Rumours of the iPhone Air 2’s death were apparently greatly exaggerated

Just last month, we were hearing that Apple had pushed the iPhone Air 2 all the way back to spring 2027 after the original model apparently didn’t exactly fly off shelves. But now a fresh rumour is suggesting that Apple’s next skinny phone might actually show up next year after all.

The tip comes from Fixed Focus Digital over on Weibo, and they’re claiming the iPhone Air 2 is confirmed for a September 2026 debut alongside whatever else Apple has cooking for that event. That would put it right back on track with earlier expectations, which had pegged it for a launch next to the next big iPhone lineup, and possibly even the long-rumoured foldable.

Back on the original schedule

For those who missed the original drama… a report back in November claimed that Apple had delayed the Air 2 because of less than expected sales for the first iPhone Air. That report suggested Apple’s manufacturer Foxconn was set to stop production on the original by the end of November.

The report tracks. After all, Apple has been trying to figure out what to do with that fourth iPhone slot for years now. The mini models didn’t work out. The Plus phones didn’t really catch on either. That’s where the Air came in.

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That said, the Air 2 is supposedly getting some meaningful upgrades that could change things. It will reportedly pack a dual camera setup on the back, which is something that really should have been there from the start. There’s also talk of a larger battery, vapour chamber cooling, and potentially a lower price. 

The same tipster also claims the iPhone 17e is on track for a spring launch and has already entered mass production, so at least that part seems to be moving along smoothly.