·  ·  · 

iPhone Air 2 tipped to add a second 48MP camera as new roadmap pegs Apple’s foldable for 2026 — latest for Nov. 7, 2025

November 7, 2025
by
iPhone Air 2 tipped to add a second 48MP camera as new roadmap pegs Apple’s foldable for 2026 — latest for Nov. 7, 2025
  • A reliable Weibo leaker says Apple is evaluating a dual‑camera setup (48MP main + 48MP ultrawide) for the next iPhone Air, potentially fixing the current model’s most‑criticized omission. [1]
  • A separate JP Morgan supply‑chain note (surfaced via Max Weinbach) outlines Apple’s first foldable iPhone for H2 2026 with an under‑display 24MP selfie camera, a second 24MP selfie on the cover screen, and a dual 48MP rear array — likely without Face ID. [2]
  • Today’s coverage amplifies the dual‑camera rumor for “iPhone Air 2/iPhone 18 Air”, with fresh reports reiterating a 6.5‑inch display and ultrathin design continuity. [3]

What’s new today (Nov. 7)

Indian tech outlet HT Tech (Hindustan Times) published a roundup this morning, echoing claims that Apple’s 2026 iPhone Air will retain its slim 6.5‑inch design while adding a second rear camera — a 48MP ultrawide alongside the 48MP main. The piece attributes the leak to Digital Chat Station and shows a render with the familiar horizontal “plateau” camera bar. [4]

Meanwhile, the roadmap leak discussed yesterday continues to circulate: a JP Morgan note summarized by multiple publications projects a 2026 foldable iPhone with dual 24MP selfie cameras (one under the inner display), dual 48MP rear cameras, and a staggered iPhone 18 launch that still includes an iPhone Air 2 in 2026 (and even an Air 3 in 2027). [5]

The iPhone Air 2 rumor: Apple may fix the Air’s “one big problem”

When Apple introduced the iPhone Air in September, it delivered a stunningly thin titanium design but only one rear camera, which reviewers repeatedly flagged as the device’s biggest compromise. Now, prolific leaker Digital Chat Station says Apple is evaluating a second 48MP ultrawide lens for the successor — likely still using the horizontal “plateau” to house components and preserve battery space in the ultra‑slim frame. [6]

Tom’s Guide framed the rumor squarely around that drawback, noting that a second lens would put the Air in line with most rivals and remove a major visual and practical disadvantage. The outlet also argues battery life and heat should be on Apple’s fix list, given the first‑gen Air’s smaller pack and lack of faster charging. [7]

MacRumors’ roundup of the same Weibo post adds helpful context: the dual‑camera evaluation is for the 2026 model, commonly referred to as “iPhone 18 Air,” with analyst chatter suggesting Apple still plans an Air refresh in H2 2026 and another in 2027. MacRumors also cautions that first‑gen Air sales appear soft outside China, a factor that could influence final decisions. [8]

Naming note: even leakers aren’t aligned on whether Apple will brand it “iPhone Air 2” or “iPhone 18 Air.” The current reporting uses both interchangeably. [9]

The bigger picture: a leaked iPhone roadmap through 2027 — and Apple’s first foldable

A separate report — a JP Morgan supply‑chain roadmap shared by Max Weinbach and summarized by TechRadar — sketches Apple’s next two years of iPhone hardware. Highlights include:

  • Foldable iPhone in H2 2026 with an under‑display 24MP selfie camera (and a second 24MP selfie on the cover screen), and a dual 48MP + 48MP rear. The trade‑off: no Face ID on this first foldable, likely due to the UDC packaging constraints. [10]
  • iPhone Air 2 (2026) and Air 3 (2027) appear on the slate, signaling Apple’s continued commitment to the ultra‑slim Air line despite mixed early demand. [11]

Android‑focused outlets covering the same note reinforce the under‑display 24MP claim and the Face ID omission for Apple’s foldable — with Touch ID floated as the likely fallback. While these are still analyst‑level predictions, they align on timing and camera architecture. [12]

