iPhone Air camera hardware could get its first major upgrade in spring 2027. According to MacRumors, citing Bloomberg, Apple is testing a next-generation iPhone Air with a second rear lens.
The current iPhone Air uses a single Wide camera. The reported 2027 model would keep that Wide camera and add an Ultra Wide lens, giving the thinner iPhone model a dual-camera setup for the first time. MacRumors says the device has reached an advanced testing phase and keeps the same overall design, apart from the extra rear camera.
iPhone Air camera upgrade details
The iPhone Air camera change matters because the current model trails the standard iPhone 17 in camera flexibility. The iPhone 17 has two rear cameras, while the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max use three-camera systems. Adding Ultra Wide would close the most obvious hardware gap without turning the Air into a Pro-class device.
Battery life is also expected to be a focus. Apple reportedly wants to improve endurance either by increasing battery size or by improving efficiency. Because the new model is said to keep a similar thin design, there may be limited room for a much larger battery.
The chip could help instead. The 2027 iPhone Air is expected to use Apple’s A20 chip, built on a new 2nm process. That would likely bring efficiency gains compared with current silicon, helping Apple offset the power demands of a slim chassis and a more capable camera system.
The next iPhone Air is expected to launch alongside the standard iPhone 18 in spring 2027. Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and first foldable iPhone are still expected earlier, in September 2026.
You can follow more developments in Technowatt’s Mobile coverage.