AppleInsider Staff
Consumers are finding some iPad models difficult to get their hands on, as resellers have begun showing depleted stock ahead of a late March press event at which Apple is widely expected to debut the iPad Air 2's successor.
As indicated in AppleInsider's own price guides, numerous iPad models are on backorder or simply sold out. The iPad Air and Air 2 — the two devices most likely to be supplanted — are experiencing the most serious stock outs.
Also affected are older iPad mini versions. While the iPad mini 4 is still in abundant supply, the mini 2 is harder to find.
The supply constraints don't appear to affect Apple's own retail channels, as the majority if iPad models are currently listed as "In Stock" through the company's online store.
Apple is rumored to introduce the so-called iPad Air 3 alongside a new 4-inch iPhone at a press event on March 22. Some reports have suggested that Apple may actually brand it as a smaller iPad Pro, bringing with it support for the Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard.
Charles Martin
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19 Comments
iPad changes...
• iPad mini 2: Discontinued
• iPad mini 4: 16GB model will see a price drop.
• iPad Air: Discontinued
• iPad Air 2: Price dropped
• iPad: Air moniker dropped. All of the same features as the Pro; Pencil Support, Smart Connector, A9 clocked @ 2.4GHz, 2GB RAM, and only come with 32GB or 64GB, no 128GB option. Screen size, processor, memory, and storage specs kept lower to differentiate from Pro model.
iPhone...
• iPhone 5s: Discontinued
• iPhone SE: Upgraded iPhone 5s to an A8 SoC and NFC for ApplePay support.
• iPhone 6s mini: 4" variant of the 6s - all the same features.
Mac...
• MacBook Air: Discontinued
• MacBook: current model price dropped, new model released with 2 USB-C ports.Updated...
Oops, my bad. I meant the iPhone SE updated for ApplePay support, not TouchID.
Pretty sure we'll see a base iPad with 32GB for $499 and an upper end iPad with 128GB for $649. Two tiers only. Makes killer sense and profits for Apple and keeps customers happy. MacBook Air will see no updates...it's legacy. New MacBook with a second USB port.