Why a second camera on iPhone Air matters

The original iPhone Air shipped with a single 48MP Fusion main camera and a distinctive horizontal camera “plateau” that also houses the speaker and silicon — a space‑saving recipe that helped achieve the Air’s record thinness. A dual‑camera move would restore the 0.5x ultrawide perspective that buyers expect at this price tier, and it would do so without abandoning the horizontal bar that defines the design. [13]

For creators and travelers — two groups Apple pitches the Air to — adding a 48MP ultrawide would expand framing options, improve video versatility, and reduce reliance on digital workarounds that can degrade image quality. That, combined with any thermal and battery tuning Apple undertakes, could make the Air line easier to recommend to mainstream buyers. [14]

What stays the same (according to current chatter)

Most reporting suggests Apple will keep the Air’s core identity: an ultra‑thin titanium build, a 6.5‑inch 120Hz display, and the unique camera plateau. Even if the second lens is green‑lit, expect Apple to fight for every cubic millimeter to avoid sacrificing battery capacity — a trade‑off that defined the first‑gen model. Official specs for the 2026 device are not final and could change during Apple’s typical late‑stage hardware evaluations. [15]

Timeline: what to expect and when

  • Late 2025: Rumor cycle accelerates as Apple sets 2026 hardware decisions; analyst notes and supply‑chain reporting firm up. (Today’s items add weight to camera and foldable details.) [16]
  • H1–H2 2026: If the roadmap holds, Apple finalizes the Air refresh and preps its first foldable for a September 2026 slot alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models. [17]
  • 2027: A follow‑on Air 3 appears on internal roadmaps, potentially with incremental refinements and possible display changes. Plans can and do shift. [18]

Bottom line

For the iPhone Air 2, the strongest signal right now is that Apple is actively evaluating a dual‑camera upgrade — the fix fans of the first‑gen model asked for on day one. In parallel, a credible roadmap points to Apple’s first foldable in 2026 with ambitious camera tech under the display and a dual‑camera rear, even if that means no Face ID at launch. None of this is official, but taken together, the leaks suggest Apple will double down on thinness and use camera hardware to address the Air’s biggest pain point. Watch this space — and expect the picture to sharpen as we move into 2026. [19]

Sources & further reading

  • Tom’s Guide: iPhone Air 2 rumor framed as fixing the Air’s single‑camera drawback; notes on battery and heat. Published Nov. 6. [20]
  • TechRadar: JP Morgan roadmap via Max Weinbach — foldable camera layout/timing; Air 2 and Air 3 presence; possible staggered iPhone 18 schedule. Published Nov. 6. [21]
  • AppleInsider: Digital Chat Station leak details on dual‑camera evaluation and the horizontal “plateau.” Published Nov. 6. [22]
  • MacRumors: Roundup of DCS claims; Kuo’s timing for Air 2 (2026) and Air 3 (2027); sales context outside China. Published Nov. 6. [23]
  • HT Tech (Hindustan Times): Today’s fresh coverage reiterating dual‑camera rumor and 6.5‑inch design continuity. Published Nov. 7. [24]
  • AndroidHeadlines: Additional reporting on foldable’s under‑display 24MP selfie and Face ID omission per JP Morgan note. Published Nov. 6. [25]
  • Apple Newsroom (Sept. 2025): Baseline iPhone Air specs — ultrathin titanium design, 6.5‑inch 120Hz display, 48MP main camera, 18MP Center Stage front camera. [26]
The NEW Folding iPhone!? 📲
Watch this video on YouTube.

