Although the iPad Air 3 failed to appear at the 2016 WWDC event, fans of the lineup are still hoping that the new iteration will launch this year, possibly by September.

It was expected that Apple would introduce the new iPad Air 3 in its September launch event last year. However, it is said that the Cupertino-based company had to re-schedule the reveal, and instead went with the iPad Pro to counter Microsoft's then-new Surface Pro 4. However, during the next launch event that took place earlier this year, a newer, 9.7-inch iPad Pro was released instead.

This didn't deter fans of the Air lineup, though. As early as May, rumors of the new iPad Air 3 circulated, and some enterprising fans even checked out supposed concepts of the iPad Air 3. According to rumors, Apple may have gone back to the drawing board and built the new iPad Air slate again in time for a September launch. The new tablet may also possibly come out together with other much-awaited Apple products like the iPad Mini 5, and the iPhone 7.

However, there are some observers who say that since the WWDC will be the third time that Apple could fail to launch the expected iPad Air 3, the company may already have plans to discontinue the entire iPad Air lineup. Reportedly, the smaller, 9.7-inch iPad Pro has already taken over the market for those looking for performance- and mobility-driven Apple slates. Pundits also say that instead of a new iPad Air addition, Apple may already be thinking ahead and will release the iPad Pro 2 instead since it is slated to have another competition with Microsoft, which is reportedly readying the Surface Pro 5 and Surface Book 2 launches later this year.