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Apple Delays ‘iPhone Air 2’—Next Ultra‑Thin iPhone Now Aiming for 2027 as Sales Lag

November 11, 2025
by
Apple Delays ‘iPhone Air 2’—Next Ultra‑Thin iPhone Now Aiming for 2027 as Sales Lag

Apple has pulled the second‑generation iPhone Air from its internal launch schedule after the first model underperformed, according to multiple reports. A follow‑up today indicates Apple is redesigning the next version—likely adding a second rear camera—and is now targeting spring 2027 at the earliest. Apple has not commented. [1]

What’s new today (Nov. 11, 2025)

  • Fresh follow‑up: Overnight, 9to5Mac reported that Apple’s current plan is to push iPhone Air 2 to spring 2027, as engineers work on a redesign that brings a second rear camera—addressing one of the biggest complaints about the original ultra‑thin model. Timelines could still slip. [2]
  • The trigger: The delay traces back to weak early demand for the first‑generation iPhone Air, which launched in September 2025 as Apple’s thinnest phone to date. Apple informed engineers and suppliers that the sequel was taken off the schedule without a new date, per The Information’s original report. (The story is paywalled; Apple has not publicly confirmed.) [3]

The state of play

  • Original plan vs. now: Apple was previously aiming for fall 2026 for iPhone Air 2. That’s no longer the case amid sluggish sales of the current model, multiple outlets note. [4]
  • Why the pause: The first iPhone Air shipped thin and light—but with trade‑offs like a single‑lens rear camera and smaller battery at a relatively high price point. Coverage and reader feedback suggest that value equation hasn’t resonated with many buyers. [5]
  • Production pullback: Supply‑chain chatter compiled by 9to5Mac says Foxconn has dismantled most iPhone Air lines and expects to halt production by month‑end; Luxshare reportedly stopped at October’s end. [6]
  • Regional wrinkle: Apple only recently expanded iPhone Air to China as an eSIM‑only phone after local carriers secured approval—another sign the rollout has been atypical. [7]

What the next iPhone Air was (and may still be) aiming to fix

  • Cooling & efficiency: Apple had explored bringing the vapor‑chamber cooling system from iPhone 17 Pro to the Air line for better sustained performance. [8]
  • Battery life: Reports also pointed to a larger battery versus the 2025 model. [9]
  • Cameras: Today’s update suggests Apple now intends to add a second rear camera—a change significant enough to force a longer redesign window. [10]

How Apple’s 2026–2027 iPhone roadmap shifts

  • Fall 2026 focus: Without Air 2, Apple’s fall 2026 spotlight is expected to be on iPhone 18 Pro (and an oft‑rumored foldable iPhone), while the standard iPhone 18/18e move to spring 2027. [11]
  • iPhone Air 2 timing:Earliest now looks like spring 2027, contingent on the redesign’s scope and Apple’s typical two‑year hardware lock‑in cycle. [12]

Why sales stumbled (early read)

  • Price‑to‑features gap: The first iPhone Air’s thinness-first proposition came with fewer features than a similarly priced Pro model, and that trade‑off appears to have limited mainstream appeal. MacRumors’ analysis highlights how the Air’s price sat uncomfortably close to the Pro while offering less camera and battery headroom. [13]
  • Market conditions: Broader iPhone demand remains cyclical, but the Air’s niche positioning likely narrowed its audience during a year of cautious consumer spending—especially in China, where the Air arrived later as an eSIM‑only device. [14]

What it means if you’re shopping now

  • If you want thin and light today: The current iPhone Air will still suit super‑lightphone fans, but expect limited long‑tail attention from Apple’s lineup. Consider whether the iPhone 17/17 Pro deliver better overall value if you prioritize camera and battery life. (That’s what early comparative coverage and pricing dynamics suggest.) [15]
  • If you can wait: If the second camera is make‑or‑break, the safe move is to hold off for the redesigned model—which, as of this morning’s reporting, targets spring 2027. Plans can change, but that’s the current trajectory. [16]
  • Trade‑in timing: Should Apple pause the Air line longer‑term, resale values may behave more like past “niche” iPhones (mini/Plus). That argues for earlier trade‑ins if you already own an Air and plan to switch within a year. (Context from historical lineup shifts; Apple hasn’t commented.)

Key dates & quotes to know

  • Nov. 10, 2025: The Information reports Apple removed iPhone Air 2 from its schedule amid weak sales of the first model; Apple declines comment. [17]
  • Nov. 11, 2025: 9to5Mac follow‑up says Apple is redesigning Air 2 with a second rear camera and now aims for spring 2027. [18]

FAQ

Is iPhone Air 2 canceled?
No. Reports say Apple “stopped short of canceling” the project but removed it from the near‑term schedule while teams continue work. [19]

Why would Apple redesign so late in the cycle?
Because hardware changes (like adding a camera) ripple through lens modules, logic board layout, thermal design, and software tuning—work that typically begins ~2 years before launch. Today’s follow‑up explicitly notes that such a mid‑cycle change is non‑trivial. [20]

What will Apple launch in fall 2026 instead?
Expect iPhone 18 Pro models (and possibly a foldable iPhone) to headline; base iPhone 18 models would shift to spring 2027. [21]

Sources & further reading

  • Original scoop (paywalled): The Information — “Apple Delays Release of Next iPhone Air Amid Weak Sales.” [22]
  • 9to5Mac — “Apple just delayed the iPhone Air 2 indefinitely, report says.” Deep dive on the schedule change and supplier actions. [23]
  • 9to5Mac (today) — “iPhone Air 2 is delayed until 2027 so Apple can add a second camera to it.” [24]
  • The Verge — “The next iPhone Air has reportedly been delayed.” Lineup timing context for 2026–2027. [25]
  • Reuters — “Apple delays next version of iPhone Air, The Information reports.” Wider market context (including China eSIM rollout). [26]
  • MacRumors — “iPhone Air Sales Are So Bad That Apple’s Delaying the Next‑Generation Version.” Pricing/feature trade‑offs and sales reception. [27]
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References

1. 9to5mac.com, 2. 9to5mac.com, 3. www.theinformation.com, 4. www.reuters.com, 5. www.macrumors.com, 6. 9to5mac.com, 7. www.reuters.com, 8. 9to5mac.com, 9. 9to5mac.com, 10. 9to5mac.com, 11. www.theverge.com, 12. 9to5mac.com, 13. www.macrumors.com, 14. www.reuters.com, 15. www.macrumors.com, 16. 9to5mac.com, 17. www.theinformation.com, 18. 9to5mac.com, 19. 9to5mac.com, 20. 9to5mac.com, 21. www.theverge.com, 22. www.theinformation.com, 23. 9to5mac.com, 24. 9to5mac.com, 25. www.theverge.com, 26. www.reuters.com, 27. www.macrumors.com

Mateusz Brzeziński

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