Apple is reportedly preparing the second-generation iPhone Air, and the update may directly address the two biggest complaints about the first model. According to Bloomberg, the iPhone Air 2 is now in advanced testing, with a stronger focus on a more flexible camera setup and better battery life.
That matters because the original iPhone Air stood out for its slim body, but it did not become Apple’s best-selling iPhone. Its thin design drew attention, yet compromises on the rear camera and battery made it feel less complete than other iPhone models.
A second camera could change the formula
Bloomberg says the internal prototype carries the codename V62. The most notable change is the addition of a second rear camera in the form of an ultrawide lens.
For photography, that would be a significant upgrade. The first iPhone Air had only one rear camera, which could still produce good photos but lacked the flexibility of an ultrawide perspective.
The absence of an ultrawide lens was an easy weakness to spot in its class. Every other iPhone released in the same period reportedly offered at least two rear cameras, leaving the iPhone Air as the exception.
The limitation likely came from the tighter space inside its thinner chassis. If Apple can add an ultrawide camera to the iPhone Air 2, it would suggest the company has found a better balance between slim design and practical features.
Battery life is the other priority
Battery endurance was the other major compromise in the first model. Apple’s thin design left less internal room, and that affected how long the phone could last between charges.
For the successor, Apple is reportedly working to improve battery life, though it is still unclear whether the gain will come from a larger battery or from better chip efficiency.
A new chip is part of the plan
The iPhone Air 2 is said to use a variant of the A20 Pro chip, the same family expected in the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
That points to a broader strategy than simply adjusting the hardware layout. Better power efficiency from the new processor could be essential if Apple wants to keep the phone thin without leaving too little room for the battery.
Bloomberg says there are still no detailed technical figures for the battery upgrade. It is also not yet clear whether Apple will change the device’s internal dimensions or rely mainly on silicon and software optimization.
Apple may also change how it launches iPhones
The report also points to a major shift in Apple’s release schedule. Instead of launching every iPhone model at once, the company is said to be moving toward a staggered rollout.
Under the new pattern, Pro models would arrive first in the fall. The regular iPhone 18 is then expected in the spring, and the iPhone Air 2 is also said to be part of that spring launch window.
That would give the iPhone Air 2 a more visible role in Apple’s lineup. Rather than sitting in the shadow of the Pro models, it could share the spotlight with the standard iPhone 18.
Bloomberg says the staggered approach could help Apple spread revenue more evenly through the year. It may also improve the company’s competitive position against brands such as Samsung, which already distribute phone launches across the calendar.
Why the iPhone Air 2 still matters
The iPhone Air appears to remain strategically important even though the first version was not the top seller. Its appeal comes from the thin, distinctive design, and improvements to camera and battery could make the concept feel more complete.
If the ultrawide lens arrives, the phone will no longer seem so limited in photography. If battery life also improves, Apple could remove two of the most visible compromises without giving up the slim profile that defines the lineup.
Bloomberg says the iPhone Air 2 is expected to arrive in the spring of 2027 alongside the regular iPhone 18. With advanced testing already underway, Apple’s direction is becoming clearer: the company wants an iPhone Air that stays thin, but no longer sacrifices too much on essential features.