Of Course It Is — Rumour Says iPhone Air’s Getting a Second Camera

Apple is reportedly planning to add a second rear camera to the next-generation iPhone Air, according to a new leak from a Weibo-based source with ties to Apple’s supply chain (via MacRumors).

The leaker, who goes by “Digital Chat Station,” claims that Apple is evaluating a dual-camera setup for the 2026 iPhone Air, which would include a 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide camera alongside the existing 48MP Fusion Main lens. The configuration would mirror that of the base iPhone 17 but retain the iPhone Air’s unique horizontal camera plateau instead of adopting a vertical layout.

That design choice could make the second-generation iPhone Air visually distinct from Apple’s mainline iPhone lineup. The plateau houses several key internal components to make room for the battery, so Apple may need to rethink the device’s internal structure to accommodate a second lens while maintaining the model’s ultra-thin and lightweight profile.

According to well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple plans to launch the second-generation iPhone Air in the second half of 2026 alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the company’s first foldable iPhone (which leaks have described as two iPhone Airs joined at the sides). Meanwhile, the base iPhone 18 supposedly won’t come out until spring 2027. A third iPhone Air, featuring a larger display, is also expected in 2027.

However, the future of the iPhone Air line may depend on how well Apple can improve its market performance. The first-generation model reportedly hasn’t sold well outside China, and Apple is said to have instructed suppliers to cut output to near end-of-production levels just weeks after launch.

Digital Chat Station has a decent track record with Apple leaks, having accurately predicted details about the iPhone 15’s smaller camera sensor and the iPhone 12’s display design in previous years. If this latest claim proves accurate, the iPhone Air could evolve into a more capable mid-tier iPhone option — one that offers an innovative, ultra-thin design without compromising camera versatility.