MacBook Air 2016 Release & Specs: Thinner 12-in Laptop Debuting March With Force Touch, Skylake Processors; MacBook Pro 2016 Arriving June [Rumors]

While Apple released a 13-inch MacBook Air with Retina display early this year, there are strong indications that a new version could be in the market sometime March 2016.

Yibada reported the release date following a usual trend by Apple to launch its MacBook Air and iPad products is in the spring. It should be noted that the current version of MacBook Air, a 13-inch device with Retina display, was released in March 9, 2015, per Apple. However, Blorge reported that the new MacBook Air might make its first appearance during the Worldwide Developers Conference, which happens every mid-year.

Specs to the upcoming laptop will have some minor changes to its aesthetics and could retain its familiar design that is similar to what is already in the market. Latino Post reported that the device might come with a 12-inch version Retina display, apart from the usual 13-inch and 15-inch model. The news outlet also stated that the new MacBook Air could be fitted with a powerful Intel Skylake processor, which can bring better graphics, battery life and RAM.

Australia News Network reported that Apple may also add Force Touch technology to the newest Air laptop, a feature that is already being enjoyed by Apple Watch users. Force Touch technology was introduced to Apple for the first time with the release of the Apple Watch this year.

The newest MacBook Air is also speculated to be packed with an 8 GB or 16 GB 1600 MHz LPDDR3 and Intel HD Graphics 5300. It might further be supported with a 512 GB PCIe-based flash storage. The device could also make use of USB Type-C support, with a capacity to run the latest Apple OS, El Capitan.

With a slightly thinner make and frame, the incoming MacBook Air's internal parts is where Apple could make major redesigns and changes, as new components to the laptop should be developed to fit the 12-inch model, according to MacRumors. Apple's suppliers are said to be closely working with the company ever since the speculations and rumors to MacBook Air surfaced.

Following the release of MacBook Air in 2016, MacBook Pro's latest model will soon follow at retail stores. Per Yibida, Apple could launch the laptop by June 2016.

Meanwhile, there have also been speculations that MacBook Air will soon be phased out of Apple's product line, especially with the launch of the iPad Air. Analysts have been betting on this to happen in due time, as previously reported on Parent Herald. But the constant rumors emerging about MacBook Air's new model release indicate it might still be a viable and coveted product for Apple's growing users.