Apple Inc. is confirmed to launch a second-generation iPhone Air in spring 2027, according to latest reports from Bloomberg News. The device, currently in advanced testing and code-named V62, will feature three major upgrades that address the most significant customer complaints about the current model. The updated model will be powered by a version of the A20 Pro processor, the same chip coming to fall's iPhones, as reported by Bloomberg News. The Air, first released in September 2025, is part of a push to expand Apple's $210 billion iPhone business with new designs. The company is shaking up its release schedule this year, with the fall lineup consisting solely of higher-end models including the iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, and new foldable version, while the updated Air will be introduced around six months later. As per Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the phone is expected to launch in the spring of 2027, probably alongside the vanilla iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e.
The iPhone Air 2 will add an ultra-wide camera alongside the existing 1x camera, marking a significant upgrade from the current single 48MP rear camera on the existing iPhone Air. As reported by Bloomberg News, the device will retain the same design as the current model while incorporating these key improvements. The single-camera system on the existing iPhone Air has been the most common customer complaint about the device, according to people with knowledge of the matter cited by Bloomberg. If Apple releases the iPhone Air 2 in spring 2027, it would launch alongside the base model iPhone 18. The current prototypes of the new model are in advanced testing within Apple, with people familiar with the matter confirming the dual camera system. The limited abilities of the current single-lens camera have drawn the most customer complaints, making this upgrade particularly significant for the device's appeal. Users on Reddit who didn't get an iPhone Air cite the single camera, subpar speakers, and battery as the reason not to, though practically everyone who has bought it appears very pleased with their decision, with impressions ranging from "best iPhone I have ever owned" to "my favorite iPhone of all time."
Apple is working to improve the battery life of the second-generation Air, though specific implementation details remain unclear. As reported by Bloomberg News, the company is considering whether improvements will come from a larger battery, which may be impractical in the Air's compact chassis, or efficiency gains. The existing $999 model features one of the thinnest designs in the smartphone industry, but this slim profile creates trade-offs in accommodating advanced technology found in Apple's Pro models. The Air, currently priced at $744 on Amazon, does offer some of the iPhone 17 Pro's features, such as the Apple A19 Pro ARM processor, but is actually inferior to the more affordable iPhone 17 in battery life and camera capabilities. The iPhone Air 2 is reportedly getting an upgrade to a variant of the Apple A20 Pro, the same ARM chip that is also expected to be used in the iPhone 18 Pro (Max) and the iPhone Ultra. It is still unclear whether the battery life improvements will be the result of using a larger battery or efficiency gains, with the latter appearing more likely as the device is expected to stick to the same design used for the original iPhone Air.
The spring 2027 launch would mean approximately one and a half years between the first and second generations, according to Bloomberg News. Apple is implementing a staggered release approach this year, with the fall lineup consisting solely of premium models including the iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, and new foldable version. The second-generation iPhone Air is not expected to be unveiled alongside the iPhone 18 Pro in September, but rather in the spring of 2027, around the same time as the base model iPhone 18, just under a year and a half after the launch of the first-generation iPhone Air. This strategy allows Apple to spread revenue more evenly across the calendar and better compete with rivals like Samsung Electronics Co., which introduces major new smartphones at multiple points throughout the year. The company plans to introduce its first foldable smartphone later this year and is developing a 20th anniversary iPhone for 2027 featuring a curved screen that wraps around the device's edges.
The Air serves a portable, eye-catching design market segment that doesn't require Pro model capabilities, as noted by incoming Chief Executive Officer John Ternus. According to Bloomberg News, Apple sees the camera system and battery life as two of the biggest opportunities for improving the Air, with the limited abilities of the current single-lens camera drawing the most customer complaints. The company's previous efforts with mini and Plus models haven't been major sellers, though the Air is performing better than those predecessors and hasn't yet emerged as one of the highest-volume iPhones. That's one reason the company can take a bit longer to roll out a second-generation version. Considering the reportedly abysmal sales of the iPhone Air, it's surprising that Apple is investing in a sequel, but even the Galaxy S25 Edge didn't seem capable of competing with it, and the rest of the industry abandoned its own ideas for ultra thin phones. That could open up an opportunity for bigger success for the iPhone Air 2, especially with the rumored upgrades. However, as much as the idea of the iPhone Air 2 is tempting, it's unlikely to sell much better mostly because of the price - the original was already pushing the limits with its $999 price tag, and it's hard to imagine the sort of upgrade that would excuse an even pricier device.
