2026 iPhone Air Could Feature Two Rear Cameras, Says Leaker

[Lounge vibes 05]

I just don’t see this happening. When a product like this doesn’t sell, Apple keeps it around for another year, might make a minor design tweak to stay in the design language of the year, and then discontinues it. Look at the iPhone mini and iPhone Plus. I’ll get an Air next year as it will likely be the last one, and I’m assuming it will still have 1 camera

Just look at the name.
The iPhone Mini was discontinued just like the iPod Mini was.
Meanwhile the MacBook Air has stuck around for 17 years (despite not being exactly a day one success) and the iPad air being around for 12 years.
I think the iPhone Air is here to stay in some form

 

[Warped9]

I’m glad they’re not quitting on the Air. It’s a good idea for a particular consumer who aren’t obsessed with specs most will never think about. If I were upgrading now I would seriously look at the Air as well as consider the base 17 and 16e or next year’s 17e.

That said they really should be marketing it better particularly given those who have them really seem to like them. I got to see and hold one in person a week or so ago when a customer came into the store with it and he let me see it. It really has a premium feel to it and I was quite intrigued.

 

[turbineseaplane]

That said they really should be marketing it better particularly given those who have them really seem to like them.

People keep saying this .. and they said it about the Mini as well (I'm a Mini evangelist).

I don't think lack of marketing is the issue here.

People have obviously gone into stores (physical or online), done the side by side comparisons, and are choosing other models based upon value proposition and the involved tradeoffs of each model.

The iPhone 17 is just a way better package for the price ($200 less!).

The Air probably needs to be the same price as the base 17 and then you are choosing which tradeoffs/benefits and the price is immaterial.

A 20% price difference is a lot.

 

[Spinarelo]

Fun fact .. the Mini screen is nearly same size as the iPhone 6/7/8 Plus devices (5.4" vs 5.5")

It's really not a "tiny little screen" (at all)

The iPhone 6/7/8 are 9+ years old at this point... Things have changed dramatically in the mobile tech world since then.

 

[MacLoveMacHate]

Unless it's an optical zoom, I don't think consumers will be clamoring for an ultrawide lens

 

[turbineseaplane]

The iPhone 6/7/8 are 9+ years old at this point... Things have changed dramatically in the mobile tech world since then.

How have they changed?

My hands haven't changed size and I get all of my iPhone business done just fine on both 5.4" and 4" screens.

Would it honestly be that bad for them to still offer an iPhone Mini that's updated every few years?
That's all the ask is here.

I recognize many folks are using their iPhones WAY more than I am and want a huge screen.

Does that have to be the only size phones they make forever now?

 

[MacLoveMacHate]

I hardly ever use the ultra wide. More of a zoom guy myself.

I gotta assume that 99% of consumers would prefer more zoom. I also assume this is part of the upsell of the Pro

 

[turbineseaplane]

I gotta assume that 99% of consumers would prefer more zoom. I also assume this is part of the upsell of the Pro

Anytime we use the word "assume" and "99% of consumers" together, we are almost certainly making an error.

 

[Spinarelo]

How have they changed?

My hands haven't changed size and I get all of my iPhone business done just fine on both 5.4" and 4" screens.

Would it honestly be that bad for them to still offer an iPhone Mini that's updated every few years?
That's all the ask is here.

I recognize many folks are using their iPhones WAY more than I am and want a huge screen.

Does that have to be the only size phones they make forever now?

Unfortunately for you, you are now in the very very tiny minority of people. The mini sold so terribly that it's not even worth it for Apple to make it at all....even every couple of years. They're not going to lose money making something that doesn't sell just to appease a few vocal customers. Unfortunately that's the facts and it's not going to change no matter how much you guys clamore for it.... Not sure why that's so hard to understand

 

[WarmWinterHat]

I gotta assume that 99% of consumers would prefer more zoom. I also assume this is part of the upsell of the Pro

If that was the case then no one would buy the standard iPhone, and I see them all the time.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Unfortunately for you, you are now in the very very tiny minority of people. The mini sold so terribly that it's not even worth it for Apple to make it at all....even every couple of years. They're not going to lose money making something that doesn't sell just to appease a few vocal customers. Unfortunately that's the facts and it's not going to change no matter how much you guys clamore for it.... Not sure why that's so hard to understand

We have no evidence that I'm aware of that they lost money making them.

