According to Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the matter, Apple is preparing a successor to the iPhone Air, internally codenamed V62.

Current prototypes reportedly include a second rear camera dedicated to ultra-wide photography. Sources said the device has already entered an advanced stage of testing within Apple's development program.

While the overall design is expected to remain largely unchanged, Apple is said to be working on extending battery life - one of the most common criticisms of the first-generation model. It remains unclear whether the improvement will come from a larger battery or greater power efficiency.

The original iPhone Air, introduced in September 2025, formed part of Apple's effort to diversify its approximately USD210 billion iPhone business through new form factors and product categories.

Bloomberg reported that Apple is also preparing to unveil its first foldable smartphone later this year and is developing a special 20th-anniversary iPhone for release in 2027, featuring a curved edge-to-edge display.

Launching the next iPhone Air in spring 2027 would create an approximately 18-month gap between generations. However, both the release timeline and hardware specifications could still change before the product reaches market.

Apple declined to comment on the report.

The company is also reportedly overhauling its broader iPhone release strategy.

Traditionally, Apple unveils its entire flagship iPhone lineup each September. Under the new approach, this year's autumn launch is expected to focus exclusively on premium models, including the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and a new foldable device.

Six months later, Apple is expected to introduce the standard iPhone 18 alongside the updated Air model.

The strategy would continue into 2027, when Apple is expected to unveil two versions of its 20th-anniversary iPhone and a second-generation foldable device during the autumn launch cycle.

The updated iPhone Air is expected to feature the A20 Pro processor, the same chip family anticipated for Apple's flagship devices launching later this year.

According to Bloomberg, Apple has identified camera performance and battery life as the two highest-priority areas for improvement. Sources said limitations associated with the current model's single-camera setup have been among the most frequent customer complaints.

Priced at USD999, the existing iPhone Air offers one of the thinnest designs in the smartphone industry. However, achieving such a slim profile has required compromises that make it difficult to incorporate some of the technologies available in Apple's Pro models.

Despite those trade-offs, the Air lineup continues to serve an important role within Apple's portfolio. Many consumers prioritize design and portability over advanced professional-grade features, giving the ultra-thin model a distinct place in the market.

The revised release schedule could also help Apple distribute revenue more evenly throughout the year while improving its ability to compete with rivals such as Samsung, which typically launches major smartphone models at multiple points during the annual product cycle.

Du Lam