iPad Air 3, iPad Mini 4 Release Dates, Specs, and Rumors; New Tablet Set To Launch in 2016 Q1 But Without 3D Touch

By Mark Aserit
Apple September 9th Event iPad Pro, iPad Mini
Phil Schiller, Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing at Apple Inc, speaks about the full line of iPad pricing during an Apple media event in San Francisco, California, September 9, 2015. Reuters/Beck Diefenbach

The latest iPad  Air is set to hit the market next year, according to a renowned analyst. However, the third-generation of iPad Air series will not have the 3D Touch display of the iPhone 6s. Here's what we know so far about iPad Air 3 and iPad Mini 4 release date, specs and rumors.

Renowned KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims that 3D Touch technology could be not be present in the iPad Air 3. The analyst blames the lack of supply from Apple's material sources.  Those who followed the iPhone 6s release should remember that the company faced issues with regards to meeting the demands. Kou states that the supply chain of the company is currently below 30% utilization.

Apple's 3D Touch is a pressure-sensing technology that allows phone users to access quickly shortcut menus or contents of apps. For example, iPhone 6s owners use this technology to either delete or mark unread messages in Mail by just a swipe of a finger.

As for the release of iPad Air 3, MacWorld published that the device could be launched in the first quarter of 2016. Multiple tech websites have cited the article.  However, Apple may decide to follow their traditional launch timeline as in the releases of the original iPad Air in November 2013 and the iPad Air 2 in October 2014, which were about a year apart from each other. 

As of now, Apple does not have an official announcement regarding the release of iPad Air 3, so Apple iPad fans should take this information with a grain of salt.

Expect the specs and features of third-generation Air are top-of-the-class, as it will house an iOS 9 or higher iOS as standard, an A9X processor, and up to 128GB storage. Moreover, the device is set to be slimmer than its previous versions. It will come in just 6.1mm thick.

Also, the tablet is rumored to have a 4K display of 2334 x 3112. If those reports turn out to be true, the iPad Air 3 will have significant improvements from the 1536 x 2048 resolution of the iPad Air 2.

Tech experts believed the price of iPad Air 3 would start around $610.

On another hand, Apple recently launched the iPad Mini 4 in September. Many gadget lovers adore its faster A8 processor, better cameras, and more vivid Retina display. The device is also capable of doing split-screen apps in iOs 9. Also, the handy size of the Mini 4 is perfect for traveling and people with active lifestyle.

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

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