KGI’s Ming-Chi Kuo is out with a set of research notes today highlighted by ‘iPad Air 3’ forecasts. Notably, the newest 9.7-inch Apple tablet is expected to be released in the 1st half of 2016, perhaps at the March event we’ve pinned to include the Apple Watch 2 with a possible appearance of the 4-inch iPhone 6c. The bad news is that like the iPad Pro, the new iPad Air 3 isn’t likely to have 3D Touch, which is a big part of the new iPhone 6s/Plus experience, according to the analyst…
A 1st half 2016 launch window might also include early June’s WWDC which might be a good spot to highlight expanded capabilities of iOS 10.
Kuo also touched on the upcoming iPhone 7 which will unsurprisingly use the same 3D Touch technology as the iPhone 6s.
In a separate client note, KGI reiterated (in the wake of the bearish Morgan Stanley report yesterday) that it forecasted lower than expected iPhone shipments for 2016.
3D Touch to improve user experience of touch panel long term, but won’t contribute much to near-term shipments. We think only more apps supporting 3D Touch and continued improvement of 3D Touch UI design will support increased use of 3D Touch. 3D Touch one of the most severe production bottlenecks in iPhone 6s supply chain; current inventory higher than other general components.
