Apple is rumored to be considering a shift in its entry-level iPhone lineup, with the iPhone Air 2 potentially replacing the expected iPhone 18 as the $999 starting model when more affordable iPhones launch in spring 2027.
The claim is attributed to the X account “Early Apple,” which says Apple is “exploring the idea” of rebranding the Air 2 to take over the iPhone 18 name and price rather than launching as a separate device. MacRumors notes the account is relatively new and its origin is unclear, so the information is treated as speculative. AppleInsider similarly frames the idea as something that could happen later, but “not soon,” given how current rumor expectations describe multiple models coming together.
Across the reporting, the main context is that earlier leaks have consistently pointed to three distinct devices—iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, and iPhone Air 2—launching alongside iPhone 18 Pro models, with Apple’s first foldable iPhone arriving later this month. The outlets differ mainly in emphasis: MacRumors discusses how design convergence over time could make a merger more plausible, while AppleInsider highlights that a change like this is unlikely for the next cycle.
