Apple Rumor Roundup: Second-Gen iPhone Air Coming This Fall, Plus Early Progress on the iPhone 17e

If you thought Apple was slowing down after a quieter reception for the first iPhone Air, think again. New rumors suggest the company is moving forward with a second-generation model this fall—despite earlier reports hinting at delays or even a full pause.

Here’s what the latest leaks are saying and what it could mean for Apple’s 2026 iPhone lineup.

iPhone Air 2: Still Happening — And Coming Sooner Than Expected

A new post on Weibo from leaker Fixed Focus Digital claims that Apple is still set to unveil the next iPhone Air at its annual fall event. This contradicts a recent report from The Information, which suggested the model had been pushed back to 2027.

According to that earlier report, Apple had been considering some major changes to the device’s design, including:

• A redesigned chassis
• A dual-camera setup
• A larger battery
• And even vapor-chamber cooling similar to what’s used in higher-end models

These upgrades were reportedly being evaluated to help boost the appeal of the Air line after a softer-than-expected debut. Still, the newest leak indicates Apple has not shelved the slim design—in fact, it appears to be moving ahead with it.

iPhone Air Sales: Not Ideal, but Not a Deal-Breaker

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo recently reported that demand for the current iPhone Air has declined significantly, leading suppliers to reduce production. Under normal circumstances, that might hint at a product line on its way out.

But this new information suggests the opposite. Apple seems committed to refining the concept rather than abandoning it, which could mean the second-generation Air will receive the improvements customers wanted the first time around.

The iPhone 17e Is Already in Mass Production

Alongside the Air update, there’s another interesting development: the iPhone 17e has reportedly entered mass production ahead of its planned spring 2026 release.

If accurate, this model may bring one of the most notable upgrades Apple has ever delivered to its entry-level lineup. Expected changes include:

• Replacing the notch with the Dynamic Island
• Using the A19 chip to support Apple Intelligence features
• Featuring a new OLED display from BOE with slimmer bezels

This could make the 17e one of the strongest value-focused iPhones in the lineup.

What This Means for Apple Fans

The next year and a half may bring some of Apple’s biggest lineup changes in years. The iPhone Air appears to be evolving, not disappearing, and the entry-level models are getting more premium features than ever before.

Of course, none of this is official until Apple steps on stage and confirms it. But if the rumors hold true, both the fall event and Apple’s 2026 lineup could be far more exciting than expected.