iPad Air 2 release date may be launched sooner than later. More carriers and retailers are slashing the current iPad Air price.

The best indication that a new device is coming very soon is whenever the price of its predecessor is dropped.

Target offers a discount on the recently released iPad Air. The tablet originally costs $499. But current offers shaves off $50 from the tablet's regular price, making it $449 for the 16 GB Wi-Fi variant of iPad Air. The 32 GB variant costs $549 from $599.

iPad Mini with Retina display also reaped the benefits of the Target $50 gift card. iPad mini with Retina Display 16 GB Wi-Fi version is only $349.00, after a free Target gift card.

Meanwhile, T-Mobile, the fourth largest U.S. mobile carrier, has slashed the prices of its 16 GB iPad Air with 4G LTE connectivity by a considerable amount of $130. This offer covers all models, including iPad Air and iPad Mini.

Also, T-Mobile is offering 1.2 GB of free 4G LTE data every month until end of 2014, along with a $10 discount on its different data plans.

"T-Mobile's launching a full-on assault against the restrictions and pain points that keep tablet owners from experiencing life beyond the Wi-Fi zone. The Un-carrier is all about solving pain points, and today we're eliminating every reason to be stuck on an unconnected Wi-Fi-only tablet. There's no longer any need to limit the use of your tablet because you're intimidated by Big Blue, Bad Red or Bumbling Yellow," T-Mobile CEO John Legere said.

KGI Securities Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believed the second-generation iPad Air could come earlier in the year than the previous iPad Air, which was released in October 2013.

The analyst added in his research note to investors that Apple will pack the touchID fingerprint sensor in the upgraded iPad Air and Retina iPad mini that will be released later this year.

Macrumors reported iPad Air 2 features will include the touch ID, A8 processor and improved camera with a resolution of 8 MP.