iPad Air 3 Release Date: Apple to Launch New iPad in First Half of 2016 But Without 3D Touch, According to Analyst
Apple's iPad Air 3 is coming soon, according to a renowned analyst. The new iPad, however, will not have the 3D Touch display of the iPhone 6s.
KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kou has released a research note on Apple's upcoming iPad. The research note was obtained by MacRumors.
Kou predicts that the iPad Air 3 will come out in the first half of 2016. Kou's prediction seems to have given credence to the rumors saying Apple will change tactic and announce the iPad Air 3, along with a four-inch iPhone and a new Apple Watch, at a March 2016 event.
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Apple's iPads have previously been announced during the fall. This year's keynote event held in September, however, lacked such an announcement, which seems to boost the rumor even more.
In addition to the release date, Kou dispels rumors of the new iPad having any 3D Touch display feature. The analyst points to production issues in Apple's supply chain. Those who monitored the iPhone 6s release will remember that the company faced issues in terms of keeping up with demand. Value Walk quotes Kou as saying that the 3D Touch put Apple in "one of the most severe production bottlenecks in iPhone 6s supply chain." It's an issue that Apple still needs to address, but the possibility of the feature in future iPad releases is still there.
Apple's 3D Touch is a pressure-sensing technology that allows users to quickly access shortcut menus or preview content within apps. For instance, in the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, users can swipe left or right to either delete or mark as unread message in Mail.
The original iPad Air released in November 2013, while the iPad Air 2 released in October 2014. It remains to be seen when Apple will release the iPad Air 3.
