For a while, it looked like Apple’s iPhone Air 2 was headed for a long delay. Previous reports suggested that the second-generation model had completely disappeared from Apple’s short-term roadmap. While some sources claimed that it would only arrive in 2027.
These reports portrayed the iPhone Air as a difficult experiment, citing poor sales of the first model and Apple’s decision to rethink both the design and timing before committing to a successor model. That uncertainty is now being called into question by a new leak that suggests Apple may be sticking closer to its original plans (via 9to5Mac).
According to a leak from Fixed Focus Digital, the iPhone Air 2 could still be announced at Apple’s usual fall event in September 2026, directly contradicting claims that the phone has been delayed or quietly shelved until spring 2027.
The same leak also supports previous reports that the iPhone 17e has already entered mass production and is on track for a spring launch, which could explain how Apple plans to expand its product lineup next year.
Why Apple’s Air strategy may be evolving again
The renewed push comes despite clear challenges in the ultra-thin phone category. The original iPhone Air reportedly didn’t sell particularly well and was treated internally as a technical exercise, similar to how Apple often tests ideas before larger products like the upcoming foldable iPhone.
The competitors also had problems. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge reportedly saw weak sales, leading to rumors that the Galaxy S26 Edge might be discontinued altogether.
Still, Apple seems more intent on refining the concept than abandoning it. Rumor has it that the iPhone Air 2 will be redesigned by adding a second rear camera and possibly lowering the price while retaining the sleek design.
Should Apple move forward with a 2026 launch, it would signal a belief that thin phones can evolve beyond niche appeal, even as rivals back away from the same idea.