References

1. appleinsider.com, 2. www.techradar.com, 3. www.hindustantimes.com, 4. www.hindustantimes.com, 5. www.techradar.com, 6. www.tomsguide.com, 7. www.tomsguide.com, 8. www.macrumors.com, 9. www.tomsguide.com, 10. www.techradar.com, 11. www.techradar.com, 12. www.androidheadlines.com, 13. www.apple.com, 14. www.tomsguide.com, 15. www.apple.com, 16. www.hindustantimes.com, 17. www.techradar.com, 18. www.techradar.com, 19. appleinsider.com, 20. www.tomsguide.com, 21. www.techradar.com, 22. appleinsider.com, 23. www.macrumors.com, 24. www.hindustantimes.com, 25. www.androidheadlines.com, 26. www.apple.com

Mateusz Brzeziński

Technology News

  • AI to Cut Staffing in One-Quarter of Large UK Firms, Study Finds
    November 9, 2025, 7:52 PM EST. New research suggests that AI adoption could lead to staffing reductions in about a quarter of large UK firms. The study highlights how automation and AI-enabled workflows may streamline roles, push workforce redesign, and accelerate productivity gains even as demand for digital skills rises. While some firms expect to reallocate workers rather than fire them, the overall trend points to a shift in labor demand toward more technical, data-driven roles. Policymakers and business leaders should watch for implications on employment, wage growth, and reskilling needs, and consider targeted programs to help workers transition as automation accelerates.
  • Apple Beats Earnings, $1 Billion Google AI Deal, Budget Mac And More: This Week In Appleverse
    November 9, 2025, 7:42 PM EST. This week in Appleverse, Apple beat quarterly expectations and sealed a $1 billion AI deal with Alphabet's Google for Gemini-powered Siri updates. The collaboration boosts Siri's capabilities and signals Apple's accelerating AI roadmap. Wall Street cheered the earnings beat as Apple edges toward broader AI and services momentum. In parallel, Apple is testing a new budget Mac codenamed J700 aimed at students and budget-conscious users, signaling a potential push into the low-cost laptop market. Industry chatter notes ongoing pressure from rivals like Qualcomm and the competitive AI arms race, but Apple's stellar hardware, flagship ecosystem, and strategic partnerships keep it at the center of tech policy and consumer demand.
  • Tesla expands Robotaxi to five U.S. cities, signals broader rollout and new texting feature
    November 9, 2025, 7:40 PM EST. Tesla is expanding its Robotaxi program to Las Vegas, Phoenix, Dallas, Houston, and Miami after earlier launches in Austin and the Bay Area. The service varies by jurisdiction, with a Safety Monitor and Full Self-Driving control in some regions and no driver in others. CEO Elon Musk has said the company aims to broaden the rollout to Nevada, Arizona, and Florida, targeting roughly half the U.S. population by year-end. At the annual shareholder meeting, Musk also teased a potential feature to let owners text while the car drives, though timing remains uncertain. Regulation remains a key factor as Tesla shifts from pilot to wider deployment.
  • Apple iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max Renewed Premium Deals on Amazon
    November 9, 2025, 7:38 PM EST. Updated deals show last year's iPhone 16 models offer significant savings as the prices for the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max dip in Amazon Renewed Premium. Apple still sells the iPhone 16, while the Pro variants disappeared from Apple's store. Amazon Renewed Premium ensures no screen scratches, full functionality, and at least 90% battery. Prices: iPhone 16 Pro 256GB now $824.97; 512GB $869; 1TB $1,099.97. For Pro Max, 256GB starts about $921.60-$928.97 depending on color; 512GB $1,034.97; 1TB $1,299.97. 128GB unlocked models and natural titanium color for some variants are unavailable. Deals change weekly and are refurbished, not new.
  • Tesla's European and Chinese sales dip as competition tightens
    November 9, 2025, 7:36 PM EST. Tesla's investors are weighing a larger stake for Elon Musk, but the bigger story may be demand. October monthly registrations show double-digit drops across Europe: Sweden 89%, Denmark 86%, Belgium 69%, Finland 68%, Austria 65%, Switzerland 60%, Portugal 59%, Germany 54%, Norway 50%, the Netherlands 48%, the UK 47%, Italy 47%, Spain 31%, with France up 2% thanks to a subsidy. China fared only slightly better, with a 9.9% year-over-year dip. The culprit appears to be intensifying competition from established automakers and new Chinese startups, plus Tesla's limited lineup beyond the Models 3 and Y, which now looks dated despite cosmetic tweaks. Slower demand and rising costs have squeezed margins, threatening profits despite earlier record quarterly sales.