You have to go as far back as October 2014 to when Apple last updated the iPad Air range with the iPad Air 2. Last month the Cupertino-based company surprised everyone with a refreshed MacBook but no new iPad. This has caused some concern among its tablet-loving fans and experts who think an iPad Air 3 is long overdue. However, rumors about this iPad having been circling online for some time, so let’s take a look.
iPad Air 3 chipset
When the iPad Air 2 launched, it was accompanied by the A8X chipset, a souped-up version of the A8 chip in the iPhone 6s. Apple said at the time that this chip was 40% faster than the iPad Air 1’s A7 chip and also offered improved graphics.
So what is expected in the iPad Air 3? To start with, it would be shocking if Apple didn’t give the chipset an upgrade. Lovers of Apple’s tablets expect at least an A9X or maybe even an A10 Fusion.
Improved rear camera and flash
The 9.7-inch iPad Pro was the first iPad to have flash. Attached to the rear-facing camera, this flash was also accompanied by a front-facing Retina-flash.
Rumors suggest that the iPad Air 3 could get both of these flash technologies. Yes, it is annoying enough when someone holds up a smartphone to record video, so imagine a large iPad in-front of you! According to many iPad owners, they regularly use their devices to take pictures and record video, and it is widely expected that Apple will take advantage of this with the iPad Air 3.
Screen resolution
Before the last Air launched, the rumors circulating talked about how Apple would improve its display. More specifically, they mentioned Retina HD. However, it remained at the same resolution and screen size. Rumors surrounding the Air 3 have also suggested that it will benefit from improved screen resolution. In 2015, the Chinese site MyDrivers made some claims about the tablet’s display specs.
Of those talked about, the one that stood out was about the screen resolution and pixel density. Apparently Apple will increase the display up to 401 ppi, which matches the iPhone 6s Plus and also gives away the size of the screen to be 9.7 inches.
Other predictions
While it is almost a consensus that Apple will improve the resolution of the display, whether or not it will have 4K abilities is not known, but that hasn’t prevented people from saying so. Additionally, the tablet’s dimensions are a hot topic among those who think they know, with the device said to be 0.2mm thick, which is considerably less than the Air 2’s 6.1mm.
There’s also talk about there being a dual-lens camera on the rear of the iPad Air 3. This apparently is because the iPhone 7 Plus has one, and many a tablet owner likes to snap the odd picture.
Waterproofing? According to new rumors, the next iPad Air could be watertight like the latest iPhones.
Release date
For quite some time, the iPad Air 3 was rumored to have been launching in March 2016. It was thought that the tablet would launch alongside the iPhone SE. The latest information has it being unveiled in March 2017, but as for an exact date, no one knows.
