It's been more than a couple of years since Apple's lauded iPad Air line received a significant upgrade. Despite the lack of an official announcement, the rumor mill is churning a slew of speculations around an alleged iPad Air 2 successor's release date, specs, price and other details. Is the tech world ready for the new Apple iPad Air 3 2017?

The Cupertino-based tech firm took the wraps off a 9.7in iPad Air Pro alongside its iPhone SE, iOS 9.3 and brand spanking new Apple Watch straps at the company's March 2016 event, where it also released an update for the 10-inch iPad. Nevertheless, this stirred conversations about the iPad Air range's fate among tech buffs.

Moreover, there haven't been leaks about an impending 7.9in iPad either, meaning, the iPad mini range could be on the brink of been abandoned as well. Some tech gurus believe Apple could opt to only launch iPad Pros in the future; however, that seems highly unlikely. Let's round up all of the rumors surrounding the iPad Air 3 2017 release date, specs, price and other details.

Latest Update: It looks like Apple will not deviate from the rumored schedule and unveil four new iPad Pro models i.e. 7.9-in, 9.7-in, 10.5-in and 12.9-in models, according to a recently surfaced report from Mac Otakara (via PC Advisor).

Except for the 10.5-inch model, all other sizes are slated to ship at the end of March. The 10.5-inch variant may not ship until May. The website suggests that the purported 9.7-inch model could actually be the long-awaited iPad Air 3. It remains to be seen whether or not this claim comes to fruition.

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo hinted at three new iPads back in Aug. 2016, but he recently changed those predictions to some extent. Here's what he thinks Apple will have to offer in 2017:

A budget friendly 9.7-inch iPad powered by an A9 processor i.e. the Air 3
A 10-10.5-inch iPad sporting ultra-thin bezels -- possibly a new iPad Pro packed with a new A10X chip
A long-rumored follow-up to the original 12.9-inch iPad Pro. The new version could pack the A10X chip along with an array of upgraded specs, 9To5Mac reported.

Although Kuo didn't hint at an imminent arrival of any iPad mini models, the noted analyst predicted that there will be a hike in the average selling price of iPads as a result of decreasing exposure to iPad mini, implying that Apple may not come out with any new models at all.

Multiple sources suggest the economical 9.7-inch model will use the A9 chip. Apple could employ the previous generation chip from the existing iPad Pro models or the iPhone 6S but lower the price and most likely, even some features.

Apple iPad Air 3 2017 Release Date

Apple hosted a special event on Monday, March 21 last year. This year, March 21 is a Tuesday, so quite a few sources believe the company could hold the 2017 launch either on March 20 (Monday) or March 21 (Tuesday). Nevertheless, there's no word regarding an iPad Air 3's presence at the rumored launch event.

Apple iPad Air 3 2017 Price (UK)

If Apple comes out with an iPad Air 3 in 2017, the new tablet could cost £399 (about $487) for the 32GB, Wi-Fi only model. This is the company's standard price for the full-size iPad.

Apple iPad Air 3 Rumored Specs

Previously surfaced rumors about the iPad Air 3 were later divulged to be the new iPad Pro equipped with the four-speaker audio system, A9X chip, and the Apple Pencil support. In other words, iPad enthusiasts will have to continue hazarding guesses regarding the possible iPad Air 3 2017 specs until Apple official reveals the device's specs and other details.

Stay tuned in here for more Apple iPad Air 3 2017 news and updates!