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Woodcrest64

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Aug 14, 2006
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Just wondering what your thoughts are on what the specs would be and a likely release for the iPad Air 3 would be.

The other option is Apple discontinues the iPad Air line and reduces the price of the Pro 9.7 when the 2nd generation is released.
 
Just wondering what your thoughts are on what the specs would be and a likely release for the iPad Air 3 would be.

The other option is Apple discontinues the iPad Air line and reduces the price of the Pro 9.7 when the 2nd generation is released.

Umm the new 9.7 inch iPad Pro IS the "Air 3" the difference is they just changed the names from Air To Pro because the word "Pro" sounds so so much more appealing and attention grabbing to people and will be more of a money earner to Apple then the word "Air" just like they changed the names from the iPad 4 to the iPad "Air" couple years ago!

So there won't be a iPad "Air" 3 as it IS the new 9.7 inch iPad Pro, basically just think of the new 9.7 Pro is the "Air 3"!!
 
I find this topic interesting regardless. What do others think the iPad Air 3 could possibly be, given that the iPad Pro 9.7" has essentially the exact same form factor, screen size and ergonomics as the iPad Air 2?
 
Just wondering what your thoughts are on what the specs would be and a likely release for the iPad Air 3 would be.

The other option is Apple discontinues the iPad Air line and reduces the price of the Pro 9.7 when the 2nd generation is released.

I think the Air moniker has had its time, expect the mini and pro lines to continue but not the Air, so no iPad Air 3. I think you will see the Macbook Air disappear too and be replaced with new Macbook Pro's which are much thinner and the budget Macbook range will be based around the 12" model.
 
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With such a small gap between the performance and specs of the Air Pro 9.7 and the Air 2, Apple didn't leave any room for an Air 3 to exist without being better than the Pro (which wouldn't make sense). My guess is we won't be seeing an Air 3 until they upgrade the Pro again.
 
The Air 3 will come out just after the iPad 5; you know, the successor to the iPad 4. Apple took some time off to work on the Air line, but we're due for the iPad 5 any time now.
 
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Very slim chance that one will be released but if there is, I expect $499 starting price with A9X but without the nicer cameras, TrueTone, Apple Pencil and Smart Connector, and only 2 speakers instead of 4. Possibly only 16GB entry level storage, too.
 
Very slim chance that one will be released but if there is, I expect $499 starting price with A9X but without the nicer cameras, TrueTone, Apple Pencil and Smart Connector, and only 2 speakers instead of 4. Possibly only 16GB entry level storage, too.

I suppose a lower starting price might be a compelling enough feature who just want to bump up their iPad 2. So it's a minor iPad Air 2 refresh with just a faster processor.

...

One thing I know for sure, I'm not going to buy that as an enthusiast. And I'm pretty sure it won't convince anyone with an iPad Air 2 to upgrade.
 
Just wondering what your thoughts are on what the specs would be and a likely release for the iPad Air 3 would be.

The other option is Apple discontinues the iPad Air line and reduces the price of the Pro 9.7 when the 2nd generation is released.

New iPad Air 3
A9 CPU
2GB DDR4 RAM
True Tone Display
Quad Speakers
Same body and everything as iPad Pro (to save money on parts)
Camera same as 6s
No Apple Pencil support
No smart Connector
32GB $499 next year it gets dropped to $399 and iPad Pro 9.7 then 2 years old hits $499

Causes everyone to just Buy the iPad Pro for $100 More
 
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My guess is they do what they did when they kept the iPad 2 around forever. Air 2 is the new "perpetual iPad" on the backburner for price sensitive 9.7 buyers. The Air2 price stays the same for the next two or three releases. As someone already mentioned, Pro is the new Air. Nice new high price point with big margins. If sales aren't high enough, maybe they drop the price a little bit. But my guess is that the next 9.7 model is the "New iPad Pro 9.7"
 
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My guess is they do what they did when they kept the iPad 2 around forever. Air 2 is the new "perpetual iPad" on the backburner for price sensitive 9.7 buyers. The Air2 price stays the same for the next two or three releases. As someone already mentioned, Pro is the new Air. Nice new high price point with big margins. If sales aren't high enough, maybe they drop the price a little bit. But my guess is that the next 9.7 model is the "New iPad Pro 9.7"
To be accurate, Apple didn't exactly keep the iPad 2 around forever. It's just the first iPad to receive such long-term support (granted, it's possible that may be due to business and education contracts).

Spring 2012
iPad 3: $499
iPad 2: $399

Fall 2012
iPad 4: $499
iPad 2: $399

Fall 2013
iPad Air: $499
iPad 4: $399

Fall 2014
iPad Air 2: $499
iPad Air: $399

Spring 2016
iPad Pro 9.7: $599
iPad Air 2: $399
 
Couldn't be happier to have purchased the all new 9.7" iPad Pro, the most powerful 9.7" iPad that Apple has manufactured to date - to have purchased anything else would have been taking a giant leap backwards.
 
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Couldn't be happier to have purchased the all new 9.7" iPad Pro, the most powerful 9.7" iPad that Apple has manufactured to date - to have purchased anything else would have been taking a giant step backwards.

Well, in terms of most powerful, that is the 12.9 Pro, but back to the point of the thread, there won't be an Air 3, there is no room for one.
 
I think the Air moniker has had its time, expect the mini and pro lines to continue but not the Air, so no iPad Air 3. I think you will see the Macbook Air disappear too and be replaced with new Macbook Pro's which are much thinner and the budget Macbook range will be based around the 12" model.

I agree with this.. makes sense.
 
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I think that later this year we'll see a new iPad, maybe with a few extra bits and pieces, but without things like pencil and smart connector, in 9.7 and 7.9-inch size points. Will probably just be called 'iPad' without any extra names.
 
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