It might take a couple of more months before Apple unveils the iPad Air 3 but various sources are already reporting about the expected features of the company's latest tablet.
Of course, since the slate will be the Cupertino-based tech giant's next-generation tablet, the next entry in the iPad Air line will most likely come with upgraded specs.
As reported by IT Pro, Chinese sources claimed that the iPad Air 3 might sport 9.7-inch display with a resolution of 2334x3112 pixels. Also, due to the public's demand for better camera features iPad models, Apple will reportedly equipe the iPad Air 3 with an 8-megapixel snapper.
For its processor, the tablet is expected to come the with a more upgraded than today's devices. Currently, Apple's latest gadgets are powered by the A9 processor. But for the new tablet, it will probably come with the newer A9X model with around 2 to 4GB of RAM.
Another important feature of the iPad Air 3 is its storage. When the iPad Air 2 was debuted last year, its basic version came with a storage space of 16GB. But, for the upcoming model, Apple could equip it with a better storage capacity by launching a 32GB base version. Also, like previous models, it might also feature support for a microSD card which could bump up the device's total storage space to 128GB.
However, although the device is expected to be an upgraded model, it could lack a feature that Apple is currently using on its latest device. According to Ming-Chi Ku, an analyst for the KGI Securities firm, the company might not equip the iPad Air 3 with force touch technology, according to Value Walk.
This feature, dubbed as 3D Touch, can be found on Apple's iPhone 6S and allows users to input various control options depending on the level of pressure applied by their fingers on the device's screen. Although this is currently known as a high-end feature, Apple might not include it in the upcoming device.
According to Ku, this is because supplying the parts for 3D Touch is challenging for Apple and could cause further problems if it decides to launch the iPad Air 3 with this feature. The analyst noted that these potential problems could end up causing delays in the production and release of the tablet.
As for its official launch, Apple might debut the iPad Air 3 in September of next year to keep in line with its annual release cycle.