Apple's iPhone Air Experiment Fails as Supply Chain Cuts Production by 80%

[delsoul]

I wish Apple would sue MKBHD for constantly pushing a misleading “pro user” perspective. It would teach him a lesson. I used to like him. These days he just preaches about how everyone should have a brick-thick phone with seven cameras just because he needs one.

Someone really needs to start a channel that reviews these devices from a true everyday user’s perspective. Not from a YouTuber’s or content creator’s point of view. People like MKBHD and others genuinely can’t see beyond their own use case.

I’m genuinely confused how he has like 10 different YT channels alone with millions of followers on each, not even including his other ventures (car reviews, etc). I’ve watched before and didn’t find any appeal to him at all to warrant those sort of subscriber and viewer numbers. I agree with everything you’ve said about him

 

[iphoneair owner]

iPhone Air demand failed to meet Apple's expectations and the company's supply chain is scaling back shipments and production, reports Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Suppliers are expected to reduce capacity by more than 80 percent between now and the first quarter of 2026, and some components with longer lead times will be discontinued by the end of 2025.

According to Kuo, the iPhone Air's poor performance suggests that the iPhone 17 and 17 Pro models already "cover the majority of high-end user demand," so there is little room for new market segments.

There have been multiple reports suggesting the iPhone Air has failed to catch on with consumers. Last week, Japan's Mizuho Securities said that Apple would reduce iPhone Air production by a million units because of underwhelming sales performance, and earlier today, Nikkei said that there is "virtually no demand" for the iPhone Air, and that Apple would "drastically" cut production.

Apple competitor Samsung is apparently seeing the same response to its super thin smartphone, the Galaxy S25 Edge. Reports suggest that Samsung canceled development of a next-generation model after disappointing sales.

Apple's standard iPhone and Pro iPhone models have consistently performed well, but it has struggled with its fourth wildcard spot in the iPhone lineup. Apple experimented with a smaller 5.4-inch iPhone mini that did not sell well, and then moved to a larger iPhone Plus that served as a more affordable version of the large-sized Pro Max. That too failed, leading Apple to try a 5.6mm build that compromised on features for a lightweight and thin design.

We could get yet another new form factor as soon as 2026, with rumors suggesting that Apple will debut a foldable iPhone as part of the iPhone 18 lineup.

Article Link: Apple's iPhone Air Experiment Fails as Supply Chain Cuts Production by 80%

It could have been made more attractive if more colour options were available only black and 2 off white make it restrictive.

 

[johnsawyercjs]

What do you think is the reason for this? Is there a dedicated chip for video output that the Air doesn’t have? Or is it because the Air has one less GPU core?

It's not because the Air has one less GPU core, but rather the video output circuitry wasn't felt necessary for the needs of the Air's target audience, thus saving some manufacturing cost, and maybe the thinner battery wasn't considered up to the task too, since some estimates place the extra battery drain during active external display use, with iPhones equipped with the circuitry, to be about 10–20% faster. There may have been space and heating constraints too, in the new thin form factor.

 

[Danie_Morrow]

I’m genuinely confused how he has like 10 different YT channels alone with millions of followers on each, not even including his other ventures (car reviews, etc). I’ve watched before and didn’t find any appeal to him at all to warrant those sort of subscriber and viewer numbers. I agree with everything you’ve said about him

I am very disappointed with him. Sure, his videos are top notch in terms of editing and presentation, but the content has been questionable in recent months. For example, the video about the Xiaomi 17 Pro being better than the iPhone 17 Pro in every way, even though there wasn't a single valid test.

 

[DougiePhresh]

We need whole day battery life not thinner phone. Almost everyone use phone cases which it counter all the effort of making phone thinner

Why do you need “whole day battery life?” Throughout my entire day I am probably no more than 6’ away from a power outlet. Who are all of these people backpacking the wilderness who need their phones to last all day without ever being plugged in?

 

[dantay]

If they made a gen 2 Air with a silicon carbide battery so it had 4800mah and the same battery life as a Pro Max with 2 cameras and 2 speakers for the same price and kept the basic design the same with some stronger colour choices I think this would sell.

 

[i-Liam]

Most of us knew this would be a complete flop.

Most people want the best iPhone or the best value iPhone, but the iPhone air is neither.

 

[Alameda]

Tomorrow’s rare collectors item

 

[Bigbuddy1]

The idiotic “influencers” killed the product before it was given a chance.

They said it would break easily (it’s the most durable iPhone ever). They said the battery life is terrible (it nearly identical to the base 17). They said it’s missing cameras (90% of people take 90% of their shots using the main lens).

And yet Apple caters to these people who chase clicks for a living.

