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

[Virinprew]

If you’re going to claim in a headline that a product “failed” maybe you should do your own reporting to confirm this instead of accepting everything you’re told by these investment firms. As an aside if you’re buying a new phone and don’t buy the Air simply because of the missing wide-angle camera then I don’t know what to tell you. Everyone complains about the products never changing and then when they get what they wished for they're still unhappy.

Changes have direction.

 

[Ralfi]

Make the base models marginally slimmer each cycle instead.
Clearly no-one feels compelled to buy a nerfed gimmick phone.

I do that myself, but using a ‘frameless’ case. It’s a dog-bone design that - despite exposing the sides of the phone - boost the grip & therefore reduce the chance of dropping the thing.

So I’ve basically been using a ‘naked’ iPhone with corner, top & rear protection plus front/back lay on table functionality.

 

[Hattie]

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.

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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%

I think the Air formfactor is perfect! If they could get a better zoom and thermals perfected it would be perfect.

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.

I joined this group to defend the Air. I’ve had many iPhones and the IPhone Air is BY FAR my favorite. It’s the only iPhone that I’ve been comfortable carrying without a case. The battery and camera is just fine, don’t understand the complaints. This just might be the IPhone I keep longer than normal. I just love it!

 

[Daveydawg]

well I freaking love this phone. I have an air and a max, and I never use my max. I''ve learned that most of my pictures really don't require much better of a camera, and the battery has been fine. this thing is awesome in hand. but to each their own.

 

[MacATDBB]

I think this could have been an ideal launch product for Apple's adoption of silicon-carbon batteries as I imagine the higher energy density might bring the air close to the battery capacity of the 17 pro, while still being a sufficiently niche product they they wouldn't stand to face massive bills if the batteries developed glitches.

 

[joshwithachance]

I think this could have been an ideal launch product for Apple's adoption of silicon-carbon batteries as I imagine the higher energy density might bring the air close to the battery capacity of the 17 pro, while still being a sufficiently niche product they they wouldn't stand to face massive bills if the batteries developed glitches.

The battery life seemingly isn't the reason most people are avoiding the Air, as in real world usage it actually outperforms the base 17. It's the lack of ultra-wide camera and second speaker for $200 more.

 

[C7 POWER]

23 pages of “Tastes great!” “Less filling!” is ludicrous.

27 pages lol

 

[SactoGuy18]

Apple used to ship phones with lower capacity batteries in the past. It's only recently they had to play the "thickness game" with Android because users have absolutely no idea what "efficiency" even means any more when Android phones ship with massive batteries.

So that's why you're wishing for 3900mAh or 4000mAh.

You just don't realize that say... a phone like S25 Edge actually lasts about the same as iPhone Air or... even less on battery. That's just how much more efficient Air is compared to competitors. I know because I had the S25 Edge as well. Gave up on it when I got Air in. So now I only have Z Fold 7 and Air.

Granted, if Samsung could fit 2 cameras, dual speakers, and a 3900mAh battery into the S25 Edge, Apple definitely should be able to do the same with Air as well. I can agree with that. But honestly, Air does not need a bigger battery as it is. Unless you're a heavy phone user, but a heavy phone user should also not look at Air to begin with anyway.

I think the big problem with the iPhone Air is the 3,149 mAh battery combined with a 6.5" LTPO VRR display. And it doesn't help that unlike the regular iPhone 17 or the iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max models, the iPhone Air doesn't take advantage of Apple's new 40 watt Power Delivery 3.2 SPR AVS charger, so charging rates are still relatively slow by 2025 standards.

In short, the iPhone Air is an interesting experiment, but the regular iPhone 17 is a better phone for most people. And the regular iPhone 17 has a true wide angle sensor and way better internal speakers, too. I can see the next "regular" iPhone borrow a lot of the technology from the iPhone Air, especially moving the majority other electronics under the enlarged camera bump with a slightly thinner case but still with better speakers and now a circa 3,800 mAh battery.

