The iPad Air 3 is expected to be unveiled by Apple in March alongside the iPhone 5se and new models of the Apple Watch. As such, the tablet has been the subject of a lot of rumors and leaks recently, with the latest leak seemingly confirming some changes coming to the device.
Macotakara spotted on Sunday a case said to be designed for the iPad Air 3 on a website by retail giant Alibaba. If indeed an authentic one for the iPad Air 3, a closer look at the images reveals that certain features introduced in the iPad Pro are coming to the upcoming tablet.
The design of the case for the iPad Air 3 is largely in line with that of the iPad Pro's case, including a space for the Smart Connector. The connection was first introduced by Apple in the iPad Pro for added stability and reliability for accessories such as keyboards.
Another change can be seen in the camera cutout at the case's back, as the hole appears to be extending further down compared to previous versions. This hints that the iPad Air 3 could have a flash function for its rear camera, which is a feature that even the iPad Pro does not currently have.
The case also shows holes for a total of four speakers, which confirms a report released earlier in January, also claiming that the iPad Air 3 will feature an LED flash.
Users, however, should be skeptical of case leaks, as there are times when accessory makers create designs from rumored features without receiving confirmation from Apple if the features will indeed be included in an upcoming device. Then again, with more than one source pointing to the fact that the iPad Air 3 will feature four speakers and an LED flash, the rumor is becoming more plausible.
Another rumor alleges that the iPad Air 3 will feature a 4K display with 4 GB of RAM and a massive battery, according to supply chain sources. A 4K display would give the tablet a sharper resolution compared to the iPad Pro.
It is claimed, however, the iPad Air 3 will not include Apple's 3D Touch technology.
