Why The iPhone Air’s Single Camera Drew Persistent Complaints

When the phone first launched, even admirers of the exceptionally thin design had issues. The first, that the battery wouldn’t last, has been largely dismissed: the iPhone Air lasts long enough between charges to assuage concerns.

But the second problem, that there is only one camera lens, has been a more persistent complaint. Even though the 48-megapixel sensor means the central area can deliver a 12-megapixel shot at the equivalent of 2x optical zoom, it’s noticeable that the more affordable iPhone 17 has two lenses.

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the second-gen iPhone Air will fix the issue, adding a second lens while otherwise maintaining the design of the current model.

Inside Apple's 'V62' Prototype: Adding An Ultrawide Lens

Almost all the technology of the iPhone Air is squeezed into the camera panel, leaving the rest of the phone’s internal space for the battery, so adding a camera would be quite an achievement.

“Current prototypes of the new model, code-named V62, add a second rear camera for ultrawide-angle photography,” Gurman reported. He said he’s been told the new model is currently in “advanced testing.”

Gurman also says that Apple wants to increase battery life. There’s precious little space for a bigger cell, I’d suggest, so it seems more likely that any more time may come from improved efficiency. Since a 2-nanometer A20 Pro chip is vaunted for the phone, that may provide the extra capability.

Super-slim phones looked like being a thing last year. Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge was out before the iPhone Air, but it seems that disappointing sales stopped Samsung from releasing another this year. Apple appears to be having another go.

Current rumors suggest that this fall will see the launch of the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and the first folding iPhone, perhaps called the iPhone Ultra.

Then, in a radical change to previous years, Apple may deliver the regular iPhone, that is the iPhone 18, alongside the iPhone 18e budget model and the iPhone Air second-generation in spring 2027.