KGI Security analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has published a report that suggests that the iPad Air 3 will launch in the first half of 2016. According to him, it could also be unveiled at the company’s March event alongside the rumored 4-inch iPhone and the next-gen Apple Watch.
Though he further notes that the iPad Air 3 won’t be featuring the 3D Touch display found on the latest iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus. He believes that developing 3D Touch displays is one the primary hassles in iPhone 6S supply chain, which is the reason it will not be introduced with the upcoming iPad Air 3.
Going by the company’s past trends, Apple announced the 12-inch Retina MacBook and the Apple Watch pricing along with release date information at its March 2015 event. Hence, the same would most likely be the case with next iteration of iPad Air and Apple Watch.
Kuo also shared his thoughts about the upcoming iPhone 7; he said that the next-gen iPhone will indeed have the same 3D Touch technology used in its predecessor and is expected to be announced around the usual September timeframe. Apple has reportedly also opened up a secret manufacturing facility in Taiwan where it’ll be researching and developing display panels.
While earlier reports also suggested that Apple is planning to ditch the conventional LCD displays currently used in iPhones for the more evolving OLED technology. Apple is expected to start deploying OLED screens in its upcoming iPhones starting 2018. Currently, the Cupertino giant only uses OLED screens for the Apple Watch, which has a comparatively smaller display compared to smartphones and tablets. Hence, the company does not need them in large quantities.
Therefore, having its own production facility to manufacture display technologies, Apple will not have to solely rely on its rivals such as Samsung, LG, Sharp and other third party manufacturers to get display units for its devices.
