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iPhone Air 2 and iPhone 18e Reportedly Launching Early Next Year

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Apple plans to release an updated iPhone Air and a lower-end iPhone 18e early next year, according to the latest word from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

iphone-air-all-colors.jpg

In a report this week, he said Apple plans to unveil the two devices in spring 2027, alongside a standard iPhone 18. If so, Apple will likely announce the trio of devices in March or April next year. It is unclear if there will be a live-streamed event.

Given the iPhone 16e and the iPhone 17e were unveiled in the first quarter of 2025 and 2026, respectively, it is no surprise that an iPhone 18e will follow around the first quarter of next year. However, it is notable that a new iPhone Air and the standard iPhone 18 will apparently be introduced at the same time.

The current iPhone Air and the standard iPhone 17 debuted in September last year, but several reports have indicated that Apple is moving to more of a split launch going forward, with multiple iPhone models arriving in spring and fall.

Here is when each new iPhone model is expected to launch:
  • September 2026: iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and "iPhone Ultra"
  • March 2027: iPhone 18e, iPhone 18, and iPhone Air 2
Apple's plans for a split launch have been reported on for many months, so this is nothing new. However, there have been conflicting reports about exactly when the iPhone Air 2 will be released, so Gurman's spring 2027 timeframe provides clarity.

The iPhone 18e and the iPhone 18 will likely receive an A20 chip and little else, while the next iPhone Air is rumored to feature an A20 chip, a second rear camera, a larger battery, and the iPhone 17 Pro's vapor chamber cooling system.

According to a leaker on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, Apple even plans to release an iPhone Air 3 eventually, even though sales of the current iPhone Air have reportedly been low relative to the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro.

Article Link: iPhone Air 2 and iPhone 18e Reportedly Launching Early Next Year
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/08/iphone-air-2-and-iphone-18e-early-next-year/
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Reactions: marte91 and Z-4195
It'll be even worse for the Air 2. When the Air launched last year, it was able to siphon some new iPhone sales momentum from the 17 Pro/Max. Hardly anyone will be willing to wait 6 months after 18 Pro/Max/Ultra to fork out $999 for Air 2. People willing to wait 6 months are pragmatic, wait and see customers. They're not the type to buy Air 2.
 
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Reactions: marte91, Jumpthesnark, Mr. Nice and 9 others
As an air customer, i would wait for next year and not for this fall since it would be way to soon to change the phone
Apple is doing the right thing not to release the Air 2 so soon, i even dont bother if they release the Air2 in September next year to have a full 2 years
This September Apple wants your eyes on the fold, and later on on the new Macbook Pro, all on the new "2nm" TSMC architecture
 
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Reactions: macbookj0e, Lost Rider, Nibo10 and 7 others
I would split the lineup differently.

Keep a big iPhone pro for the battery life people and make the normal iPhone pro closer to the Air, thin and light.

The current pro models are quite chunky. They need to go on a diet.

The Air has been a revelation. I was skeptical of the air at first, mainly the battery life.

But that never panned out as being an issue. I charge anytime I am able. It’s fine.

The camera is very limiting compared to the Pro models, in fact it pisses me off. It’s the only real issue with the Air.

The single speaker is disappointing, but hardly a show stopper.

The Air’s screen is awesome. The thinness and lightness is awesome.
 
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18 months after the iPhone Air could work to my advantage. I'm not normally an annual upgrader so waiting 18-24 months is perfectly fine. I don't use all of the power on the A19Pro chip on the current Air anyway. I probably won't come close to using the power of a A20Pro on an Air 2. If the Air 2 is a bad seller I should see some discounts towards Christmas 2027. Or if the folding phone or 20th anniversary phones prove attractive, I can just wait for those. I'm not inclined to get an even chunkier Pro phone when it's released.
 
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My wife loves her iPhone Air. If you can give her a second camera lens and even just like a 10% increase in battery life, she would be stoked. Instant upgrade.
WhyLifeIs4 said:
we are not buying the 18e
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LOL my mom, age 70, has a 16e and loves it. Everyone complained about no magsafe, but she has a case w/ magsafe, and she doesn't notice the charging speed difference. I think she will be a GREAT candidate to upgrade to the iPhone 18e when it comes out!
 
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