iPhone 17 Air: thin, light, and finally a true dual-camera setup

The much-discussed iPhone Air looks set to continue, with a successor reportedly arriving next year under Apple’s usual “normal iteration” cadence. That phrasing matters: it suggests Apple will refine the concept rather than reinvent it, keeping the Air’s signature thin-and-light chassis while addressing the most persistent criticism of the current model – its lonely rear camera.

According to a new leak shared by tipster Digital Chat Station, the next iPhone Air (informally dubbed the iPhone 17 Air) is expected to retain a 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR display with Face ID, but the back will see a meaningful upgrade: a second lens. Apple is now tipped to pair the 48MP main camera with a 48MP ultrawide, turning the Air into a more versatile shooter without straying from its minimalist design ethos.

Why the second camera matters

The current Air leans on a high-resolution primary sensor to simulate multiple focal lengths – Apple even markets it as “multiple cameras in one.” That allows a handy 2x crop from the 48MP main, but there’s no credible way to mimic the dramatic perspective of an ultrawide. An actual ultrawide lens brings real advantages: broader landscapes, tighter indoor shots, and distinctive creative framing. With 48MP on both sensors, Apple could leverage pixel binning for cleaner low-light photos and sharper detail, narrowing the gap with more expensive models while keeping the Air’s weight in check.

Horizontal lenses, new possibilities

One notable twist in the leak is the horizontal camera layout – unlike the vertical stack rumored for the standard iPhone 17. That choice isn’t just cosmetic. Apple recently shifted some models to a vertical arrangement to enable spatial video, which relies on stereo separation between lenses. If the Air goes horizontal, the big question is whether Apple can still offer spatial capture or if the Air will prioritize thinness and symmetry over that feature. Until Apple clarifies, spatial video on the next Air remains an open question.

Specs we expect (and what’s still unclear)

• Display: 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR, Face ID.
• Cameras: 48MP main + 48MP ultrawide (new), 2x in-sensor crop likely remains for quick tele framing.
• Design: Thin and light, with a horizontal dual-camera island.

Other details – chipset branding, battery size, and storage tiers – weren’t part of this leak. What seems consistent is Apple’s strategy: keep the Air focused on portability and clean design, while eliminating the compromise that most frustrated buyers.

Where it fits in Apple’s lineup

The Air line targets users who want Apple’s latest display and silicon in a sleek body without the full Pro tax. Adding a high-resolution ultrawide makes it a stronger everyday phone for travelers, students, and creators who constantly bounce between tight interiors and expansive outdoor scenes. If pricing and availability follow Apple’s typical yearly rhythm, the next Air should arrive alongside the broader iPhone refresh, giving shoppers a legitimately lighter iPhone that no longer feels light on cameras.

Bottom line: the iPhone 17 Air rumor points to a practical evolution – same featherweight feel, but with the ultrawide freedom owners have been asking for.