We’ve previously mentioned that Apple may be launching a 9.7″ iPad as the “iPad Air 3”. According to our sources, they were mistaken as the 9.7″ iPad isn’t a new iPad Air, it will be under the iPad Pro line instead.
9to5Mac has stated that this new 9.7″ iPad Pro will have nearly identical features and specifications as the original 12.9″ iPad Pro. As such, the A9X processor, RAM upgrades, as well as the display technology that supports Apple Pencil will also be present on the smaller iPad Pro.
As for the Smart Keyboard cover attachment, Apple is supposedly preparing a smaller version for the 9.7″ model. Colours and storage capacity options will be identical to the 12.9″ variant. For pricing, sources are saying that the 9.7″ model will be priced somewhere within the iPad Air range.
With this development, it seems that Apple will be phasing out the iPad Air line this year. While it is completely possible that Apple may announce a new iPad Air at its event on the 15th of March, the likelihood that Apple will discontinue the iPad Air line is much more likely.
Source: 9to5Mac