Fans have been waiting long for the rumored iPad Air 3 to make its appearance. However, with Apple having released a 9.7-inch iPad Pro instead, there are speculations that the iPad Air lineup is no more.

According to Gamenguide, a new iPad is scheduled for release early next year, possibly with another March launch event from Apple. However, instead of the rumored iPad Air 3, the new iteration may be a follow-up to the iPad Pro lineup instead.

Speculations of Apple discontinuing the iPad Air series started early this year. Previously, it is expected that the Cupertino-based tech giant will be showcasing the new iPad Air as early as September last year. However, instead of the iPad Air 3, Apple managed to go head-to-head with Microsoft's Surface Pro lineup by coming out with a professional-level iPad Pro. New rumors surfaced, saying that the company has set back the iPad Air 3 to an early 2016 release.

However, in the recent March launch event, Apple once again came out with a surprise lineup addition – a scaled-down iPad Pro. Retaining most of its professional-level features, the 2016 edition packs a 9.7-inch display instead of the original 12.9-inch screen. This leads some of the fans to wonder if Apple really plans on cancelling the iPad Air 3, since the 9.7-inch screen domain has long been the domain of the iPad Air series.

Meanwhile, speculations also suggest that instead of an expansion, Apple will be into streamlining their products come next year. For its slate lineups, Rumors say that the entry-level, regular-specs series will be taken over by the iPad Air 2, while the most top-tier tablet in the 9.7-inch category will be a new, smaller iPad Pro. In addition, it is expected that another 12.9-inch iPad Pro 2 will be revealed together with the new lineup.