This is incorrect iPhone 7 Plus dual cameras
Bigger battery because it’s better for pictures according to apple then 11 pro three cameras and better battery life according to apple
Consistently saying this to then launching a device with a higher price point with one camera lens & worse battery life then expecting it to sell but blame it on YouTuber’s perfectly sums up certain apple fans.

 

[Bigbuddy1]

Very few are clamoring for this. Honestly, I think more people would prefer an Air sized version of the standard Pro. The general public doesn't want small phones. And sales have proven that. Multiple times.

What you will probably find happens is this the standard model gets replaced by the air and that’s how they will do it
So you will probably find it will go along the lines of this budget 16E then AIR standard then PRO model then fold
And by doing that they can push the prices up for less features

 

[Happy_John]

I wish Apple would sue MKBHD for constantly pushing a misleading “pro user” perspective. It would teach him a lesson. I used to like him. These days he just preaches about how everyone should have a brick-thick phone with seven cameras just because he needs one.

Someone really needs to start a channel that reviews these devices from a true everyday user’s perspective. Not from a YouTuber’s or content creator’s point of view. People like MKBHD and others genuinely can’t see beyond their own use case.

Apple love him, because he constantly pushes only their most expensive products and objects, because for him, "more expensive" is "better". His level of entitlement and snobbery annoys the hell out of me, as do most of the Apple-focused influencers / parasites.

You say he needs the most expensive option - he doesn't, he's just showing off, and pushing the idea that you're not a good enough human being if you're too poor to have a Pro Max. That's a very unhealthy attitude to present on YouTube, but it's the attitude being projected from most YouTubers. You can see how unhealthy it is as seeps down into, say, a lot of users of this forum.

He makes money out of overspending on tech he doesn't need, but the general public loses money on feeling that they have to buy overspecced tech they don't need.

YouTubers / influencers are not reviewers, they're just tech porn, just a most cookery programs are food porn, and not actually guides to cooking.

YouTuber / influencers have had a very negative effect on people's perspective on technology. No one cares what phone you have. No one cares about the brand or spec. That's mostly just fallout from shoving too much YouTube into your head.

 

[Seanm87]

Apple love him, because he constantly pushes only their most expensive products and objects, because for him, "more expensive" is "better". His level of entitlement and snobbery annoys the hell out of me, as do most of the Apple-focused influencers / parasites.

You say he needs the most expensive option - he doesn't, he's just showing off, and pushing the idea that you're not a good enough human being if you're too poor to have a Pro Max. That's a very unhealthy attitude to present on YouTube, but it's the attitude being projected from most YouTubers. You can see how unhealthy it is as seeps down into, say, a lot of users of this forum.

He makes money out of overspending on tech he doesn't need, but the general public loses money on feeling that they have to buy overspecced tech they don't need.

YouTubers / influencers are not reviewers, they're just tech porn, just a most cookery programs are food porn, and not actually guides to cooking.

YouTuber / influencers have had a very negative effect on people's perspective on technology. No one cares what phone you have. No one cares about the brand or spec. That's mostly just fallout from shoving too much YouTube into your head.

I’m not sure I agree with that tbh. He was very complimentary of the iPhone 17 base and said it’s the phone most people should buy.

 

[podiki]

If I can pick one up for half price, this will be my next phone.

 

[Happy_John]

I’m not sure I agree with that tbh. He was very complimentary of the iPhone 17 base and said it’s the phone most people should buy.

As do the Mac Rumours podcasters, but what phones and tech are all three flashing around constantly?

"The iPhone 17 is a good phone (for the plebs, naturally. I of course deserve something better.) Pro Max Pro Max Pro Max Pro Max ad infinitum" And how they take about the general public is incredibly patronizing. They're trying to monetize elitism.

The "most people" is the problem here. These influencers strongly imply THEY are not most people, and imply to their audience that their audience should pay extra so they won't be tarnish with the reputation of being "most people".

As I've said, they make money out of this. My issue is how this perspective filters down to people who are not making money out of upselling, but end up thinking they have to spend more money than they really need to in order to feel like a functioning human.

I'm sorry, but the majority of YouTuber influencers are simply parasites, feeding off both the producers of products and potential buyers of products.

 

[zenmacx]

It is both thicker and heavier than a 13 mini, and with a worse camera too. Maybe if they addressed those issues it would sell better?

The solution and best kept secret, that's hardly talked about is iPhone 16e.

$400 less than iPhone Air

Superior battery
Easily Pocketed
Dual speakers
More compact
More fun
Lies flat

10 mm shorter
3 mm narrower
Same 5.8oz weight
Only 2.2mm thicker
No camera plateau
6.1 vs 6.5" display
Same single camera
Similar performance
4005 vs 3149 mAh battery

A fun inexpensive and compact iPhone.

