The Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 was expected to be released last month, but that obviously did not pan out. A new rumor suggests that it will be launched early next year instead.

Users will remember that the new Galaxy Tab was expected to be released last September as stated on the company's website in Colombia.

However, Sam Mobile is now reporting that the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 will be released during the first quarter of 2017, which is way off than what has been expected.

The next-generation model was expected to be released as early as July this year since it was the same month its predecessor was launched. However, it looks like Samsung is waiting it out.

It is unknown at the moment if this decision has something to do with Apple expected to release new iPads early next year as well, and Samsung might be working to steal the thunder of the Cupertino-based tech firm's tablet offerings.

As usual, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 will come in two versions. There will be a Wi-Fi model for the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3, with the model number SM-T820, while an LTE variant will come with the model number SM-T825.

There are no details on the sizes of the displays, although the device is expected to come in an 8-inch display version and a 9.7-inch version like its predecessors.

Not information about the specifications and the features of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 are known yet, although it is expected to come with a faster processor and upgrades on both hardware and software.

Last year's versions came with Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 processor. By 2017, fans would expect a more advanced chipset running the tablet.

Qualcomm is coming out with its next-generation mobile processor, the Snapdragon 830, although it is unknown if Samsung will use it on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3.

What's clear for now is that the South Korea-based software giant will manufacture these mobile processors using the 10nm process.