In summary:
- Tech Advisor reports that Apple’s iPhone Air 2 will feature a dedicated ultra-wide camera, addressing the original model’s major flaw of having only a single 48MP rear camera despite its £999 price.
- Apple is reportedly using custom ultra-thin Face ID components to create space for the second camera, fixing previous criticism about terrible zoom photography capabilities.
- The iPhone Air design technology may influence Apple’s upcoming foldable iPhone, expected to launch this year at around $2,399, despite the Air 2’s reportedly poor sales performance.
The iPhone Air 2 is set to correct what was arguably the biggest flaw with the original, according to a fresh rumour.
Tipster Momentary Digital has taken to Weibo to issue a claim concerning the follow-up to 2025’s iPhone Air. Apparently, the iPhone Air 2 will incorporate a dedicated ultra-wide camera alongside the main wide lens.
Apple seems to be going out of its way to address this major criticism of the original Air, with the company said to be commissioning a custom ultra-thin Face ID component in order to work up some extra space for a second camera.
Our Mobile Editor Anyron Copeman reviewed the first iPhone Air back in October, and one of his main criticisms was that this slinky smartphone was “Too expensive for what it is”.
If you’re spending £999 on a new phone, you might well expect a complete camera system. At the very least, you’d expect an ultra-wide option to accompany the main sensor.
As it was, the iPhone Air packed just the one 48Mp rear camera.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
The future of the iPhone Air
Our review also criticised the iPhone Air’s “Terrible zoom photography”, but that’s presumably a problem for the iPhone Air 3 to handle – if indeed Apple ever makes a third super-slim phone.
Reports toward the end of 2025 had us doubting whether we’d even see second iPhone Air, let alone a third. Sales of the slim new model are said to have been poor since its September launch.
Of course, Apple might be invested in the design technology behind the iPhone Air for other reasons. It’s widely expected to launch its first foldable iPhone later this year, which will surely capitalise on the lessons learned with the iPhone Air.
It’s be nice if said bendy foldable packed more than a single camera – especially if it’s going to cost $2,399 (about £1,750), as some commentators would have it.
Author: Jon Mundy, Contributor, Tech Advisor
Jon is a freelance journalist who got his start covering mobile games at the dawn of the App Store. He has since covered everything from smart home tech and laptops to food and culture, but always seems to return to his fascination with smartphones.