Please share a source on that claim.

I'm happy to be corrected if I'm wrong.

 

[iDave]

I hardly ever use the ultra wide. More of a zoom guy myself.

Me too.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Me too.

I haven't used the telephoto lens more than a dozen times in the year I've owned my 16 Pro, but then I don't really use my iPhone cameras much.

 

[Spinarelo]

We have no evidence that I'm aware of that they lost money making them.

Please share a source on that claim.

I'm happy to be corrected if I'm wrong.

There are tons of articles and reports documenting this. I know you guys are in denial

Here is just one example but Google it unless the truth is just too hard for you to accept

Just 3% of U.S. iPhone Sales in March Quarter Were iPhone 13 Mini Models

The 5.4-inch iPhone 13 mini continues to be unpopular with customers, according to U.S. iPhone sales data for the March quarter that was shared by...

www.macrumors.com

 

[iDave]

I haven't used the telephoto lens more than a dozen times in the year I've owned my 16 Pro.

Every photographer shoots different stuff.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Every photographer shoots different stuff.

Sure, but I have DSLR that I use more than anything.

I'm not a photographer, just a hobbyist.

 

[iDave]

Sure, but I have DSLR that I use more than anything.

I'm not a photographer, just a hobbyist.

If you take pictures, you’re a photographer.

 

[nepalisherpa]

Companies don't plan major products within few months. If there is Air II then it's already been in their plans for a while.

I would love to see optical zoom lens rather than eye-sore two or three lens setup. The design would just need one sensor, however, the lens will protrude out a little bit more.

 

[turbineseaplane]

There are tons of articles and reports documenting this. I know you guys are in denial

Here is just one example but Google it unless the truth is just too hard for you to accept

Just 3% of U.S. iPhone Sales in March Quarter Were iPhone 13 Mini Models

The 5.4-inch iPhone 13 mini continues to be unpopular with customers, according to U.S. iPhone sales data for the March quarter that was shared by...

www.macrumors.com

Having "the smallest share of sales" ≠ "losing money on them", which is the claim you made.

Do you have a source for that claim?

It's my understanding that it's a forum rule that a claim like that should please be backed up when asked about, or the claim should be softened or retracted.

 

[abreyu]

great move, after 1 month they confirm that iphone 1 air is note the phone to buy...

 

[robertosh]

They should discontinue it already and bring back the iPhone mini. People don’t care about a thin phone, they’d rather have a small one.

I don't think they will do that, but having an "Air mini", using form factor of the 17 and thinnest of Air will make a really manageable device. I checked last week the Air in person for the first time and I was expected more "wow" effect to be honest. The device is too big that hides a bit the thin effect. Also iOS 26 did not help, the unit was annoying to use, don't ask me why.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I checked last week the Air in person for the first time and I was expected more "wow" effect to be honest. The device is too big that hides a bit the thin effect.

This is a consistent report I keep reading (just a bit too big overall, despite the thinness)

I still haven't seen one in person unfortunately.
Hopefully over Thanksgiving I can get hands on with one.

 

[joshwithachance]

I'd personally MUCH prefer a telephoto lens. Especially since the front camera is effectively a wide-angle (20mm) already...

 

[Unbiasedhippo]

The armchair design team at MacRumors is really fun to watch. Apple “just” needs to “add” X,Y,Z and then “I’ll buy it.” Or, “Just cancel the air, it’s stupid.” Like Apple is gonna read your comment and suddenly drop years of planning.

 

[ikramerica]

Finally held one in the store.

Meh

Feels the same weight as a 17 with a slightly bigger screen. The thinness isn’t very noticeable other that feeling “sharper” in your hand.

Honestly this was a bad response to lackluster Plus sales.

Had they worked to make the plus lighter (with same battery as regular and other tweaks) they could market it as the “XL: bigger screen but same weight!”