Apple’s next ultra-thin smartphone is beginning to take shape through a fresh wave of supply-chain and analyst leaks, pointing to a meaningful battery upgrade, a new processor, and a refined camera system for the device widely referred to as the iPhone Air 2.
Larger battery paired with a 2nm processor
According to a Weibo post by the leaker Digital Chat Station, the upcoming model will house a battery exceeding 3,500mAh, representing a step up from the 3,149mAh cell found in the current iPhone Air. The same source indicates the handset will feature a 6.55-inch LTPO OLED panel with ProMotion refresh-rate support, a dual 48-megapixel rear camera array, and Apple’s next-generation A20 Pro chip manufactured on a 2-nanometer process. The choice of an A20 Pro processor effectively contradicts earlier rumors that suggested Apple would opt for a lower-tier chip to manage costs.
Extended runtime is expected to come from more than just added battery capacity. The 2nm A20 Pro silicon is projected to be more power-efficient than the current A19 Pro, while iOS 27 is said to introduce a revised CPU scheduler designed to reduce system load. Additionally, Apple plans to transition the handset to its in-house C2 5G modem, building on the C1X already deployed in the iPhone Air, which promises improved signal transmission and lower power consumption.
Design, materials, and a smaller Dynamic Island
Separately, YouTuber John Prosser published renders, color options, and specifications based on his own sourcing. The visuals show a device with two rear cameras, aligning with an earlier report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, and describe a chassis that remains 5.6 millimeters thick despite accommodating the larger battery, secondary lens, and new chip. Prosser noted that Apple will retain a titanium alloy body for the iPhone Air 2, diverging from the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, which are expected to adopt a different material.
The design may also bring a smaller Face ID camera module, allowing the Dynamic Island to shrink and creating space for the second rear lens. Prosser added that a new Lavender color will replace the current Sky Blue, joining Space Black, Cloud White, and Light Gold in the lineup.
A potential long-term shift in the iPhone roadmap
Looking further ahead, Prosser raised the possibility that Apple could eventually replace its standard iPhone range with a thinner design derived from the iPhone Air, leaving the Pro models and a foldable iPhone Ultra as the remaining offerings. He cautioned that such a realignment would not occur before 2028 at the earliest and stressed that the scenario remains speculative.
The iPhone Air 2 is expected to launch in early 2027 alongside the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e. Apple has not commented on any of the specifications mentioned in either report.
Source: weibo.com