Apple's second-generation iPhone Air could address one of the original model's biggest compromises, if a supply chain leak is anything to go by.
According to the oft-accurate Weibo account "Digital Chat Station," Apple is considering adding a second rear camera to its next ultra-thin iPhone for a dual-lens setup. The configuration would add a 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide camera alongside the existing 48MP Fusion Main camera, likely matching the base iPhone 17's capabilities.
The current iPhone Air features only a single 48MP camera. Though it can capture solid images and offers a decent 2x digital zoom, it lacks the Ultra Wide lens and Telephoto lens found on pricier models. That means no spatial videos or photos, and no macro photography either. The only other iPhone in Apple's lineup with a single rear camera is the budget iPhone 16e.
According to the leaker, the second-generation device will keep the distinctive horizontal camera plateau, suggesting the second lens will sit alongside the existing one rather than in an iPhone 17-style vertical arrangement. Fitting another camera into this area won't be simple, however – multiple parts and components are housed in the plateau to maximize battery space, so Apple would need to significantly redesign the internals to maintain the device's ultra-thin profile.
Industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo expects the second-generation iPhone Air to launch in late 2026 alongside the iPhone 18 Pro lineup and Apple's first foldable iPhone. However, there have been multiple reports suggesting the iPhone Air has failed to catch on with consumers and Apple has scaled down production capacity as a result.
Apple competitor Samsung is apparently seeing the same response to its super thin smartphone, the Galaxy S25 Edge, with reports suggesting that Samsung canceled development of a next-generation model after disappointing sales.
Apple's second-generation ultra-thin device is apparently already in production development, but whether an additional camera alone can boost the iPhone Air's sales remains to be seen.
