Personally, only if they add a good telephoto. Ultrawide isn't useful enough for me.
Or if they added DisplayPort.
Either a decent telephoto or DisplayPort and I would upgrade. But also not if it gets noticeably thicker or heavier.
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iPhone Air 2 Expected to Launch Early Next Year With Five New Features
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Or if they added DisplayPort.
Either a decent telephoto or DisplayPort and I would upgrade. But also not if it gets noticeably thicker or heavier.
This update would work nicely for me. No rumors on battery life which is interesting, or did I miss something? The new 18 Pros are looking to be bigger, heavier and somewhat more expensive. Exactly the wrong direction for me when wanting a device I carry around with me all the time. I currently have a 17 Pro Max and that is an ugly 'lump' that is just on the edge for portability.
I like to use the iPhone for video and the wide angle lens is ideal for this purpose. Happy to use x2 digital zoom on the main camera, but if I am really serious about taking photographs I take a dedicated camera with me.
I like to use the iPhone for video and the wide angle lens is ideal for this purpose. Happy to use x2 digital zoom on the main camera, but if I am really serious about taking photographs I take a dedicated camera with me.
That70sGAdawg
macrumors 6502a
Not interested unless it has a second or larger speaker . Current volume level is unacceptable, my iPhone 13 mini is louder!
you are correct.
apple uses the branding of Air (on iPad and MacBook) to be the phone and mac that almost all reviewers say very clearly time and time again that "most" people should buy (probably simply meaning that Pro is not needed and the Air version is powerful enough at reasonable price).
apple used iPhone Air (first gen) to launch the Air concept on the iPhone. it points very clearly to the future of an established line of iPhones that will have great features, but not Pro level features. yes. it will cost a lot. but probably the iPhone Pro models prices will be increased enough next time to create an even bigger gap with the iPhone Air 2 price.
most users don't need Pro level features.
most users don't want to pay a Pro level price.
iPhone will get better cameras. get better speakers. but stay light and thin. battery life will be slightly better (meaning by the way, that it does meet the needs of almost everyone).
the Pro iPhones will get heavier. more gnarly in shape. and ultra good battery life. and you will be paying much more for them, which will drive people to the Air.
but. the RAM Apocalypse happened. apple still needs to overcome the marketing awkwardness of a base level iPhone and Air pricing too close to each other. in order to overcome this, apple will employ strategy similar to its iPad vs iPad Air, and, Mac Neo and MacBook Air playbooks.
you can expect the base level iPhone (iPhone 18) to be even closer to the equivalent of what an iPhone 18e might look like. an "e" level iPhone looks more and more to be phased out, certainly by 2028/29.
the Mac Neo fulfills basic level needs. iPhone 18 will have pretty colors and only 9GB RAM.
the Air is the future mass targeted device.
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Salty Pirate
macrumors 6502a
3500 mah battery. That’s about the same capacity as the 16 Pro, but the Air will have a more efficient screen, chipset, modem, etc.
If Apple should figure out a way to make this cheaper without any compromises, this will be an excellent base phone.
Also just for fun the 13 mini is 141 grams. The upcoming Air packs a lot of stuff for how little it weighs and Apple really should advertise that. I doubt the next Air will deviate too much from the 165 grams that the current Air weighs in at.
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19callum93
macrumors 6502a
I ABSOLUTELY love my iPhone Air. But I am torn between the foldable or Air 2 😭
Pez555
macrumors 68020
Stereo speakers and it’s an instant buy for me. Better battery and extra camera were two of my three wishes….
Hate the ultra-wide camera, as zoom is so much more useful. Why not a 2x or 4x cam a la iPhone 7?
Heck - honestly the iP7 is the same thickness as the air. Give me an iPhone 7 reboot with new process, NO wireless charging if that I what it takes, and a zoom.
Heck - honestly the iP7 is the same thickness as the air. Give me an iPhone 7 reboot with new process, NO wireless charging if that I what it takes, and a zoom.
The appeal is the weight. That said, the “e” iPhones are the same weight.
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topmounter
macrumors 68030
joshwithachance
macrumors 68030
Unfortunately it’ll probably come with a 20-30% price increase attached to it. Especially being 6+ months down the line…
If you’re even remotely considering the Air you may as well just get the current model, which is only just over halfway through its life cycle, while it’s still the only iPhone available under $1K with full Siri AI support (due to having 12GB RAM).
If you’re even remotely considering the Air you may as well just get the current model, which is only just over halfway through its life cycle, while it’s still the only iPhone available under $1K with full Siri AI support (due to having 12GB RAM).
Air products have always been about focusing on the essentials. It started with the MacBook Air and has continued all the way to today's iPhone Air.
