Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Report: Apple Considers Adding Second Camera to Delayed iPhone Air 2

MacRumors

MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
69,946
41,433


Apple's reported delay of the second-generation iPhone Air will be used to work on a redesign of the device that could include a second rear camera, according to a news brief from The Information.

iphone-air-camera.jpg

A redesign that includes a second camera is said to be one way that Apple thinks it can address user complaints that the iPhone Air, while an impressive design feat, has led to too many hardware compromises, especially given the high price tag.

Apple priced it starting at $999, and that appears to have put off customers, leading to reports of poor sales and manufacturing cuts. The ‌iPhone Air‌ is only $100 cheaper than the $1,099 iPhone 17 Pro, which has a triple-lens rear camera and much better battery life. Adding a second camera to the ultra-slim device would also make it look more feature-equivalent to the standard iPhone 18 and therefore more appealing to consumers.

Citing people with knowledge of the matter, the report claims that some Apple engineers want to release the redesigned version with a second camera in spring 2027, which is when Apple is expected to release the regular iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e, as part of a new split launch cycle. The iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and an all-new foldable iPhone are expected to launch in fall 2026, which was when the iPhone Air 2 was originally expected. The Information reported on the delay earlier this week.

The report seemingly corroborates a leak out of China last week that claimed Apple's second iPhone Air model is in development and could feature two rear cameras instead of one, with a 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide camera joining the existing 48MP Fusion Main camera. Multiple technologies are housed in the plateau of the iPhone Air to maximize space for the battery, so Apple would presumably need to redesign the internals considerably to fit in another camera.

Previous reports have said Apple's work on a second-generation version of the ‌iPhone Air‌ is aimed at reducing the weight, adding vapor chamber cooling, and improving the battery capacity.

Article Link: Report: Apple Considers Adding Second Camera to Delayed iPhone Air 2
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2025/11/11/report-delayed-iphone-air-2-second-camera/
Last edited:
Unless it is a 4x telephoto won’t even look at it. I don’t want or need ultrawide, macro is a stupid reason to include it, better to have actually close focusing main camera. It is high time for Apple to do something to their obsolete lens system that still allows lots of flares, doesn’t focus close and protrudes a lot from all devices
 
  • Like
  • Disagree
  • Haha
Reactions: Rastapopoulos, AeroEd, jm22381 and 15 others
abatabia said:
Just drop the line. It hasn’t worked it’s not going to work. I’ve said that before and I’ll say it again. They’re wasting their time. iPhone and iPhone pro. That’s all that’s needed. No air wind sea sky mini tall mini or whatever else.
Click to expand...
Or like iPads and Macbooks: just Air and Pro, one should be small, slim and pocketable, and another chonky, fat and extra battery (as it is currently), for “pro” users
 
  • Like
Reactions: iPAU and User 6502
The problem is Apple has no idea how to even approach designing a product intended to have a lower price. Gimping the device is fine if you price it accordingly. Price it within spitting distance (with a memory upgrade, for example) of the next model up, which has objectively more features, people will justify going with the higher end model. I said at the time the 16e needed to be at least $100 cheaper. Same applies to this phone.
 
  • Like
  • Disagree
Reactions: citysnaps, Jovijoker, ResolutionNZ and 4 others
maybe go back to Jony Ives school of design and start removing features before adding them
in that particular case, removing 100 bucks from list price might just be it
 
MacRumors said:


Apple's reported delay of the second-generation iPhone Air will be used to work on a redesign of the device that could include a second rear camera, according to The Information.

iphone-air-camera.jpg

The report claims that some Apple engineers want to release the redesigned version with a second camera in spring 2027, which is when Apple is expected to release the regular iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e.

The report corroborates a leak out of China last week that claimed Apple's second iPhone Air model is in development and could feature two rear cameras instead of one.

Article Link: Apple Considers Adding Second Camera to Delayed iPhone Air 2
Click to expand...
Personally, I think the iPhone Air has the potential to be a fantastic phone.

However, it's main caveats render it as terrible value for the £999 price tag.

In my opinion, they should re-engineer it to do the following

1. Give it a second camera, even just matching the two cameras on the standard 17 models.

2. Stereo Speakers, they don't have to sound as full as the 17/17 Pro speakers (because physics) but at least have the phone deliver it's audio over 2-channels. Hardware physically limited to Mono audio shouldn't exist in 2025.

3. If they can utilise additional battery tech (Think high density cells are already in use) then do that too.

4. Drop the price to £899 for base model, that's £100 more than the base 17 and would mean half the price gap between the standard 17 and Air (depending on chosen storage)

I feel a £100 premium on thinness is easier to swallow than £200.



However, failing on being able to do any of this, Apple should discontinue the 16E and replace it with the Air and price match it.

Basically, Apple need to understand you can't get away with charging more for less. Thinness is nice but not worth the limitations overall.
 
  • Like
Reactions: decypher44, drsox, snipr125 and 4 others
“The report claims that some Apple engineers want to release the redesigned version with a second camera in spring 2027, which is when Apple is expected to release the regular iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e, as part of a new split launch cycle.”

A very bad release timing, if true, as considering Apple will be also be releasing the rumoured “all glass” iPhone 20 (XX ?) in the autumn 2027, who will want to buy an updated Air 2 some six months before?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Prince Akeem
johnnyenv said:
Maybe just maybe they should price it correctly
Like £699.. Seeing as it's below the base model (really).
Click to expand...
Exactly. This phone should be priced below regular iPhone 17 (which is way better), because it lacks features.

Price according to features and everything would be fine Apple 😉
 
  • Like
Reactions: MacAttack2024
Honestly for this type of device it should have been a new iPod touch. Call it the iPod nano or iPod air or something. Focus on the music and bring back what made Apple great back then. Sell it for $299 without a SIM card. Great for kids. No need to worry about expensive phone contracts or a $999 device. Can also be a perfect home device to replace a controller for Apple TV. So many possibilities. Maybe have it come with a dock too. Sigh missed opportunity.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Prince Akeem
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back