Second-gen iPhone Air could fix biggest issues with first model, may arrive in March 2027
Apple is reportedly preparing a second-generation iPhone Air for 2027 even as Samsung abandons its next slim Galaxy Edge. The move suggests Apple still sees room to fix the Air's camera and battery compromises.
For years, smartphone companies competed to make phones faster, bigger and more powerful. Now, they are chasing something else: thinness. Last year, both Apple and Samsung tried their hands at ultra-slim smartphones. Samsung launched the Galaxy S25 Edge, while Apple introduced the iPhone Air. But the two companies now appear to be taking very different paths.
According to reports, Samsung has scrapped plans to launch the Galaxy S26 Edge after the slim phone reportedly failed to attract enough buyers. Apple, on the other hand, seems convinced that thinner phones still have a future. According to Bloomberg, the company is already preparing a second-generation iPhone Air for spring 2027.
A beautiful phone with compromises
The first iPhone Air made an immediate impression. In our review at India Today Tech, we observed that the iPhone Air, discounting its camera bump, is the slimmest iPhone ever made at just 5.6mm. It is also among the lightest, weighing only 165 grams.
But achieving that design came with compromises. As good as the iPhone Air's single camera is, it lacks the versatility offered by the iPhone 17 Pro's triple-camera setup. The mono speaker means the Air is neither as loud as the iPhone 17 Pro, which has stereo speakers, nor does it offer the same rich sound. And of all four iPhones launched this year, the iPhone Air has the smallest battery.
These limitations have reportedly become some of the biggest complaints among users.
Apple wants to fix the biggest complaints
Bloomberg reports that Apple is now working to address many of these shortcomings with the next-generation iPhone Air. Current prototypes of the new model, code-named V62, reportedly include a second rear camera for ultrawide-angle photography. The device is said to be in advanced testing within Apple.
The overall design is expected to remain largely unchanged, but Apple is also reportedly working to improve battery life. It is still unclear how the company plans to achieve that. The improvement could come from a larger battery, though fitting one into the Air's slim chassis may be difficult. Another possibility is improved efficiency.
The updated Air is also expected to be powered by a version of the A20 Pro processor, the same chip that is set to arrive in this fall's iPhones. According to Bloomberg, Apple sees the camera system and battery life as two of the biggest opportunities for improving the Air. The limitations of the current single-camera setup have reportedly drawn the most complaints from customers.
Apple's bigger plans for the iPhone
The second-generation Air could arrive around a year and a half after the first model, though Apple's plans may still change. The company is also said to have bigger ambitions for the years ahead.
Bloomberg has previously reported that Apple plans to launch its first foldable iPhone later this year. It is also developing a special 20th anniversary iPhone for 2027 that could feature a curved screen wrapping around the edges of the device.
Apple is reportedly changing its release schedule as well.
This year, the fall lineup is expected to include only higher-end models — the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and a new foldable iPhone. About six months later, Apple is reportedly planning to launch the standard iPhone 18 alongside the refreshed iPhone Air.
For years, smartphone companies competed to make phones faster, bigger and more powerful. Now, they are chasing something else: thinness. Last year, both Apple and Samsung tried their hands at ultra-slim smartphones. Samsung launched the Galaxy S25 Edge, while Apple introduced the iPhone Air. But the two companies now appear to be taking very different paths.
According to reports, Samsung has scrapped plans to launch the Galaxy S26 Edge after the slim phone reportedly failed to attract enough buyers. Apple, on the other hand, seems convinced that thinner phones still have a future. According to Bloomberg, the company is already preparing a second-generation iPhone Air for spring 2027.
A beautiful phone with compromises
The first iPhone Air made an immediate impression. In our review at India Today Tech, we observed that the iPhone Air, discounting its camera bump, is the slimmest iPhone ever made at just 5.6mm. It is also among the lightest, weighing only 165 grams.
But achieving that design came with compromises. As good as the iPhone Air's single camera is, it lacks the versatility offered by the iPhone 17 Pro's triple-camera setup. The mono speaker means the Air is neither as loud as the iPhone 17 Pro, which has stereo speakers, nor does it offer the same rich sound. And of all four iPhones launched this year, the iPhone Air has the smallest battery.
These limitations have reportedly become some of the biggest complaints among users.
Apple wants to fix the biggest complaints
Bloomberg reports that Apple is now working to address many of these shortcomings with the next-generation iPhone Air. Current prototypes of the new model, code-named V62, reportedly include a second rear camera for ultrawide-angle photography. The device is said to be in advanced testing within Apple.
The overall design is expected to remain largely unchanged, but Apple is also reportedly working to improve battery life. It is still unclear how the company plans to achieve that. The improvement could come from a larger battery, though fitting one into the Air's slim chassis may be difficult. Another possibility is improved efficiency.
The updated Air is also expected to be powered by a version of the A20 Pro processor, the same chip that is set to arrive in this fall's iPhones. According to Bloomberg, Apple sees the camera system and battery life as two of the biggest opportunities for improving the Air. The limitations of the current single-camera setup have reportedly drawn the most complaints from customers.
Apple's bigger plans for the iPhone
The second-generation Air could arrive around a year and a half after the first model, though Apple's plans may still change. The company is also said to have bigger ambitions for the years ahead.
Bloomberg has previously reported that Apple plans to launch its first foldable iPhone later this year. It is also developing a special 20th anniversary iPhone for 2027 that could feature a curved screen wrapping around the edges of the device.
Apple is reportedly changing its release schedule as well.
This year, the fall lineup is expected to include only higher-end models — the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and a new foldable iPhone. About six months later, Apple is reportedly planning to launch the standard iPhone 18 alongside the refreshed iPhone Air.
