The ultra-light iPhone might become a permanent fixture in Apple’s smartphone lineup. Apple appears to be working on a follow-up to the iPhone Air, the ultra-thin smartphone launched last fall. According to Mark Gurman at Bloomberg, plans are in motion for the company to launch a second version of the device in spring 2027.
Sources indicate the new model could add a second rear camera, improved battery life, and a version of the A20 Pro processor.
Apple rarely provides specifics about sales figures for individual devices, but the impression has been that the iPhone Air was not a major mover among consumers. The device has largely been seen as a precursor to Apple’s eventual foldable smartphone, and many who follow the company closely didn’t expect it to have much staying power. This rumor suggests Apple has higher aspirations for the ultra-thin form factor as a more permanent part of its iPhone lineup.
We found the single rear camera to be a drawback in our review of the iPhone Air, so alleviating some of the trade-offs necessary for such a slim chassis could increase the device’s appeal.
The idea of a spring release for an iPhone Air 2 reflects how Apple has been rethinking its product calendar. Previously, all of its smartphone announcements came in the fall. In the past year, however, the company focused on its pricier devices in September and pushed the announcement of its budget iPhone 17e to the spring. Since many of Apple’s attempts at smaller smartphones have been discontinued (iPhone mini and iPhone SE, we barely knew ye), perhaps the new approach is to try offering compactness from a different angle.
