Hours before the premiere of the iPhone 18 Pro and the foldable iPhone Ultra, it’s all but confirmed the base iPhone 18 won’t launch before next spring. Earlier leaks claimed it will come alongside the iPhone 18e and iPhone Air 2, but a new rumor suggests things may look radically different.
iPhone Air 2 and iPhone 18 could end up being the same device
Apple may scrap the base iPhone 18 altogether and rebrand the iPhone Air 2 as its new base smartphone. This idea may not be set in stone, as leaker Early Apple said the company is “exploring the idea” in a recent post on X.
The leaker suggested that the Air 2 could be the same phone suggested by earlier leaks, but taking the iPhone 18 moniker. However, the new name will also bump the starting price of the “vanilla” iPhone to $999, with the Air brand remaining in the past.
Can the iPhone 18 really be just the iPhone Air 2 with a different name?
The iPhone Air may turn into the default Apple smartphone. | Image by PhoneArena
This is not the first time we’re hearing of the possibility for Apple to basically turn the slim design of the iPhone Air into the default concept for the iPhone. Leaker Jon Prosser has previously mentioned such a possibility, but that was discussed as a long-term development, not something that’ll happen so soon.
This won’t be the first time Apple debuts a new, more expensive design only to turn it into the default in a few years. The same happened with the iPhone X, which was the company’s first $999 phone and launched alongside the iPhone 8. A year later, the company ditched its old design and launched the more affordable iPhone XR alongside the flagship iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max.
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What would you prefer the iPhone 18 to look like?
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Early reactions to the rumor have been universally negative, with many users on Reddit pointing out all the drawbacks of the slim iPhone Air, including the single camera, smaller battery, and mono speaker. Of course, the biggest issue for many people is the $200 price difference, which is probably part of the reason the iPhone 17 is Apple’s best-selling phone, and the iPhone Air the worst-selling one.
Redditors don't think Apple will pull this move right now. | Image by Reddit (screenshot
The change is unlikely to happen so quickly
These could be the same phone next year. | Image by PhoneArena
While it would make sense for the base iPhone to look more like the Air in the future, it is unlikely for this to happen next spring. We’ve already seen various leaks pointing at the existence of the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e, as well as claims of the iPhone Air 2 from more reliable sources than this leak.
Leaker Early Apple has a relatively new account with no established track record. They shared an iPhone 18 Pro leak earlier this year, which is yet to be confirmed. This alone is a reason to take this rumor with a grain of salt.
Another reason to think this change may not happen in 2027 is the ongoing memory price crisis and the general supply chain issues plaguing the smartphone industry. In this context, Apple is more likely to stick to the design and production process that’s already developed and cheaper in an attempt to avoid excessive price increases. After all, it’s unlikely for the iPhone Air 2 to stick to the same $999 price as the first one.
With a few fixes, this is Apple’s bright future
I was extremely skeptical about the iPhone Air before I saw it in person, but once I had it in my hand, I was convinced this is the future of smartphones. However, before we arrive there, Apple needs to make it at least as good as the current base iPhone.
This requires several technical upgrades, which are not limited to the second camera and larger battery. I see the worse thermal management as a bigger issue, which may not affect that many people initially, but it’s crucial for the longevity of the phone. Once those are solved, I’m sure the iPhone Air will be the new default.
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Ilia, a tech journalist at PhoneArena, has been covering the mobile industry since 2011, with experience at outlets like Forbes Bulgaria. Passionate about smartphones, tablets, and consumer tech, he blends deep industry knowledge with a personal fascination that began with his first Nokia and Sony Ericsson devices. Originally from Bulgaria and now based in Lima, Peru, Ilia balances his tech obsessions with walking his dog, training at the gym, and slowly mastering Spanish.
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