The second iteration of iPhone Air — which Apple launched in September 2025 — is still some distance away, but already there are rumours around what could possibly be housed inside the device.
Apple is reportedly working on a significantly slimmer Face ID system to minimise the internal space occupied by its facial recognition technology in the iPhone Air. A source on China’s Weibo platform — Instant Digital — has indicated that Apple has asked suppliers for an “ultra-thin” Face ID module. This smaller component would free up room to include an additional ultrawide rear camera alongside the current single main lens.
The addition of a second rear camera is viewed as a potential solution to criticisms of the iPhone Air. While praised for its sleek design, the device has faced complaints about hardware trade-offs — such as its single-camera setup — for its $999 starting price. The iPhone Air 2 might change that.
To achieve the current thin profile, the iPhone Air consolidates various components (including Face ID elements) into a raised rear “plateau” area, which helps preserve battery capacity. Fitting an extra camera would likely require substantial internal redesigns.
Earlier reports from Chinese leaker Digital Chat Station (in November) and The Information highlighted Apple’s emphasis on extreme thinness and lightness, along with confirmation of a second camera in development. The latest leak also speculated that this ultra-thin Face ID hardware might one day appear in MacBooks, though no current credible reports support active development for Macs.
Apple is also expected to debut its first foldable, the purported iPhone Fold, later this year. The tech major has reportedly opted for Touch ID embedded in the side button instead of Face ID, prioritising maximum slimness. A more compact TrueDepth system could also potentially enable Face ID on future foldable models.
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