Apple Said to Cut iPhone Air Production Amid Underwhelming Sales

[MacRumors]

Apple plans to cut production of the iPhone Air amid underwhelming sales performance, Japan's Mizuho Securities believes (via The Elec).

The Japanese investment banking and securities firm claims that the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are seeing higher sales than their predecessors during the same period last year, while the standard iPhone 17 is a major success, performing significantly better than the iPhone 16.

The iPhone Air is apparently the outlier; Apple plans to reduce production by one million units this year. Meanwhile, Apple plans to increase production of all other models by two million units. The overall production forecast of the iPhone 17 series this year has also been increased from 88 million units to 94 million units for the start of 2026.

A separate report earlier today claimed that Samsung has canceled plans to release a successor to its own iPhone Air rival, the Galaxy S25 Edge, due to low sales. Nevertheless, the iPhone Air reportedly sold out within hours in China, despite lower than expected sales in western countries last month.

The same report from Mizuho Securities today revealed details about Apple's first foldable iPhone and other future devices.


Article Link: Apple Said to Cut iPhone Air Production Amid Underwhelming Sales

 

[abatabia]

It was a nice try but they really need to just cut that line. Mini, plus, now this. All sales bombs? Just do regular and pro max. That’s all that is needed.

 

[zachz]

They should’ve made an Air mini… or an Air Pro mini to make the naming and lineup even more fun and confusing. But really, a mini of any sort would’ve been nice instead of another big phone that is small in the wrong way

 

[canadianreader]

But it's sold out in China

 

[CWallace]

Yes, Apple is cutting the Air's production early this year, but in years past they have cut the production of the base iPhone early or the Plus early. This is not something never before seen. It happens every year, just with a different model.

When the lineup stays static, Apple has a pretty solid idea of what these initial production runs should be per model. When they throw in a new model (Mini, Plus, Air) they have to do a bit of prognostication and it is not surprising they often guess too high for this new model and so they need to reduce it early once they have a clearer idea of initial sales.

In early 2026, Apple will announce cuts to the production run of the other iPhone models just as they do every year. And the headlines will again hyperventilate how this is some sign that the iPhone 17 is a flop just as they did when this happened to the iPhone 16. And iPhone 15. And iPhone 14. And...

Apple's heaviest production run is prior to release to meet the initial demand and then they reduce it to meet the (lower) sustained sales volume over the rest of the year until they ramp up again for the next model in the Summer.

This has been the way for like a decade. Why the media keep acting like it is unique every year is beyond me.

 

[CharlesShaw]

The people have voted and their choice is clear. Four more years of the same old iPhone!

 

[tyranne201]

another flop like mini.

people want power, not slim devices.

thin devices are too fragile.

 

[jayducharme]

With the smaller battery, single camera and higher price, the Air might have had too many compromises for most people. Maybe this will dampen the craze for thinner devices.

thin devices are too fragile.

It had other flaws, but fragility wasn't one of them.

 

[bookcase]

Don't really care. I love my Air.

 

[Dulcimer]

Doesn’t help that they didn’t market the thing at all. If I see any iPhone ads, it’s all Pro with that flashy new orange color.

 

[mozumder]

Let that be a lesson to all of us! I don't know what, but let that be a lesson.

 

[RobertoDLV]

I want another Mini "flop" please. I may have to update mine in the next few years.

 

[dmk1974]

For $200 more than the base 17, the Air gets you only 6.4% more screen area, saves only 12 grams, and does add the "pro" cpu (noticeable?). But weaker battery (major negative), no 0.5x camera, lesser speaker. IMO, should only be maybe $50 more than the base 17.

And not that thin:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-said-to-cut-iphone-air-production-amid-underwhelming-sales.2469305/page-4?post=34229900#post-34229900

 

[CalMin]

Still rocking a 15 Pro Max here, but this is interesting - Of all the 2026 iPhones, the Air is the only one I'm interested in.

I suppose what's stopping me is the camera system. If they could get the Pro cameras into the Air, then I'd be all over that.

 

[cartman13]

It served its purpose without needing any sales--it was basically a test run of shrinking the depth of an iPhone in preparation for the fold. Think of it as the iPhone half-fold.

 

[Royksöpp]

Apple priced it too high. Customers aren’t as naïve as they think. People today are far more knowledgeable about features and value. Just look at how well the standard iPhone 17 is selling compared to the 16 from last year.

 

[Mactech20]

They should’ve made an Air mini… or an Air Pro mini to make the naming and lineup even more fun and confusing. But really, a mini of any sort would’ve been nice instead of another big phone that is small in the wrong way

Again, somehow the mini gets brought up in every forum involving a phone.

 

[FriednTested]

I feel this is just a real world test run for the foldable coming. The foldable could very well be 2 airs with a hinge.

 

[uacd]

Wait wait wait, but it was “selling out” in China! I have read this news article just today🙂

Don’t wanna sound toxic but they could have put a better battery inside and made a smaller size. Too gigantic for my hands, despite the nice weight

 

[ThisIsMike]

Successful or not, this was a stepping stone to the folding phone, which will be next. Ironically, if the air is discontinued, the line up becomes iPhone, iPhone Pro, iPhone Max, and iPhone Fold, which means the average price of an iPhone goes up even more. Another win for Apple.🍏💰

 

[Innovati0n]

Samsung ended their thin phone business so it's not just Apple noticing this. The problem with the thin as possible phone is that you're giving up features while still spending top dollar. And if you use a case which many people do, the thin part becomes irrelevant too.

 

[Mactech20]

Apple priced it too high. Customers aren’t as naïve as they think. People today are far more knowledgeable about features and value. Just look at how well the standard iPhone 17 is selling compared to the 16 from last year.

Yeah I think this is really the thing here. It's not priced competitively when any real "Pro" user is going to get the Pro. Anyone who doesn't get the pro model will just get the regular 17, especially now that it offers 120hz. There aren't many real advantages over the Air vs the 17 other than the chip. Most people would rather save the $200, have a better camera, better battery and pack on a little extra weight. Air is truly a niche device.

 

[Innovati0n]

thin devices are too fragile.

The Air is very durable.

 

[mlayer]

Apple hasn't even promoted the Air. They've promoted the crap out of the Pro and Pro Max, though.

 

[icemantx]

Once someone puts a case on the Air, it is not so thin anymore. Sure it would still be thinner than any other iPhone with a case, but not thin enough to give up important features such as multiple cameras, stereo speakers and longer battery life. The trade-offs to not justify the design for a majority of iPhone buyers. It is a cool iPhone for sure, but it is another niche iPhone.