Leaked: Second‑generation iPhone Air revealed

Leak and reaction

It has been reported that Apple is developing a second‑generation iPhone Air, Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman told IT Home (IT之家) sources. Gurman — who has a track record of early Apple scoops — says Apple rarely abandons a new iPhone after a single cycle. Will the company repeat the fate of niche experiments, or double down?

What the Air is — and why it matters

The original iPhone Air launched in September 2025 as “the lightest iPhone ever,” reportedly measuring 5.6 mm thick, weighing 165 g and running on an A19 Pro chip, with a smaller battery and no physical SIM tray. Gurman reportedly argued the Air isn’t a flawed handset: it has a striking design and a core fan base, and more importantly Apple views it as a technical foundation for future devices rather than just a new screen‑size experiment.

Sales, signals and industry context

Reports from IT Home citing IDC say Apple sharply cut production weeks after launch, with shipments about one‑third of initial expectations; a Chinese tech blogger has reportedly put cumulative Air activations under 200,000 by January, versus millions for the iPhone 17 lineup. Those figures suggest consumer demand lagged Apple’s hopes — but low early sales don’t always end a product line in Cupertino’s playbook.

Why geopolitics and supply chains matter

This decision comes as U.S.‑China tech tensions and export controls continue to shape component sourcing and manufacturing choices, adding another layer to Apple’s calculus. If Apple proceeds with a second‑generation Air, the move will signal that the company prioritizes long‑term platform and design goals over short‑term sales optics. For Western readers puzzled by China‑centric reporting: much of the market data and commentary here come through Chinese channels, and it has been reported that those local trends matter heavily to Apple's global strategy.