iPad Air 3 Release Date, Specs, Features & Rumors: No 3D Touch? Device Out by March?

The iPad Air 3 is now expected to launch in March 2016, but the early release comes at a cost.

A new report claims that, unfortunately, the highly anticipated iPad Air 3 won't be having the 3D Touch due to issues in Apple's production supply chain.

Mac Rumors received information via reliable source and accurate Apple predictor Ming-Chi Kuo, who is an analyst at KGI Securities.

Kuo reportedly released research notes on Apple devices this week, and they include forecasts on the much-awaited iPad Air 3. As reported before, the latest 9.7-inch tablet instalment from Apple is expected to launch by the first quarter of 2016. Apple's March event is the platform being looked upon for the launch, which will reportedly likely include appearances from the 4-inch iPhone 6c and the Apple Watch 2.

According to First Post, the second-gen Watch could ship as early as April, since its predecessor began shipping in the same month this year. In addition, it is known that the U.S. tech giant had begun developing technologies for other Apple Watch models prior to the shipping of the first gen watch.

The KGI analyst also reported on the iPhone 7, which he claimed will use 3D Touch technology like the iPhone 6s.

"3D Touch to improve user experience of touch panel long term, but won't contribute much to near-term shipments," Kuo reported.

Unfortunately, this good tiding on the iPhone 7 doesn't translate to the new iPad Air 3.

The analyst's forecast reported that the "...new iPad Air 3 in 1H16F is unlikely to feature 3D Touch. 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," he added. "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 the peak level of 30%, and that will last through 1Q16."

According to 9to5mac, the first half of 2016 launch window could mean that Apple might bring about the upgraded iOS 10 features for their new devices during the WWDC in June.

In other Apple news, KGI, in a separate client note, predicted the iPhone to have less shipments in 2016. This forecast comes in light of yesterday's report via Morgan Stanley.