The latest revelations in the early hours of Thursday morning, Beijing time, revealed that the ill-fated iPhone Air will soon receive a second-generation update next spring, trying to make up for a series of "fatal shortcomings" and once again test the market's preference for ultra-thin iPhones. For context, the iPhone Air is set to debut in September 2025, and compared to the similarly priced iPhone 17 Pro,The iPhone Air has only one rear camera, retains only a top speaker, and has terrible battery life. The decision to retain only eSIM also makes it difficult for this phone to be popular in many countries and regions. According to reports, Apple supplier Foxconn dismantled most of its production lines shortly after the release of the iPhone Air due to poor sales.
The last time this phone came into public view was during a "dive sale" on the eve of the Spring Festival this year. The initial price of the National Bank iPhone Air started at 7,999 yuan. After a price reduction of 2,000 yuan and a 500 yuan national subsidy, the price jumped to 5,499 yuan.
In the latest revelation, Mark Gurman writes,People familiar with the matter said that the prototype code-named V62 has now added a second rear camera to achieve ultra-wide-angle shooting. At the same time, Apple is also trying to improve battery life while retaining the existing design style.But it’s unclear whether Apple will increase the iPhone Air’s battery capacity or whether it will do so through energy efficiency improvements.
People familiar with the matter revealed that Apple sees the camera system and battery life as two important opportunities to improve the Air. The limited functionality of current single-lens cameras has become the biggest complaint among customers.
This product can also have a second generation, which also shows that Apple believes that not all customers need the performance and functions of the Pro model, and the portable and attractive-looking iPhone will still have its own audience.
According to Apple’s updated new product release schedule,If the second-generation iPhone Air is released next spring, it will be on the same schedule as the iPhone 18. This fall’s launch lineup will only include iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, and Apple’s debut foldable screen phone.
Gurman said that similar to the previous generation, iPhone Air will useA20 Pro ProcessorA variant of the chip, this chip will also be used in the iPhone 18 Pro series.
But it’s unclear whether Apple’s placing the iPhone Air alongside the basic iPhone means the latter’s pricing strategy will also try to change.
The not-so-good news is that just before going to press,Apple CEO Cook told the media that soaring memory costs make price increases "inevitable".
Cook said: "Unfortunately, raising prices is inevitable. We are doing our best to mitigate the significant price increases that have been imposed on us and have been doing our best to protect our customers from these price increases, but the situation has become unsustainable."