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iPad Air 3 to be released in first half of 2016, but unlikely to have 3D Touch

By Kenny Yeo - on 16 Dec 2015, 9:57am

iPad Air 3 to be released in first half of 2016, but unlikely to have 3D Touch

Noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo from KGI has just said a set of research notes today that Apple's next 9.7-inch tablet, likely be called the iPad Air 3, will be out in the first half of 2016.

Word on the street now is that the iPad Air 3 will likely be announced some time in March, where Apple is expected to unveil the Apple Watch 2 as well.

However, the Kuo also said that the iPad Air 3 is unlikely to have 3D Touch because of production issues.

Kuo wrote:

We forecast that iPad Air 3 will opt not to feature 3D Touch because of production issues.While we think the 3D Touch supply chain produced more to avoid shortages in the early stages, slower end-product demand and improved back-end assembly yield have resulted in the current high inventory. As 1Q16 demand looks to slow on seasonality and competition from other brands’ new models, we believe 3D Touch supply chain capacity utilization is currently lower than peak level of 30%, and that will last through 1Q16.

Well, we can't say that we are surprised given that the iPad Air 3 has a much larger display compared to iPhone 6s and 6s Plus. This makes it hard for the sensors which detect minute differences in pressure to work.

Will the lack of 3D Touch be a deal breaker for you?

Source: 9to5 Mac

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