We expect that later this year, Apple will announce new refreshes to its iPad lineup. This includes the introduction to the rumored 12.9-inch iPad Pro, as well as refreshes to the iPad Air and iPad mini tablets. However according to a new rumor, it has been suggested that this year we might not be treated to a new iPad Air.
Also the rumors claim that this year’s iPad mini refresh could be its last. The reports come from China via the Economic Daily News, so take it with a grain of salt for now. However given that last year’s iPad mini refresh was half-hearted at best, it certainly seems like Apple might no longer be interested in furthering the development of its smallest tablet.
However what’s odd is that there will not be an iPad Air fresh. Apparently this isn’t because the iPad Air isn’t important, it’s just that Apple apparently wants to focus more on producing iPad Pro units and to maximize production, they will be holding off on releasing new iPad Airs until the iPad Pro has been rolled out, which is said to be around November.
This seems to contradict an earlier report in which it was suggested that Apple was actually planning on playing it safe with the iPad Pro and might not be producing as many units compared to other iPads lest the tablet is a flop. In any case like we said, take it with a grain of salt for now, but if the iPad mini were to be discontinued after 2015’s model, would it be greatly missed?