The second-generation iPhone Air won’t launch next fall, according to an unconfirmed report published Monday. The super-slim new smartphone is apparently such a dud with customers that Apple put the follow-up on hold.
Reports that the iPhone Air hasn’t found an audience have circulated almost since the handset premiered in September.
iPhone Air struggles to find an audience
The iPhone Air launched as part of the iPhone 17 series. Analysts quickly reported that the base-model iPhone 17 was an immediate hit, and iPhone revenue set a new record the quarter the series launched, and the current quarter is predicted to be a gangbuster.
But the iPhone Air is a standout… and not in a good way. Analysts’ talk of weak demand has dogged the device. And Monday brought a serious blow.
“Apple is delaying the release of next year’s version of the iPhone Air, its thinnest smartphone, after the first model sold below expectations,” reported The Information.
Cupertino had been planning to introduce an iPhone Air 2 in fall 2026. It still might put an updated version out in spring 2027, according to the report. But, in the mean time, it has “already sharply scaled back production of the first version.”
Simply not enough iPhone
Many potential buyers feel the iPhone Air doesn’t offer enough for its price. Reviews point out that while its ultra-slim design is visually appealing, key compromises — such as only a single rear camera, weaker battery life compared with other models, and lower-end audio/speaker performance — make it less compelling.
Another strike against it is price. At $999, it costs as much as more capable models, but the feature set is closer to a mid-tier device. It’s clear a slim chassis isn’t enough to overcome that perception.
Another challenge is that Apple makes four other compelling iOS handsets, and a new folding version is expected in autumn 2026. The Air didn’t stand out enough.
Still, the follow-up might be more enticing to buyers. It’ll offer more battery capacity than the original, according to The Information, while actually getting lighter. A separate report pointed to an additional camera.
But at this point, the fate of the iPhone Air 2 is, well, up in the air.