iPad Air 3 release date rumors: Apple to push through with another iPad Air?

[photo: YouTube Screen Capture/CTNtechnologynews]

Although Apple already has a wider range of slate iterations with the two versions of the iPad Pro, speculations suggest that the company will still push through with the rumored iPad Air 3.

According to IT Pro, the iPad Air 3 is still coming out. In addition, the industry follower believes that instead of just a refreshed iPad Air version, the upcoming third-generation slate will come out with major upgrades. Rumored updates to the iPad Air 3 include major leaps in internals like 3GB of RAM, the next-gen A10X processor and a number of under-the-hood modifications.

WCCFTech said that the Cupertino-based company intends the new iPad Air version to be a performance-based slate, and not as an all-around, media-centered tablet like the previous iterations.

Apple has yet to confirm the rumors, though. In terms of performance, the company already has the new iPad Pro 2016 released, which offers features and performance much like the professional-level original iPad Pro released last year. In addition, while the new iPad Pro is almost on par with the 12.9-inch hybrid, the new edition is more portable, having a 9.7-inch screen. The dimensions are much closer to those of the iPad Air lineup.

Meanwhile, there are also rumors that with the iPad Pro 2016 now out on the market, Apple is keen on focusing more on a streamlined tablet lineup and may scrap the iPad Air 3. The 9.7-inch new iPad Pro will take its place, while the original 12.9-inch slate will be the top-tier iteration in the iPad lineup. Previous iterations line the iPad Air 2 will then serve as the entry-level slates.

It remains to be seen if Apple will really come out with the iPad Air, as fans expect at least two more upcoming event launches from the company for this year.