According to a new claim from leaker Fixed Focus Digital, Apple is still planning to announce the second-generation iPhone Air at its fall event, pointing to a 2026 debut rather than an indefinite pause.
This directly contradicts earlier reporting from The Information, which suggested Apple had quietly pulled the next iPhone Air from its roadmap without committing to a new launch window. For a product line that already felt uncertain after its first generation, the mixed messaging has made it difficult to pin down Apple’s real intentions.
Now, the picture may be getting clearer.
A Leaker Pushes Back on Delay Reports
Fixed Focus Digital, posting on Weibo, claims that Apple has not shelved the iPhone Air 2 and that it is still scheduled for a fall launch. While Apple has not confirmed anything publicly, the leaker’s statement is notable because it runs counter to the idea that the Air line is on hold or being rethought for years.
Earlier this month, The Information reported that Apple had informed engineers and suppliers that the next iPhone Air was no longer on the active schedule. A follow-up report added that some internal teams were hoping for a redesigned version with a second camera, potentially launching as late as spring 2027.
The new leak suggests that plan may have changed, or that Apple never fully abandoned its original timeline in the first place.
Why The iPhone Air 2 Still Makes Sense for Apple
The first iPhone Air introduced a thinner and lighter design, but it also came with compromises. The single-camera setup and pricing strategy drew criticism, especially when compared to more feature-rich models in Apple’s lineup.
If the iPhone Air 2 does arrive in 2026, it is expected to address at least two of those concerns. Reports indicate Apple is considering adding a second rear camera and adjusting pricing to better justify the Air branding. That would make the device easier to position between the standard iPhone and the Pro models, rather than feeling like a niche experiment.
From a lineup perspective, Apple also benefits from keeping the Air name alive. As the company experiments with foldables and new form factors, a thinner, design-focused iPhone still has a role to play, particularly for users who value aesthetics and portability over camera hardware.
How this Fits into Apple’s Broader Plans
The same leaker also echoed earlier claims that the iPhone 17e is expected to debut at Apple’s spring event, likely in March. That model is said to feature modest upgrades, including a new modem and the return of MagSafe wireless charging via a glass back.
Related: Apple’s iPhone Roadmap: Foldable iPhone, iPhone 20, and What’s Coming Next
Taken together, these rumors suggest Apple is refining its release cadence rather than simplifying it. A spring launch for the 17e, followed by a fall event featuring premium and design-forward models like the iPhone Air 2, would give Apple more flexibility across the year.
What to Make of these Conflicting Rumors
As with most Apple leaks, the truth likely sits somewhere in the middle. Apple is known for adjusting timelines internally, especially when a product does not land as expected on its first try. The iPhone Air fits that pattern.
The latest claim does not guarantee a 2026 launch, but it does push back against the idea that the Air line is finished or frozen indefinitely. If nothing else, it suggests Apple is still actively debating where the iPhone Air belongs in its future lineup.
For now, the iPhone Air 2 remains unconfirmed, but it is no longer written off.
