Updated

Updated · 9to5Mac · Jun 25

Apple Green-Lights iPhone Ultra 2, Leaves iPhone Air 3 Undecided as September Ultra Nears

Updated

Updated · 9to5Mac · Jun 25

Apple Green-Lights iPhone Ultra 2, Leaves iPhone Air 3 Undecided as September Ultra Nears

Q: As Apple pushes into expensive foldables, is the popular and thinner iPhone Air line facing an uncertain future?

No. The available evidence suggests Apple is expanding its premium iPhone strategy, not abandoning the thinner Air line. The foldable program is clearly moving ahead. Multiple reports say Apple has approved a second-generation foldable for a likely Fall 2027 launch, following a first model expected in 2026. That device is shaping up as a very high-end product, with a Samsung-supplied 7.8-inch foldable OLED panel and a price around $1,999 for the first generation. It is aimed at the top of the market, not the mainstream. By contrast, the Air line still appears to have a place in Apple’s roadmap. The iPhone Air 2 is reportedly planned for Spring 2027, with upgrades focused on practical weaknesses in the current model, including a second rear camera and better battery life. That points to continued investment in the thin-and-light concept rather than a quiet phaseout. What is less certain is the Air line beyond that. Digital Chat Station says the iPhone Air 3 has not yet reached the prototype stage and may depend on how well the Air 2 sells. That suggests Apple is testing whether there is enough long-term demand for an ultra-thin iPhone as foldables and anniversary models draw more attention. For now, the stronger reading is that Apple sees the two lines serving different buyers: foldables for customers willing to pay for novelty and a larger screen, and Air models for those who prioritize slim design, lower weight and a lower price than an Ultra-class device.

3 articles · Updated · 9to5Mac · Jun 25

Apple has reportedly approved development of a second-generation foldable iPhone Ultra 2, even before the first Ultra is expected to debut.
Digital Chat Station said the Ultra 2 will likely reuse this year's display, while recent reports now point to the first-generation Ultra launching with the iPhone 18 Pro in September.
Apple has not yet decided whether to proceed with an iPhone Air 3, with the choice apparently hinging on how the upcoming iPhone Air 2 sells.
The Air 2 is expected to add a second rear camera—an ultrawide lens—while the broader lineup decision suggests Apple is weighing demand before locking in future models.