For a while, it looked like Apple’s iPhone Air 2 was headed for a long delay. Earlier reports suggested the second-generation model had fallen off Apple’s near-term roadmap entirely. Whereas some sources claimed it would not arrive until 2027.
Those reports painted the iPhone Air as a struggling experiment, citing poor sales of the first model and Apple’s decision to rethink both the design and the timing before committing to a follow up. That uncertainty is now being challenged by a fresh leak that suggests Apple may be sticking closer to its original plans (via 9to5Mac).
According to leak by 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 had been pushed to spring 2027 or quietly shelved.
The same leak also backs up earlier 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 space out its 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. Reports suggest the original iPhone Air did not sell particularly well and was treated internally as a technical exercise, similar to how Apple often tests ideas ahead of bigger products like its upcoming foldable iPhone.
Competitors have struggled too. Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge reportedly saw weak sales, fueling rumors that the Galaxy S26 Edge could be cancelled altogether.
Still, Apple appears intent on refining rather than abandoning the concept. The iPhone Air 2 is rumored to get redesigned by adding a second rear camera and potentially lowering its price, while keeping the slim design intact.
If Apple does move forward with a 2026 launch, it would signal a belief that thin phones can evolve beyond niche appeal, even as rivals pull back from the same idea.