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Why You Should Wait for the iPad Air 3

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While Apple didn’t release a new iPad Air last year, it seems that 2016 will finally see a new 9.7-inch iPad. Here’s why you should wait for the iPad Air 3 (or the 9.7-inch iPad Pro, as it could be called).

If you’re in the market for a new iPad, you may be eyeing the iPad Air 2 at the moment, as it’s currently Apple’s flagship 9.7-inch tablet. It’s certainly a great slate without a doubt, coming with an A8X 64-bit processor and 2GB of memory, which is a first for any iOS device. 2GB of memory allows the iPad to perform admirably even if there are tons of apps open in the background.

The latest iPad Air is also thinner than ever and comes with Apple’s Touch ID fingerprint sensor, as well as a gold color option to match the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s. From an overall standpoint, though, the iPad Air 2 keeps the same overall design as the first-gen iPad Air, but the processor boost provides 2.5x faster GPU performance and 40% faster CPU performance than the iPad Air’s A7 chip.

Read: iPad Air 2 Review (2015)

While the iPad Air 2 is a great buy, it actually might be best if you waited just a bit longer, as the iPad Air 3 release is just around the corner, and it’s safe to say that it will be a generous upgrade over the iPad Air 2.

If you’re wanting to buy a new iPad, here’s why you should wait for the iPad Air 3 release.

Faster Performance

Unsurprisingly, the iPad Air 3 will undoubtedly be quicker than the iPad Air 2. This is usually the case with any new iOS device that Apple releases.

iPad-Air-2-iOS-8.3-Review-2

As for what we’ll see exactly in the iPad Air 3, it’s not really known as rumors for the new tablet haven’t been quite ubiquitous recently. However, a recent report from DigiTimes suggests that the iPad Air 3 could come with 4GB of RAM to match the iPad Pro’s own 4GB of memory.

Other than that, the performance boost may not be a huge one compared to the iPad Air 2, as it usually never is for Apple devices, but if you’re wanting the best and the fastest iPad out there, you’ll probably want to wait for the iPad Air 3 to release before making an iPad purchase.

Better Camera

If you’re one who takes a lot of photos with your iPad, waiting for the iPad Air 3 might be a good idea, since it’s a very safe bet that the upcoming tablet will see some improvements in the camera department.

Apple upgrades the iPad Air 2 cameras.

Apple upgraded the iPad Air 2 camera.

The iPad Air 2 takes some pretty decent photos, as well as the ability to record 1080p HD video. Comparing photo quality between the iPad Air and the iPad Air 2 is difficult to do if you don’t have a trained eye for that kind of stuff, but there’s certainly some improvement that can be seen.

With that said, if taking photos on your iPad is important to you, waiting for the iPad Air 3 might be a good thing to do, as you’ll get the best image quality of any iPad, as well as the ability to record better-looking video.

According to 9to5Mac, the iPad Air 3 will sport a 12-megapixel rear-facing camera that will be similar to the camera on the iPhone 6s.

It’s also said that the new iPad will be able to record 4K video, just like on the iPhone 6s.

Cheaper iPad Air 2

Perhaps the best reason to wait for the iPad Air 3 isn’t so that you can buy the iPad Air 3, but to buy the iPad Air 2. However, why would you do this? Because of the cost.

2016 iPad Air 3 Release Date - 4

As with past new releases, Apple will most likely discount the iPad Air 2 by $100 in order to make way for the iPad Air 3. With that said, we’ll likely see the iPad Air 3 debut at $499 for the entry-level model, while the iPad Air 2 will likely stick around starting at $399.

Even when the iPad Air 3 releases, the iPad Air 2 will still be a fantastic tablet — it’s not like it will suddenly experience serious degradation once the iPad Air 3 releases. With that said, a $100 price drop is serious business, and if you’re considering buying a new iPad at that point, take a good hard look at the iPad Air 2 if you’re looking to save a bit of cash, especially if you don’t want to spend $499 on an iPad.

Of course, it’ll be interesting to see how the lineup will look if the iPad Air 3 is branded into an iPad Pro. We’re not sure exactly how that will work, so we’ll have to wait and see what Apple has up its sleeve.

iPad Air 3 Release Date

Of course, the most important reason for waiting for the iPad Air 3 release is because it’s likely right around the corner.

2016 iPad Air 3 Release Date - 2

9to5Mac has reported that Apple is planning to host an event on March 15 to announce several new products, including the iPad Air 3. As far as when the tablet will release, that’s another question, but it could be that day or a couple of weeks afterward.

However, newer reports from Recode and BuzzFeed say that Apple will hold its March event on March 21. All three of these sources are known to be reputable, so we’re not quite sure what to believe, but a March event seems to be agreed upon at least.

