iPad Air 3 release date delayed to 2016 for iPad Pro this October?

Apple iPad Air 2Apple

Given that Apple has regularly released their iPad products in October or November each year, it has been widely speculated that the iPad Air 3 would be rolled out this October along with the iPad Pro and iPad mini 4. According to a new report, however, this may no longer be the case as the Air 3 has been allegedly pushed to early 2016. 

According to Chinese site Economic Daily News, translated in a report by MacWorld, manufacture of the iPad Air 3 has allegedly been halted in order to focus primarily on the iPad mini 4 and iPad Pro. Production on all other devices have reportedly been suspended in order to meet the launch demands for these two products. However, MacRumors has looked into the rumors and states that Economic Daily News has been quite hit-and-miss when it comes to accurately foretelling release schedules of big name products.  

The report also cites that while Apple might not put all its focus on updating the iPad Air 2 to the iPad Air 3, the company may still get the product out prior to 2016 by delegating its development to third party companies. Apple may release an iPad Air 3 with minimal improvements as they did when moving from the iPad mini 2 to the iPad mini 3. 

DigiTimes also states that Apple isn't producing as many iPad Pro devices as the public assumes. This is probably caused by the unpopularity of tablets when compared to smart phones, particularly those with larger display such as the iPhone 6 Plus. 

Apple has not yet confirmed any of these rumored release dates and, as it stands, any one of these devices may still be launched on time this October or November, along with its new iPhone iteration.