Apple iPad Air 3 release date: New tablet likely to be revealed in March with iPhone 5se

Apple is likely to update its iPad Air line in mid-March. A new 9.7in tablet is expected to debut with stylus or pencil support at an event which is scheduled to take place in the week beginning 14 March.

According to 9To5Mac, the latest iPad is expected to be launched alongside a 4in iPhone, currently dubbed the iPhone 5se. Rumour mills are in overdrive, suggesting the launch of new Apple Watch models at the event.

There is no word on the hardware design specs or internal component details of the forthcoming iPad Air. But going by the past, Apple is likely to incorporate an A9X processor and at least 2GB RAM to the iPad Air 3, to keep up with the standards of previous iPad Air models.

Moreover, some technology bloggers suggest that the new iPad may include a rear-facing LED flash for improved picture quality and extra speaker grills for enhanced sound. The audio feature may be in line with that of the recently released iPad Pro, 9to5 Mac reported.

Apple had earlier stated that its iPad sales declined over the last few years and that the drop in sales revenue was up to 25% in the last quarter, mainly due to lack of upgrades to its iPad Air. However, the company is believed to have tested the new line of iPad Air devices along with the Apple Pencil, introduced for the iPad Pro.

As for the new Apple Watch line-up, the report claimed that the device would be released in new sport band colours ­– including a sport gray/black version of the Milanese Loop and new colours for the line of Hermes bands.