Apple Not Planning to Release Next-Generation iPad Air This Year?

China-based tablet supply chain makers such as Holitech, Shenzhen DPT-Touch and Silead, in view of decreasing orders from China-based white-box vendors, have been seeking orders for other applications such as smartphones, industrial control, automotive devices and wearables, according to industry sources.

The sources pointed out that Apple has turned conservative about its tablet product line and is not planning to release a next-generation model to replace the existing iPad Air tablet; however, Apple is ready to release its fourth-generation iPad mini and the related supply chain is already preparing the device’s components. The fourth-generation model will only have a few small upgrades from the third-generation one.

Even if no iPad Air 3 is released this fall, iPad users have iOS 9 to look forward to which brings new Slide Over, Split View Multitasking, and Picture in Picture features.

With large-size smartphones also biting off demand, tablet vendors such as Apple, Samsung, Lenovo, Asustek Computer and Amazon are expected to face more pressure on their sales performance.

[Source]