Apple is not giving up on its ultra-slim iPhone dream, not yet, anyway.
Despite the current iPhone Air landing with a thud in terms of sales, the tech giant appears unwilling to give up on the ultra-slim dream. New reports suggest that Apple is moving full steam ahead with an iPhone Air 2, signaling a stubborn commitment to the form factor regardless of how the market reacts.
The claim comes from a Weibo-based leaker who goes by “Fixed Focus Digital,” a source with an established track record in Apple circles. In a recent post, the leaker stated that Apple plans to see the Air line through, writing: “The Air 2 will proceed with its standard product iteration cycle; no matter how abysmal the sales turn out to be, Apple will grit its teeth and push through with at least two generations…”
The first-generation iPhone Air has been criticized for its compromises, specifically its single rear camera and its battery life, which struggles to keep up with power users. WCCF TECH notes that the current model’s battery is about 11% smaller than that of the base iPhone 17, resulting in a real-world lifespan of only about 12 hours.
To fix this, the iPhone Air 2 is expected to undergo a significant internal overhaul. Phone Arena reports that Apple is looking to squeeze a second camera into the razor-thin body, likely a 48-megapixel Ultra Wide lens. To make this work, engineers are reportedly developing a thinner Face ID module to free up internal real estate.
Other rumored upgrades for the second-gen model include:
- The A20 chip: A move to a 2nm process that could boost performance by 15% while cutting power consumption by 30%.
- Thermal management: The addition of vapor chamber cooling to prevent the slim chassis from overheating.
- Improved battery: While the physical size remains a challenge, Apple is reportedly aiming for higher capacity cells to address the 12-hour limit.
A ghost in the factory?
The decision to continue the line comes at a strange time for Apple’s manufacturing partners.
MacRumors pointed out that production for the current Air has effectively flatlined. According to MacRumors, KeyBanc Capital Markets recently found “virtually no demand” for the device, and major suppliers such as Luxshare and Foxconn reportedly halted or phased out production late last year.
However, Apple’s long-term play might involve a shift in how it releases these phones. Industry insiders suggest Apple may break its traditional September tradition. The Pro models and a new foldable iPhone could launch in Fall 2026, while the standard iPhone 18 and the iPhone Air 2 might be held back for a Spring 2027 debut to maximize revenue.
What to expect on the price tag
While the design is expected to remain incredibly thin, potentially staying around the 5.6 mm mark, the price remains a point of contention. Phone Arena suggests Apple might try to keep the starting price at $999 for 256GB of storage. However, rising costs for AI-capable memory chips could force a price hike across the entire iPhone 18 family.
Also read: Apple is warning iPhone users about a new scam targeting millions, in which fraudsters exploit panic and fake support calls to steal money.
