📱 Apple’s upcoming iPhone Air 2 continues to make progress towards its release
🏭 The phone has reportedly entered an important phase in production
⚙️ The device will deliver key upgrades over the current Air
📆 It’s expected to land sometime in early 2027 alongside the iPhone 18
Apple is gearing up to launch a next-generation iPhone Air next year, and rumor has it that it’s reached an important phase during production. Leaker Sunny on X claims that the phone has entered what’s called EVT, which stands for Engineering Validation and Testing. It’s the first step in moving on from a proof of concept to a product you actually manufacture, which indicates the iPhone Air 2 release date seems to be in the near future.
The next iPhone Air has been in the rumor mill for quite some time. It’s expected to debut sometime in early 2027, likely in the spring. Apple is said to release it alongside the base iPhone 18 and the budget-friendly iPhone 18e.
It’s said to come with a slew of upgrades over the original iPhone Air, which was released in September of 2025. The device will sport a familiar design that’s still impossibly thin and light, with one big external change: a secondary ultra-wide camera next to the primary camera.
Under the hood, Apple is rumored to include the A20 Pro chip (the same one found in the iPhone Duo and iPhone 18 Pro), a bigger battery, and new chips for improved wireless connectivity. The screen size is expected to remain the same at 6.5 inches, while a new purple color could wind up taking the place of blue in Apple’s lineup.
There was a rumor nearly two months ago that the iPhone Air 2 will replace the iPhone 18 in Apple’s lineup, although it’s unclear if that’ll actually happen. We haven’t heard anything beyond the initial report about it, so continue taking it with a grain of salt.
We’ll be tracking more iPhone Air 2 rumors until Apple decides to announce the phone next year. Stay tuned.
Max Buondonno is an editor at The Shortcut and co-host of The Shortcut Live. He’s been reporting on the latest consumer technology since 2015, with his work featured on CNN Underscored, ZDNET, How-To Geek, XDA, TheStreet, and more. Follow him on X @LegendaryScoop and Instagram @LegendaryScoop.