iPad Air 3, iPad Mini 5 release date, specs, rumors: Will the iPad Mini and iPad Air series be discontinued?

Clarissa Partosa Sunday, January 29, 2017

Featured in the image are the Apple iPad Air and the Apple iPad 3 | Wikimedia Commons/Maurizio Pesce

The new iPad Mini and iPad Air are highly anticipated by Apple fans, but there is still no confirmation if the company will be launching new tablets to continue on their series.

Apple has been one of the leading innovators when it comes to tablet technology, and new releases for their iPad Mini and iPad Air series have been highly anticipated. However, the company has not yet confirmed when the new iPad Mini 5 and iPad Air 3 tablets will be released or if they will still continue the series.

There are several rumors pointing out that Apple will discontinue the iPad Air series, scrapping an iPad Air 3 device, but it is still anticipated to be released sometime this year according to Mobile N Apps.

This is because the iPad Air is not comparable to the new iPad Pro models, and it is expected that Apple is taking its time to refine the upcoming iPad Air 3. The iPad Air 3 is anticipated to be the slimmest of all Apple's tablets, and it will be available in Gold, Space Grey, Silver, and possibly in Rose Gold.

There are also rumors that the iPad Air 3 will come with Apple Pencil support, an A9X chip, a new four-speaker audio system, and an enhanced camera.

Meanwhile, the iPad Mini series is also in danger of being extinct, but it won't be confirmed until an Apple Keynote Event announces it according to PC Advisor.

One of the reasons why the iPad Mini might be discontinued is because Apple is planning to make the iPhone 8 have a 5.5-inch screen, which is already close in range to the iPad Mini sizes.

However, if Apple does push through with an iPad Mini 5, it is anticipated to feature Series 7000 aluminum, which is used for iPhone 6S and iPhone 7, to make it sturdier but lighter.

It is also expected to not look much different from the iPad Mini 4 as it will most likely have a 7.9-inch Retina display as well. Similar to the iPad Air 3, the iPad Mini 5 is expected to have the same variety of color options, including the famous Rose Gold variation.