Flatlined iPhone Air to Be Resurrected With New Design

Since the iPhone Air debuted in September, excitement surrounding Apple's ultra-thin device has been marred by dire warnings of poor sales and manufacturing cuts, but a new report on Tuesday has revived hopes that it may yet have a future in the company's flagship smartphone lineup.

According to The Information, Apple has decided to delay the second-generation iPhone Air that was originally scheduled for fall 2026. In fact, other reports suggest Apple has already begun winding down production of the first-gen model. Luxshare apparently exited manufacturing in October, and Foxconn is on track to follow by the end of December. Meanwhile, both suppliers continue to run dozens of lines for Apple's stronger sellers, including the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max.

The current iPhone Air features just a single-lens camera system, which combined with its smaller battery and $999 price tag – only $100 less than the triple-camera iPhone 17 Pro – appears to have turned off potential buyers. However, according to new details obtained by The Information, Apple is now considering a redesign of the second-generation iPhone Air that would add a second rear camera to address one of the main criticisms leveled at the original model.

A second camera would bring the iPhone Air's specs closer to the standard iPhone 17 (and likely 18), which could potentially make it more appealing to consumers who want the thin and light profile without sacrificing too much functionality. Or at least that's what Apple hopes.

A leak from China last week suggested the second camera could be a 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide lens to complement the existing 48MP main camera, though fitting additional hardware into the ultra-slim 5.6mm chassis would require substantial internal redesign. So much is already packed into the device's camera plateau to make space for battery that it's hard to know where it would go.

But if anyone can do it, Apple can. Some of the company's engineers are reportedly pushing for a spring 2027 launch for the redesigned Air, which would tally with the company's planned split release cycle for the iPhone 18 lineup. That timing would see the redesigned iPhone Air arrive alongside the standard iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e, while the Pro models and a rumored foldable iPhone would launch in fall 2026. Whether Apple commits to the redesign remains to be seen, but in a boost for fans of the device, at least the iPhone Air doesn't seem to be dead just yet – just delayed before its second coming.