Apple iPhone Air 2 To Have Ultra-Thin Face ID To Make Room for Dual Cameras

Highlights

• Apple iPhone Air 2 may feature an ultra-thin Face ID module, freeing space to add a dual-camera setup.
• Redesign efforts focus on balancing thinness and functionality with reports suggesting Apple is prioritising lightweight design.
• The compact Face ID could influence foldable iPhones and possibly MacBooks.

Rumours around iPhone Air 2 have been circulating alongside reports of the first-gen iPhone Air not doing so well sales-wise. Latest word says Apple is reportedly developing a significantly thinner Face ID hardware module to reduce the space taken up by its facial authentication system in the iPhone Air. It comes from a well-known leaker on China’s Weibo platform.

iPhone Air 2 – Ultra-Thin Face ID Module in Development

As per leaker Instant Digital on Weibo, Apple has asked suppliers to develop an “ultra-thin” Face ID component. This redesigned module is said to free up internal space, allowing Apple to add an ultra-wide-angle camera alongside the existing single main camera on the iPhone Air.

The move is believed to be part of Apple’s efforts to address criticism around the iPhone Air’s hardware compromises. While the device has been praised for its design, some users have raised concerns about limitations, especially considering its $999 price tag.

Dual Camera Redesign Could Address Hardware Trade-Offs

Currently, multiple components are packed into the plateau area of the iPhone Air to maximise space for the battery. Adding a second camera would likely require a major internal redesign. Chinese leaker Digital Chat Station had previously claimed in November that Apple was prioritising an ultra-thin and lightweight design, potentially to enable such hardware changes.

Soon after, a report from The Information suggested that Apple was indeed working on adding a second camera to the iPhone Air, lending further credibility to the claims.

Apple’s Foldable iPhone Plans

Meanwhile, the first foldable iPhone is expected to launch later this year. Apple has reportedly opted to integrate Touch ID into the side button instead of using Face ID. This decision is said to be driven by the need to keep the foldable device as thin as possible.

If Apple succeeds in shrinking the TrueDepth camera system, a future foldable iPhone model could potentially switch back to Face ID. A more compact Face ID setup could also influence other products in Apple’s lineup.

The same leaker speculates that an ultra-thin Face ID module might eventually be used in MacBooks. However, there are currently no active rumours suggesting Apple is working on this.

Back in 2022, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that Apple had tested Face ID for the iMac. Around the same time, an Apple marketing employee publicly stated that Touch ID is more convenient because the button is close to the user’s hands. That said, this does not completely rule out the possibility of Face ID arriving on Macs in the future.

As for launch, the second-generation iPhone Air is not expected to launch until next year.

FAQs

Q1. What major hardware change is Apple planning for the iPhone Air 2?

Answer. Apple is reportedly developing an ultra-thin Face ID module to free up space for a dual-camera setup.

Q2. Why is Apple redesigning the Face ID system in the iPhone Air 2?

Answer. The redesign aims to address criticism of hardware compromises in the first-gen iPhone Air, which faced concerns despite its $999 price tag.

Q3. When is the iPhone Air 2 expected to launch?

Answer. The second-generation iPhone Air is not expected until next year, following the first-gen model’s mixed reception.

Also Read –

https://www.mymobileindia.com/iphone-18-series-and-iphone-air-2-display-sizes-leak-pro-models-tipped-to-get-under-display-face-id/

https://www.mymobileindia.com/iphone-air-2-could-launch-in-fall-2026-as-apple-revisits-its-ultra-thin-iphone-plans/