iPad Mini 3 release date may be earlier than the iPad Air 2 launch, according to the predictions of an analyst.

Reliable Apple analyst Ming Chi Kuo from KGI Securities believes that Apple fans will be able to see the third generation of the iPad Mini in September. The device will probably be launched alongside the new iPhone 6.

In the past, the miniature iPad was released in October. Both the first iPad Mini as well as the iPad Mini with Retina display arrived in the market in October of 2012 and 2013. It was initially speculated that the same will happen this year.

One of the probable reasons for a rumored earlier release is to give the successor of the iPad Air the limelight on its release the following month. Last year, iPad Mini Retina overshadowed the iPad Air 2. Moreover, Apple has a lot of devices rumored to be released in the fall, and the company probably wants to give all of its upcoming devices proper introduction as new MacBooks and iMacs are also rumored to be released in October.

Bloomberg, on the other hand, claimed that the iPad Air 2 will be released either in late September or in early October. The report added that the volume production of the two Apple tablet have reportedly started and are currently underway. The later release of the smaller iPad is due unspecified production constraints.

According to rumors, iPad Mini 3 will retain its 7.9-inch 2048 x 1536 resolution screen packed in iPad Mini Retina. However, some reports stated that Apple may increase the size of the screen panel of the upcoming tablet. The third generation of iPad Mini will also come with the new A8 processor chip and the latest iOS 8 as well as the Touch ID fingerprint sensor. The iPad Mini 3 will be available in 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB variants.