 

[mazz0]

Excellent news! Maybe now they’ll make an iPhone Thicc, with twice the battery and no camera bump (and, in my opinion, the same thickness, since a device is only as thin as its thickest part).

 

[swester]

I'm just surprised that with all the people who seem to be clamoring for another mini phone, that they didn't just go that route - i.e. noticeably smaller, not thinner. I would imagine a super-capable phone with a return to the 5" display range could be appealing to a lot of people.

 

[Happy_John]

I'm just surprised that with all the people who seem to be clamoring for another mini phone, that they didn't just go that route - i.e. noticeably smaller, not thinner. I would imagine a super-capable phone with a return to the 5" display range could be appealing to a lot of people.

For me, all I want is an iPhone in the iPhone 6-8 ( and SE2-SE3) form factor, in terms of size, thickness and weight, but with a full screen in front with as little bezel as possible.

For my hands, it was the perfect size. I have a 16 now, and it's fine, but slightly too big (I've started doing that annoying "little finger balancing act" holding the phone one handed, I never had to do that with the 6s and SE2 I owned).

 

[Danie_Morrow]

The solution and best kept secret, that's hardly talked about is iPhone 16e.

$400 less than iPhone Air

Superior battery
Easily Pocketed
Dual speakers
More compact
More fun
Lies flat

10 mm shorter
3 mm narrower
Same 5.8oz weight
Only 2.2mm thicker
No camera plateau
6.1 vs 6.5" display
Same single camera
Similar performance
4005 vs 3149 mAh battery

A fun inexpensive and compact iPhone.

Why are you lying? Tests are everywhere, and the Air lasts longer on battery than the iPhone 16e. Similar performance. Again, a lie, the iPhone Air is much more powerful according to tests. You'd rather not mention the most important aspect of any phone, the display, because you spend most of your time looking at the screen. The 16e has a maximum of 800 nits, while the Air has a maximum of 3000 nits. The 16e also has a notch and thick bezels. More fun? In what way is it more fun? That's absolutely subjective nonsense.

 

[Happy_John]

Why are you lying? Tests are everywhere, and the Air lasts longer on battery than the iPhone 16e. Similar performance. Again, a lie, the iPhone Air is much more powerful according to tests. You'd rather not mention the most important aspect of any phone, the display, because you spend most of your time looking at the screen. The 16e has a maximum of 800 nits, while the Air has a maximum of 3000 nits. The 16e also has a notch and thick bezels. More fun? In what way is it more fun? That's absolutely subjective nonsense.

Eh, why are you accusing the previous poster of lying, when they clearly didn't lie? What do you think is untrue in their post?

 

[Ralfi]

Not with that attitude. iPhone Air only has less than 2% greater physical volume than the 13 Mini - yet it matches the battery life of the 16 Pro.

Not an issue of being able to make it work. It's an issue of having the willingness to make it work.

It matches the battery life of the 16 Pro? That sounds good I guess, but it’s still a generation behind.

Let’s say a new Mini was able to match the Air in terms of battery life (so the equivalent of last year’s Pro). Do you think there will be enough room left to squeeze in all the features of a Pro iPhone, & retain that battery life?

It’s not going to happen.

 

[Danie_Morrow]

Eh, why are you accusing the previous poster of lying, when they clearly didn't lie? What do you think is untrue in their post?

Superior battery - lie.

Similar perfomance - lie

Apple iPhone Air review

The iPhone Air is powered by the new 3nm Apple A19 Pro chipset, but there's more to it. This version of the SoC is a step above the A19 in the iPhone 17,...

www.gsmarena.com

 

[Happy_John]

Superior battery - lie.

Similar perfomance - lie

Apple iPhone Air review

The iPhone Air is powered by the new 3nm Apple A19 Pro chipset, but there's more to it. This version of the SoC is a step above the A19 in the iPhone 17,...

www.gsmarena.com

You have a difference of opinion. A difference of opinion doesn't justify accusing someone of lying.

Are you saying that the specs he gave are untrue?

 

[MaxVerstappen]

I consider myself a regular person, and I absolutely do care about cameras. I love taking pictures on hikes, my children's events, family gatherings etc - and this is one of the main reasons I did not go for the Air. That and battery.

The average consumer doesn't post on macrumors website.

 

[Danie_Morrow]

You have a difference of opinion. A difference of opinion doesn't justify accusing someone of lying.

Are you saying that the specs he gave are untrue?

No, that's not a different opinion, those are lies based on a lack of personal experience and ignorance of tests, just to confirm his confirmation bias. According to tests, the Air has a better battery than the 16e. We've known for years that it's not just about the battery, but mainly about the chip. The Air has 3000 nits, yet it lasts longer on battery power. So this is a lie. Similar performance. Again, a lie. The Air is massively faster and also has 12GB of RAM. So no, that's not a different opinion, those are lies.