MacBook Air 2016 release date, specs news: Apple delays launch of Mac Air this year; New design coming next year?

Miguel Salonga Wednesday, August 24, 2016

It has been a while since Apple updated MacBook Air's design, and earlier reports suggested that the Cupertino-based tech giant will be releasing the latest design of the laptop this year. Unfortunately, those tech enthusiasts looking forward to the 2016 MacBook Air may need to wait a little longer, as it is now rumored that Apple will delay the production of the new Mac Air until 2017.

Reports indicate that Apple's MacBook Air family could be scrapped as the tech giant consolidates all its laptop/notebook series under the MacBook Pro lineup. | APPLE

As reported by Game N Guide, Apple is expected to be very busy this year with a lineup of new devices arriving in the coming months. It may be possible that the company will find the time to pay attention to the MacBook Air brand, although Apple is also reported to update its other popular flagship laptop, the MacBook Pro.

If the rumors are anything to go by, Apple will be prioritizing the release of MacBook Pro 2016 in the coming months, leaving them no time for this year to focus on developing MacBook Air. If anything, the latest Mac Air is not expected to arrive until the early part of 2017.

Meanwhile, BGR also raised the possibility that Apple may decide to discontinue the production of MacBook Air. This is possible as Apple is still busy with the MacBook Pro 2016, as well as the new iPhone 7 and the next iteration of the Apple Watch. These devices are all expected to be released this year, and in this case, the MacBook Air 2016 may no longer happen.

It is possible that the MacBook Air will be completely phased out as its 11-inch design is said to be replaced by the recent Retina MacBook. Meanwhile, the current 13-inch MacBook Air is expected to be replaced by the 13-inch MacBook Pro that is said to have almost the same price, but has better features than the MacBook Air.

Apple has not yet confirmed the development of the new MacBook Air, but as early as now, the rumors suggest that the supposed 2016 Mac Air will be sporting a Touch ID fingerprint recognition feature. It may also be the first Mac laptop to feature Siri as the user's personal assistant.