Apple will reportedly release a 9.7 inch iPad Pro release, instead of iPad Air 3. (Photo : YouTube/R iz)
Amid rumors that Apple will finally the iPad Air 3 at its purported Mar. 21 event, there are speculations from analysts that the much-awaited tablet will not be released this month as the tech company will shut down the line.
There is a growing suspicion that Apple will kill the iPad Air and will introduce a smaller variant of iPad Pro, according to Investor Place. This is mainly because of the declining sales of the tablet. For a few years, there has been a decrease in overall tablet sales, a trend that is not limited to Apple.
Since tablet sales are decreasing, hybrid devices have a newfound success. Apple's iPad Pro is the company's take on hybrid devices, although reports claimed that consumers are hesitant to upgrade their tablets in a yearly basis like smartphones; thus, the decrease in sales.
According to 9to5 Mac, signs are pointing that Apple will pack the same old 9.7-inch iPad Pro. If rumors proved to be true, there is no way that Apple will sell an iPad Air 3 with the same screen size for it will only cannibalize the sales of the two devices.
The 9.7 inch iPad Pro will reportedly cater to consumers that are looking for tablets with slightly smaller screen size than iPad Pro, but with the same specs and features with the bigger iPad Pro. Doing this is nothing new for the company as Apple has done this in 2011 when it discontinued the consumer-focused 13-inch MacBook and left the 13-inch MacBook Pro to fill its spot in the line-up. The MacBook Pro was aimed at professionals, but proved just as popular for consumers despite costing $200 more than the discontinued model.
Meanwhile, Taiwanese publication DigiTimes cited Taiwanese suppliers saying that the new tablet's release will be delayed and that production of the device will begin in the second quarter. Apple has a habit of making the device available on the day or just a week later after the announcement.
The delay could also be prompted by the fire that happened in Foxconn headquarters. Foxconn is one of the major partners and suppliers. Although Foxconn is quick to say that supply of components for Apple will not be affected by the recent fire, there are speculations that the Chinese company is just covering it up.
Until now, there is no concrete information whether Apple will hold an iPad Air 3 release soon.
