Rumor: Apple to unveil iPad Air 2, updated Retina iPad mini in October

With the vast amount of iPhone 6 and 6 Plus launch kerfluffle generally behind us, it’s time to turn our attention to Apple’s next-gen iPad Air, which could be introduced sometime in October if Apple’s October 21 event is any indication.

Per Taiwan’s Commercial Times, the next-gen iPad Air will enter production in September, shipping next month.

Commercial Times also suggests that the next-generation Retina iPad mini might not launch alongside the iPad Air, coming instead in early 2015, with a 12.9-inch “iPad Pro” to follow in the second quarter of 2015.

While the rumor suggesting the 12.9-inch iPad Pro will be coming in the second quarter of 2015 is in line with previous rumors, there has been no prior indication that second-generation iPad Air and the next-generation Retina iPad mini will see separate launch timelines.

Previous rumors have indicated that both the Retina iPad mini and the iPad Air 2 will be introduced simultaneously at an event in October. A recent rumor suggested the two tablets could be introduced at an October 21 media event, but that prediction was quickly shot down. Current rumors do not, however, rule out an event at another date in October, so an October unveil of the two tablets remains likely. According to recent report from Bloomberg, the iPad Air 2 is in production and the Retina iPad mini 2 is entering production soon.

Both the next-generation iPad Air and Retina iPad mini are expected to gain updated A8 processors, camera improvements, and the Touch ID fingerprint sensor first introduced with the iPhone 5s. Apple’s iPad Air 2 may also gain an anti-reflective screen coating and it may also ship in gold, silver, and space gray, much like the iPhone.

Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.