Last year, we were a bit surprised that Apple used the monicker 'Air' for its iPad, but it immediately stuck and became a hit. This year, it looks like the iPad mini 3 release date will get the 'Air' treatment as well. 

According to a report by GSM Arena, Chinese media has published that the iPad mini 3 will get an 'Air' in its brand name. The change that brought this? Apparently, the new mini iPad will be 30 percent thinner. 

The current iPad mini Retina is 7.5mm thin, so that means the iPad mini 3 (or iPad mini Air) could be just 5.25mm thin, much thinner than the current title holder for being the thinnest tablet below 10.1 inches - the Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4 at 6.6mm. 

The iPad mini became a hit when it was first launched alongside the original iPad line up two years ago. Then, consumers demanded a Retina-powered mini, and after a year Apple complied. 

However, the emergence of the iPad Air slowed down the potential sales of the iPad mini Retina, as more consumers were intrigued with the Air's thin design and powerful specs. 

Naturally, Apple would want its iPad mini to get the same treatment and so an iPad mini with Retina display and super-thin frame could in fact be in the works. 

Another speculation swirling around the Web is that now that Apple is trying to build the 'Air' branding in its tablets, the 'Pro' monicker could be following suit next year. 

Of course, we cannot guarantee any of details unless Apple announces them itself. We'll see in the coming months.