iPhone Air 2 (2026) release date expectations, price estimates, and upgrades
What we know so far
Apple launched its first-ever iPhone Air in fall 2025 alongside the iPhone 17 series. Even though the phone has only just hit the market, chatter is already building around the next generation, likely called the iPhone Air 2 (2026).
The name isn’t official yet, but one thing is sure – this will be the second version of Apple’s thinnest iPhone ever – probably around 5.6mm or even slimmer. The iPhone Air 2 is expected to debut alongside the next iPhone 18 series, or at least some models like the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and Apple’s first foldable iPhone.
For now, rumors are light, but we don’t expect major design changes. Most updates will likely be internal, like a next-gen chipset and a few small tweaks here and there.
However, even though it’s still early, we can already make some educated guesses about what’s coming. And as time goes on, we’ll be tracking every leak and update for the iPhone Air 2 (2026) – so if you want the latest, this is the place to watch.
iPhone Air 2 release date
The first iPhone Air launched in September 2025, and nearly every iPhone series before that also dropped in the fall. So there’s no reason to think Apple will switch things up next year.
The one thing that could change is how many models arrive in the fall. Some rumors suggest the regular iPhone 18 might launch alongside the iPhone 18e in 2027 instead of with the rest of the series in fall 2026. Of course, we’ll have to wait and see if that actually happens – we’re still months away from the official reveal.
| Device | Announcement | Market release |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone Air 2 | September, 2026* | September, 2026 |
| iPhone Air | September 9, 2025 | September 19, 2025 |
* – probable dates
iPhone Air 2 price
It’s way too early to know the price for the iPhone Air 2, which is still a year out. That said, the first iPhone Air is already pricey, so I wouldn’t expect Apple to hike it even higher. Of course, with possible higher tariffs in play, nothing is guaranteed.
| iPhone model | 256 GB of storage | 512 GB of storage | 1 TB of storage |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone Air 2 | $999* | $1,199* | $1,399* |
| iPhone Air | $999 | $1,199 | $1,399 |
*– anticipated prices
iPhone Air 2 camera
iPhone Air has only one camera on the back. | Image credit – PhoneArena
iPhone Air 2 expected camera setup:
- 48 MP main camera
- 18 MP selfie camera
That 48 MP Fusion camera packs four focal lengths, including 28mm and 35mm options, plus a 2x Telephoto lens with an updated Photonic Engine. The iPhone Air snaps good-quality photos, but the lack of telephoto is obvious. Apple will probably stick with the same setup for next year’s model as well.
iPhone Air 2 storage
iPhone Air 2 expected storage capacity:
With the iPhone 17 series and the first iPhone Air, Apple finally ditched the 128 GB base option – and don’t expect it to return. The next-gen iPhone Air 2 will likely stick to the same storage tiers as the current model, with three options and the top tier reaching 1 TB.
iPhone Air 2 design
An IP68 rating is also a given – every new flagship needs solid dust and water resistance, so the next Air should have at least that.
You can also count on the return of the Action button for customizable shortcuts and the dedicated Camera Control button for quick access to camera tools and visual intelligence features.
Color options? Still a mystery.
iPhone Air 2 display
| Phone Name | Screen size | Brightness |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone Air 2 (2026) | 6,5″* | 3,000* |
| iPhone Air | 6.5″ | 3,000 |
* – anticipated sizes
And since Apple finally ditched the old 60Hz refresh rate, the next Air will almost certainly come with ProMotion – a 120Hz dynamic refresh rate for smooth scrolling and visuals.
iPhone Air 2 battery
Right now, the iPhone Air has a 3,149 mAh battery, which is decent for daily use. Apple brought back the MagSafe battery and made it exclusive to the Air – and chances are, the next generation will follow the same path.
The current Air scores about 6h 41m in battery tests, ranking #79 over the past two years. That’s just shy of the class average of 7h 9m, and it even beats the Galaxy S25 Edge, despite the latter having a much bigger battery.
Charging will likely stick with MagSafe support, along with wired speeds that aren’t exactly blazing fast – just enough to keep you going.
iPhone Air 2 features and software
Apple Intelligence will definitely be onboard, meaning all the AI features from the current Air will carry over – and probably a few new tricks, too. Hopefully, by next year, Apple will finally roll out the upgraded Siri, and the Air 2 will support it as well.
iPhone Air 2 hardware and specs
iPhone Air 2’s expected specs:
- A20 Pro chipset
- RAM: 8 GB
- Battery: ~ 3,149 mAh
- Charging: up to 20W wired charging and up to 20W wireless charging
- Storage: 256 GB, 512 GB and 1 TB
- Camera setup: 48 MP main camera and 18 MP selfie camera
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7, 5G, Bluetooth 6, eSIM only
And this could be a big deal. While the A19 in the iPhone 17 series is built on a 3nm process, the A20 is rumored to move to 2nm (N2). That could mean around 15% more performance while using 30% less power – easily one of Apple’s boldest chip upgrades yet.
On top of that, Apple is reportedly working on the C2 modem, the follow-up to the C1 from the iPhone 16e. This next-gen 5G chip could launch with the iPhone 18 lineup in 2026 and aims to fully cut ties with Qualcomm. Expect better mmWave support, faster carrier aggregation, and improved power efficiency.
Should I wait for iPhone Air 2?
- You should wait for the iPhone Air 2 if you’re not in a rush. The phone is still a ways off, and if you want the super slim iPhone but prefer the second-gen model – which usually fixes early issues and feels more polished – the Air 2 could be worth holding out for.
- You should not wait for the iPhone Air 2 if you want a new iPhone right now. The current generation just dropped, so if you’re not up for waiting until next year, grabbing it now makes more sense. Plus, if super slim phones aren’t really your style, you might be happier with the regular iPhone 17 or one of the Pro models.