 

[mathiasinthe314]

The battery life seemingly isn't the reason most people are avoiding the Air, as in real world usage it actually outperforms the base 17. It's the lack of ultra-wide camera and second speaker for $200 more.

I think some people are viewing battery life as a reason, but there's good reason that they shouldn't. Unless they're upgrading from a PM from the last couple years, the battery is the same or better than what they already have. If a 15PM or 14PM, it's barely less. If you're blindly comparing against the rest of the 17 series, sure it looks less rosy, but it lacks context if you do that. I had the Air and the battery life was more than enough to make it through the day, with average to above average usage, and no battery pack. It was the camera that made the difference. The speaker was doable for my uses, but I could see where that would disappoint some people.

 

[joshwithachance]

I think the big problem with the iPhone Air is the 3,149 mAh battery combined with a 6.5" LTPO VRR display. And it doesn't help that unlike the regular iPhone 17 or the iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max models, the iPhone Air doesn't take advantage of Apple's new 40 watt Power Delivery 3.2 SPR AVS charger, so charging rates are still relatively slow by 2025 standards.

In short, the iPhone Air is an interesting experiment, but the regular iPhone 17 is a better phone for most people. And the regular iPhone 17 has a true wide angle sensor and way better internal speakers, too. I can see the next "regular" iPhone borrow a lot of the technology from the iPhone Air, especially moving the majority other electronics under the enlarged camera bump with a slightly thinner case but still with better speakers and now a circa 3,800 mAh battery.

The Air lasts longer per charge, in real world usage, than the 17 (as well as every smaller iPhone ever). And it only takes an extra 10 minutes to fully charge to 100% from a dead battery. Battery life isn't its achilles heel; it's the camera and speaker situation, minimizing its overall appeal from a value perspective.

 

[zenmacx]

It’s the only iPhone that I’ve been comfortable carrying without a case.

Why?

Serious question, not being critical just curious.

 

[mlayer]

Why?

Serious question, not being critical just curious.

The Air feels good to hold naked while still being the most durable iPhone ever built. I couldn't risk that with the X no matter how much I liked its design. Have you seen the ads with the weather-pounded Pros on a soundstage? The Air would've held up even better.

 

[NVDA]

How are you so sure the majority of iPhone buyers seek out & actually listen to influencers?

$999 vs. $799 for two options that will "work the same" for the vast majority of users is probably what's tanking the Air.

$800 is painful enough but I think $1000 for a phone that most know will need to be replaced in a few years is a huge pill to swallow for the average (re: majority) user.

He isn't sure because they don't. The overwhelming majority of people who enter Apple just want "the new iPhone." They know nothing about tech reviewers and their biases.

I think some people are viewing battery life as a reason, but there's good reason that they shouldn't. Unless they're upgrading from a PM from the last couple years, the battery is the same or better than what they already have. If a 15PM or 14PM, it's barely less. If you're blindly comparing against the rest of the 17 series, sure it looks less rosy, but it lacks context if you do that. I had the Air and the battery life was more than enough to make it through the day, with average to above average usage, and no battery pack. It was the camera that made the difference. The speaker was doable for my uses, but I could see where that would disappoint some people.

My 13 PM's new battery gets over 10 hours SOT with heavy Spotify/YouTube usage. Does the Air get close to that?

 

[coachgq]

Funny, for me it was the lack of zoom and macro.

Well there is that also!

 

[splifingate]

All day battery life is irrelevant with all of the charging solutions available.

Hear. Hear.

 

[arc of the universe]

I think this could have been an ideal launch product for Apple's adoption of silicon-carbon batteries as I imagine the higher energy density might bring the air close to the battery capacity of the 17 pro, while still being a sufficiently niche product they they wouldn't stand to face massive bills if the batteries developed glitches.

thanks for mentioning this.
when the rumor came out maybe around 5 or 6 months ago that there was a delay in apple's plans for this new type of battery, i suspected then that the ultimate battery life in the rumored Air would be less than what apple was planning.
but at any rate, i still bought the Air, and love it.
assuming apple solves the issues in the higher density battery, this gives me hope that the Fold will have 24+ hours of actual battery life.