Despite reports of the iPhone Air’s less-than spectacular sales numbers, a well-known leaker claims Apple will release a second-generation of the ultra-slim smartphone. The leaker also indicates there will be no exterior design changes for the iPhone 18.
In a recent post, the leaker “Fixed Focus Digital” claimed that Apple still plans to release a second-generation iPhone Air model:
The Air 2 will proceed with its standard product iteration cycle; no matter how abysmal the sales turn out to be, Apple will grit its teeth and push through with at least two generations…
In another post on Weibo, the leaker said that the standard iPhone 18 will not have substantial changes to its design, jibing with other rumors that the upcoming handset would be an incremental upgrade:
The standard model of the iPhone 18 will see virtually no changes to its exterior design—aside from a potential minor tweak to its dimensions.
Soon after the September launch of the iPhone Air, we began seeing reports of poor sales and cut in manufacturing. Apple’s supply chain has reportedly scaled back both shipments and production of the slim iPhone, with Apple supplier Foxconn dismantling all but one and a half of its production lines for the Air, with all production expected to be halted at the end of the month. Apple’s other supplier, Luxshare, halted production at the end of October.
In mid-October, we reported that Japan’s Mizuho Securities had said Apple was planning to slow production of the ultra-slim iPhone Air, due to lower-than-expected sales.
The iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 14 Plus, and iPhone 15 Plus all suffered similarly slow sales and saw only two generations each.
Apple is now reportedly considering a redesign of the iPhone Air, adding a second rear camera to address one of the main criticisms of the first model. Reports have suggested the second camera could be a 48-megapixel Fusion Ultra Wide lens. Apple is also said to be working on reducing the weight of the Air, adding vapor chamber cooling, and improving the battery capacity. It is also reportedly working a thinner Face ID module, and will add the A20 and C2 chips.
The iPhone 18 is expected to be an incremental update, 12GB memory, as well as a 24-megapixel front-facing camera and a simplified Camera Control button. It is also expected to use Apple’s A20 and C2 chips.