In any case, it seems like the iPad Air 3 will release in the early part of 2016, so if you’re thinking about buying a new iPad, I suggest you wait just a little bit longer, especially if you want the 9.7-inch model.

16 Comments

16 Comments

  1. Mac

    07/22/2015 at 8:25 pm

    This is some pretty bad info. You basically help us zero percent, of course the newer ipads will be better. I wasted my time reading this.

  2. Bill

    07/28/2015 at 11:51 am

    This is really one of the worst, least-informative “articles” I have ever read! Um, duh, the iPad Air 3 might be faster, and the Air 2 might get cheaper. Mindlessness at its worst!

  3. Adam

    08/09/2015 at 10:38 pm

    Three minutes of my life I’ll never get back. Plus the 30 seconds writing this.

  4. Francis

    08/11/2015 at 3:46 pm

    Have to agree with the other comments. This is a non article. It is like telling us the sun will come up in the morning.

  5. Lame

    08/15/2015 at 5:02 pm

    Wow that was a terrible article

  6. Pual Robinson

    09/24/2015 at 2:38 pm

    Great write-up! You’ve spelled out key areas where there might be improvement– why it will likely be slight in certain of them– and the type of user (e.g., photography bug or not) for whom certain differences matter.

    Your point was wonderful about waiting for the 3 to get the 2. I’d only add this observation–has one purchased the Air 2 back in Juky, they’d get 3 months at least and maybe 9 months as it may not come out until spring. That’s a lot of,use for $100!

    You need to correct one thing, though:

    “With that said, we’ll see the iPad Air 2 debut at $499 for the entry-level model, while the iPad Air 2 will likely stick around starting at $399.”

    You clearly meant “Air 3 will debut” not the 2

  7. Walt Reynolds

    10/19/2015 at 11:56 am

    Article of no help.

  8. Rick

    02/05/2016 at 11:00 am

    Great article for the consumer. Bad for the speculator. waiting to trade my air 2 for air 3. THANKS.

  9. Dana

    02/07/2016 at 2:27 pm

    I am a mother (pushing 50) who is not as tech savvy as some of you who replied above. I thought the article was helpful even though some of the points were obvious. Having said that, I am still grateful that the gentlemen took the time to write it and I don’t understand why some of the comments were so mean. Apparently, people have either forgotten or never learned that if you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all.
    Dana

  10. Fernando

    02/09/2016 at 3:24 am

    Hey there: I am already 50, and still think this article was an entire waste of time. There are plenty of more substantial points the author could have made, or at least hypothesized about the new iPad that would have made this a decent read, but it looks like the author just want to push something out (sounds like someone was trying to meet a deadline). Terrible!

  11. JayD

    02/22/2016 at 9:10 pm

    If you think this article was a waste of time, then write your own damn article! I appreciate the time and effort spent, even to confirm points that I figured already. It was a simple but decent read!

  12. Susan

    03/01/2016 at 10:02 am

    This article was extremely helpful for those who do not own any ipads. I like the specs of the PRO, but not the size. Thanks for writing!

  13. BDG

    03/01/2016 at 4:32 pm

    2 people mentioning they are 50? So what 50 isn’t even old,is 50 the new 70+?? I thought only the 70 + said how old they where, not 50?
    Actually I am 49 and a computer engineer have been for the last 25 years, I am more tech savvy than the vast majority of teens and early 20s! Age has sod all do with anything, I hate it when people say I am 55 or whatever age usually 50 + say it,and my 4 year Granddaughter knows more about technology than me I can just about use the remote control on the TV!
    arrrghhhhhhhh
    Bloody lazy technophobes.
    Article wasn’t very informative though to be honest.
    Yep it looks like an ipad air 3 or 9.7 pro is about to come out,and yes it will be better than the iPad air 2!
    Better processor,more ram,better camera, and possibly 4 speakers!
    So will be selling my ipad air 2 and getting the air 3 or the 9.7 pro
    Whatever it’s called.

  14. [email protected]

    03/01/2016 at 6:02 pm

    Your article is really UNIQUE. I have been googling about air 3 since a week. None of em mentioned about cost .
    Thanks a lot . I just cancelled my air 2@499$ amazon order..Waiting for air 3 @499$

  15. xrayangiodoc

    03/16/2016 at 6:13 pm

    I just bought a used iPad Air 2 (64 GB Cellular) on eBay with the Apple Smart Case and an extra 6″ long Lightning cable for $430. The items were like new in original packaging and represents a substantial upgrade from my venerable iPad 3. I don’t need to wait for the iPad Air 3 or whatever it’s called.

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