your 9.7" screen becomes like 7" because all you see is black bars...
I disagree. I do a whole lot more than watching movies on my iPad and would hate a 16:9 ratio for all the things I do that aren't movies.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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