The iPhone Air sold poorly – but Apple is sticking to its successor. According to leaker Fixed Focus Digital, the iPhone Air 2 will definitely be released, regardless of sales figures.
The iPhone Air is among the most disappointing Apple products in recent memory. Since its launch in September 2025, several analysts have reported extremely weak demand, and production has apparently already been drastically reduced. Nevertheless, Apple is still planning for the product line: According to Weibo-based leaker Fixed Focus Digital, the iPhone Air 2 will be released as planned – regardless of how poorly the first model sold.
The history of the iPhone Air is reminiscent of previous Apple experiments that failed to gain market traction. The iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 14 Plus, and iPhone 15 Plus all experienced similarly weak demand and were discontinued after only two generations. The fact that Apple apparently intends to follow the same path with the iPhone Air—at least two generations, regardless of market success—suggests that the company considers the Air line strategically important.
How badly it really went
Sales figures for the iPhone Air were disastrous. An investor survey by KeyBanc Capital Markets revealed virtually no demand after its launch. Supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that suppliers reduced capacity by over 80 percent between launch and the first quarter of 2026. Contract manufacturer Luxshare halted production as early as October, and Foxconn reportedly followed suit by the end of December 2025. The iPhone Air was thus effectively out of production before the first generation had even been on the market for six months.
What will change with the iPhone Air 2
Apple has apparently taken the criticism seriously. According to several reports, Apple is working on significant improvements for the iPhone Air 2. The most important change: a second rear camera. The single camera was one of the most criticized aspects of the first model – a 48-megapixel Fusion Ultra Wide lens is expected to be added as the second camera.
Furthermore, the iPhone Air 2 is expected to be lighter, feature a vapor chamber cooler, offer a larger battery, and utilize a thinner Face ID module. Under the hood, the A20 Pro chip is anticipated. These improvements suggest that Apple is not abandoning the Air concept but rather specifically addressing the weaknesses of the first generation.
Whether the iPhone Air 2 will be released in fall 2026 alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and the iPhone Fold, or not until 2027, is now largely settled. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports that Apple plans to unveil the iPhone Air 2 alongside the regular iPhone 18 and the iPhone 18e in spring 2027 – likely in March or April. This clearly establishes a split-launch strategy.
The iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and iPhone Ultra (Fold) are expected to be released in September 2026. The iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, and iPhone Air 2 will follow in March 2027. It is still unclear whether there will be a separate event with a livestream for the spring launch.
The iPhone 18e and the regular iPhone 18 are expected to receive an A20 chip, but otherwise offer only minimal changes. The iPhone Air 2, on the other hand, is rumored to feature an A20 chip, a second rear camera, a larger battery, and the vapor chamber cooling system from the iPhone 17 Pro.
Remarkably, according to Weibo leaker Fixed Focus Digital, Apple is even planning an iPhone Air 3 – despite the weak sales figures of the first model.
Apple's Strategy behind the Air
Apple's continued support for the iPhone Air, despite weak sales figures, is driven by strategic reasons. The Air line positions Apple in the ultra-thin smartphone segment and demonstrates design expertise – much like the MacBook Air does in the laptop market. The first MacBook Air wasn't an immediate sales success upon its 2008 launch either, but ultimately became Apple's most popular notebook.
Whether the iPhone Air can follow a similar trajectory depends on whether Apple delivers the right improvements with the second generation. A combination of a better camera, a longer battery life, and a more competitive price could make all the difference. (Image: ifeelstock / DepositPhotos.com)
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