"Kuo argues the weak sales show that Apple's standard and Pro models already satisfy most high-end buyers, leaving little appetite for a thinner phone that trims features along with weight. Analysts from Japan's Mizuho Securities are said to have come to a similar conclusion, while Taiwan's Nikkei Asia reports that Apple has cut production of the iPhone Air to nearly "end of production" levels after weaker-than-expected demand."
"Billed as the thinnest handset Apple has ever made - at just 5.6mm thick - it was pegged as a replacement for Apple's short-lived Plus model. Despite its titanium frame and $999 price tag, the Air's appeal appears to have been mostly cosmetic. Even iFixit, which gave the phone a respectable repairability score of 7 out of 10, noted that "thinner often means flimsier," and that the iPhone Air was more a marvel of smartphone engineering than a meaningful upgrade for consumers."
Apple's iPhone Air has experienced much weaker-than-expected sales, prompting suppliers to cut production capacity by more than 80 percent through early 2026 and discontinue some components before year-end. Weak demand reflects that standard and Pro iPhone models satisfy most high-end buyers, reducing appetite for a thinner handset that trims features to save weight. The iPhone Air launched in the iPhone 17 lineup at 5.6mm thickness with a titanium frame and a $999 price, and repairability analysis warned that thinner designs can feel flimsier. Market surveys indicated virtually no demand for the device. An 18-inch foldable iPad faces engineering struggles with weight and complexity, likely pushing a planned 2028 launch into 2029 or later amid soaring costs.
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