Apple iPad Air lineup has been plagued with rumors -— mostly concerning its cancellation altogether due to the company's decision to streamline its offerings. However, there are still those who believe that the iPad Air 3 could drop sometime in the fourth quarter of this year.

It was previously reported that the iPad Air 3 could be facing the axe. The rumor stemmed from the device's absence at the recent Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June. It also did not make an appearance last year in September during the event for the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus. Additionally, word regarding the upcoming iPad Pro being close to the Air lineup has also added fuel to the already blazing fire.

However, there is still some belief that the device could see a launch in the fourth quarter. Based on historical data, there is reason to believe that the iPad Air 3 could be introduced sometime in October. The first iteration of the iPad Air was unveiled on Oct. 22, 2013 and the second generation of the device on Oct. 16, 2014. And while it did not see a new iteration in 2015, it stands to reason that the tablet could launch in October.

Moreover, older versions of the iPad Air have recently seen a discounted price among U.S. retailers. And as is the case with many gadgets in the industry, a decrease in sales price indicates a new iteration being released.

In the United Kingdom, it is believed that the iPad Air 3 could drop sometime in November, according to a PC Advisor report. It also posits that the iPad Air lineup may not be phased out because of its ultimately more affordable price. Even though it has its similarities with the iPad Pro in terms of specs and design, there is no denying that the Air is much cheaper than its Pro counterpart. 

Since these are all just rumors, though, tech enthusiasts should take this news with a grain of salt until an announcement is officially made.