A second act, six months late.
Apple is preparing a second-generation iPhone Air that could arrive in spring 2027, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.
The device is reportedly in advanced testing and is expected to keep the same ultra-thin design while addressing two of the biggest criticisms of the current model: its camera system and battery life.
The new device is said to carry the internal codename V62 and could add a second rear camera for ultrawide photography. That would mark a notable change for the Air lineup, which currently relies on a single rear lens.
Bloomberg reported that the extra camera is among the major upgrades Apple is considering as it looks to make the slim handset more appealing to buyers.
Camera complaints appear to be driving the changes
The first iPhone Air debuted in September 2025 with a thin design that helped it stand out from the rest of Apple’s smartphone lineup. But the trade-off for that slimmer chassis was a simpler camera setup.
According to Bloomberg, Apple views the camera system as one of the biggest areas for improvement. The report says the limited capabilities of the current single-lens setup have generated the most customer complaints. The extra camera is expected to be an Ultra Wide lens that would sit alongside the existing Wide camera.
That would bring the Air closer to Apple’s standard iPhone models, which already offer dual-camera systems. The new model is otherwise expected to look much like the current version.
Battery life could improve too
Apple is also exploring ways to improve battery life, according to Bloomberg. Exactly how the company plans to achieve that remains unclear. One option is a larger battery, though fitting a bigger cell inside the Air’s compact frame could prove difficult.
Another possibility is improved power efficiency. Bloomberg reports that the updated Air will use a version of the A20 Pro processor, the same chip expected to power this fall’s iPhone lineup, which may help extend battery life without requiring a larger battery.
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Apple is changing its iPhone release strategy
The second-generation Air is also part of a major shift in Apple’s release schedule.
Bloomberg reports that Apple plans to separate launches of its premium and mainstream iPhones. Under the new approach, higher-end models, including the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the company’s first foldable iPhone, would debut in the fall.
The standard iPhone 18 and the refreshed iPhone Air would then follow around six months later, likely in spring 2027. That staggered schedule would spread major launches across the year rather than concentrating them in September, which has traditionally been Apple’s biggest iPhone event.
Bloomberg notes that Apple believes the strategy could help smooth revenue throughout the year while giving it more opportunities to compete with rivals that release flagship devices at multiple points in the year.
Also read: Apple’s Siri AI upgrade could bring smarter app actions and personal context, but only newer devices will support the features at launch.