The first-generation iPhone Air opened up a new market segment – ultra-thin smartphones – but didn’t perform as well as the company expected. Now that the segment has a few players, it is even more important for the Cupertino giant to maintain its lead, especially as a pioneer.
To achieve this, the company plans to upgrade the iPhone Air 2 with a second camera, something we’ve known for a while. However, a new leak from Chinese tipster Instant Digital now claims that the slim next-generation iPhone could also get a slimmer Face ID module.
A slimmer Face ID could mean a smaller Dynamic Island
“Apple engages a supplier to customize an ultra-thin Face ID component,” the Weibo post reads (translated from simplified Chinese). The slim Face ID component could either refer to a specific part of the module or to the entire module.
This could result in a visibly smaller Face ID cutout on the iPhone Air 2’s screen and therefore a smaller Dynamic Island, similar to the iPhone 18 Pro models. At the same time, the smaller component could help free up some space in the body of the slim iPhone.
The freed-up space, along with other technical optimizations, should make room for the secondary ultrawide camera on the back of the iPhone Air 2 in the horizontal plateau.
The launch schedule for the iPhone Air 2 remains unclear
Even more interesting is the tipster’s claim that the slimmer Face ID module is making its way into an upcoming MacBook Pro. However, I take this information with a grain of salt as there are no other industry sources that have claimed that Face ID will be included in a future MacBook model.
If all goes well, Apple could launch the iPhone Air 2 in September 2026, along with the iPhone 18 Pro and Apple’s first foldable iPhone. However, some rumors also suggest that the smartphone could hit the market in spring next year, around March 2027.
