Report: 'Virtually No Demand' for iPhone Air

Apple is "drastically" cutting production of the iPhone Air and shifting focus toward the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro models, Nikkei Asia reports.

iPhone Air
The business publication claims to have learned of a major cut to ‌iPhone Air‌ production motivated by weaker-than-expected consumer interest, nearly to "end of production levels." Despite early reports of the ‌iPhone Air‌ selling out within hours of launch in China, the overall reception has apparently been lukewarm in the region.

Combined with weak demand in other markets, sales projections have dropped significantly. Although Nikkei declined to disclose the full extent of the production cut or which suppliers will be affected, it says that the changes may be seen in Apple's supply chain in the coming months.

A new KeyBanc Capital Markets survey for investors reveals "virtually no demand for ‌iPhone Air‌, and limited willingness to pay for a foldable." Demand for other ‌iPhone 17‌ models is said to be healthy but measured, with the mix "continuing to shift toward Pro and Pro Max models." Moreover, AI features have yet to meaningfully influence buying decisions.

Last week, Japan's Mizuho Securities said that Apple will reduce iPhone Air production by one million units this year. Meanwhile, Apple apparently plans to increase production of ‌iPhone 17‌ models by two million units. A separate report claimed that Samsung has canceled plans to release a successor to its own ‌iPhone Air‌ rival, the Galaxy S25 Edge, due to low sales.

Related Roundup: iPhone Air
Tag: Nikkei
Buyer's Guide: iPhone Air (Buy Now)

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Top Rated Comments

d5aqoëp Avatar
16 weeks ago
Compromises:
1. Single speaker
2. Single camera
3. Extremely poor battery life (due to thinness)
4. Inferior C1X 5G modem compared to SD X80 in Pro series
5. Too thin to hold.
6. Busted Wifi 7 that is incapable of 320 Mhz channel width on 6Ghz.
7. No mmWave which is in Pro models.
8. No display output via USB-C to an external monitor or TV.
9. Still USB 2.0 speeds for a premium device in 2025.
10. Slower binned SOC (again due to thinness and heat concerns)

Did I miss anything?
Score: 92 Votes (Like | Disagree)
profets Avatar
16 weeks ago
I must be in the minority but I absolutely love this phone. For me, its up there with the iPhone 4 and iPhone X.
Score: 58 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CyberGene Avatar
16 weeks ago
When I first saw the iPhone Air in a store, it looked and felt amazing, and I almost swapped my iPhone 15 PM for it! But after a little thought, I realized I’m not ready to give up the awesome triple camera and stereo speakers. If they could add at least a double camera setup and stereo speakers, I would’ve bought one right away!
Score: 57 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Apple-achian Avatar
16 weeks ago
It's an innovation tax. Future phones will benefit heavily from the R&D invested into it.
Score: 39 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Slo Pesci Avatar
16 weeks ago
Beautiful phone but too half baked. Thought about getting it but one speaker in a $1450 CAD phone should be criminal.
Score: 37 Votes (Like | Disagree)
xraydoc Avatar
16 weeks ago

Compromises:
1. Single speaker
2. Single camera
3. Extremely poor battery life (due to thinness)
4. Inferior C1X 5G modem compared to SD X80 in Pro series
5. Too thin to hold.
6. Busted Wifi 7 that is incapable of 320 Mhz channel width on 6Ghz.

Did I miss anything?
Except the battery life isn’t poor. It’s better than my 15 Pro it replaced (even when new) and equal to the 16 Pro. And nearly equal to the iPhone 17. It’s just not as long as the 17 Pro.

The wifi 7 issue isn’t unique to the Air, though. Any Apple devices with the same N1 chip will have that limitation.

Not sure too thin to hold is a thing (not for me), but disappears in pocket like no other iPhone has.

The modem is fast — just missing mm wave which only matters in select locations.

I think the main issue with the Air is price. Too close to the Pro’s price.

Edit: Very interesting battery test:
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)