From the very beginning, the MacBook Air had fewer ports and no CD-ROM drive compared to the MacBook Pro.
So I don't understand why the Air is getting so much criticism. If you want better battery life, better speakers, or a better camera, you can simply choose the Pro model.
The iPhone Air is designed around the essentials. The only thing I'd really like to see is a Mini version. After all, the MacBook Air is also available in two sizes.
From the very beginning, the MacBook Air had fewer ports and no CD-ROM drive compared to the MacBook Pro.
So I don't understand why the Air is getting so much criticism. If you want better battery life, better speakers, or a better camera, you can simply choose the Pro model.
The iPhone Air is designed around the essentials. The only thing I'd really like to see is a Mini version. After all, the MacBook Air is also available in two sizes.
Apple plans to release a second-generation iPhone Air in the first quarter of 2027, according to Jeff Pu, an investment analyst who covers Apple.
In a research note with GF Securities today, Pu said the iPhone Air 2 will have the following five new features compared to the current model:
He expects the next iPhone Air to stick with a 6.5-inch display, 12GB of RAM, and an 18-megapixel Center Stage front camera.
- The addition of a second 48-megapixel rear camera — an Ultra Wide lens to complement the existing Fusion lens.
- A slightly smaller Dynamic Island.
- A faster and more power-efficient A20 Pro chip manufactured with TSMC's advanced 2nm process. The current iPhone Air has a 3nm A19 Pro chip.
- Apple's second-generation N2 chip for wireless networking. In the existing iPhone Air, the N1 chip is an Apple-designed wireless networking chip that enables Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. The chip also improves the overall performance and reliability of features like AirDrop and Personal Hotspot.
- Apple's second-generation C2 chip for 5G. Apple says the current C1X chip is already the most power-efficient modem in an iPhone ever.
Apple reportedly plans to release the iPhone Air 2 alongside the regular iPhone 18 and a lower-end iPhone 18e around March 2027. The higher-end iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and foldable "iPhone Ultra" are expected to launch this September, with the devices in the lineup rolling out at different times as part of a new strategy.
Article Link: iPhone Air 2 Expected to Launch Early Next Year With Five New Features
I've owned pretty much every generation iphone since launch day in 2007.
The air is one of the best, if not the best iphone I've ever. (toss up with iphone x)
Cameras are not as good, which is sometimes a slight bummer, but the screen and size/weight are such a joy that it far outweighs (pun intended) the once or twice a month a have to physically move my body to get the picture I want. And I take a lot of pictures.
When I hold an iphone 17 pro I practically laugh out loud at what a brick it. It's the weight of a 1990's Palm Pilot and has a noticeably smaller screen than the air!
One speaker is no big deal, it's loud and sounds good and if I want stereo, airpods are 100x better than any 2 speaker iphone.
It's also the only phone I've owned in years where people regularly ask, what phone is that...? and then universally ooo and aww when they hold it. (I don't use a case - it's insanely durable)
That being said, the Air 2 doesn't sound like much of an upgrade... especially for a device many people claim they would never buy. I love the air and I don't think I'll upgrade if the changes above are all that's new...
My 2 cents.
Possibly my next iPhone. So sick of my heavy iPhone 16 Pro Max. Happy to give up the pro features for the convenience.
I LOVED holding the iPhone Air, it felt like something really innovative from Apple for the first time since maybe the iPhone X. It felt premium, the reduced weight was so nice.
But the battery life, camera quality and single speaker were all deal breakers for me. Ended up getting a 17 Pro.
Probably won't be until the 3rd gen, but if they can make the camera quality comparable with the regular non-Pro iPhone, increase the battery capacity by around 30% and incorporate dual speakers/stereo then I'd buy one in a heartbeat.
But the battery life, camera quality and single speaker were all deal breakers for me. Ended up getting a 17 Pro.
Probably won't be until the 3rd gen, but if they can make the camera quality comparable with the regular non-Pro iPhone, increase the battery capacity by around 30% and incorporate dual speakers/stereo then I'd buy one in a heartbeat.
I’ve done Pros since they started, but I might hold out and try the Air2. If they sold it alongside the main iPhone release in Sept it would probably sell a lot better.
Why is there no Air 2 roundup/rumors tab on here btw? It’s just the original Air.
Sounds like you don't really want the Air. You want the Pro and that's fine. Everything you listed adds weight and bulk.
Ted_Appleseed
macrumors regular
By early 2027, we will see the most abundant (or complicated?) iPhone lineup ever:
- iPhone 18 Pro & Pro Max (2026)
- iPhone Ultra (2026)
- iPhone 18 (2027)
- iPhone 18e (2027)
- iPhone Air 2 (2027)
I found the air uncomfortable to grip since it's so wide and thin when trying at the apple store. Regular 17 felt better in hand