Retail chain Best Buy's Canadian website has updated its iPad Air 4 listings to say that it will be released on October 23.
Apple is still only saying that the iPad Air 4 will be "available in October," but now retailer Best Buy has posted a date of October 23. This is solely on its Canadian site, with neither Best Buy's American or Mexican websites giving any date.
Consequently, it may be an error or a presumption, but if the release date is correct, then it's possible Apple will begin pre-orders on October 16. This is already the announced pre-order date for the iPhone 12, and iPhone 12 Pro.
Reportedly, Apple Stores began receiving promotional marketing materials for the iPad Air 4 in late September. Then Apple had lately been rumored to announce a release date during its October 13, "Hi, Speed" iPhone event.
Most recently, leaker Jon Prosser claimed confirmation that the iPad Air 4 would ship alongside the new iPhones.
While Apple is now chiefly promoting its iPhone 12 range, and the new HomePod mini, the previously-announced iPad Air 4 was a particularly compelling upgrade to the range. Its new design, and the same A14 Bionic processor that is in the iPhone 12, mean that for the moment it's arguably a better buy than the more expensive 11-inch iPad Pro.
Best Buy Canada's listing was first spotted by MacRumors.