iPhone 17 iPhone Air a Flop, 17 Pro a Massive Hit

[one more]

Reading the posts on this thread I get a massive déjà vu feeling from several years ago when it was about iPhone mini. Back then people would also complain of the lack of advertising, bad release timing, COVID impact, stock shortages, etc.

My optimistic outlook for Air is that we will see its second improved version (as it was with mini 13) and then Apple will decide whether to keep it going, depending on the sales figures. Either way, all the R&D they put into it could be probably used for the rumoured foldable, so it is not a total failure.

Personally, I also like Air minimalistic form factor, but as many others cannot accept all of its current technical compromises.

 

[Tsepz]

I guess then it needs to have a body similar the size of the normal 17

I think the body size + screen size of the Air are the 2 aspects where nobody has a problem, but if Apple can just fit more “value” into the body, more people would look at it.

The Air has to play an unfortunate role of convincing base and Pro users that this is the perfect middle ground.

The Air was Apple’s opportunity to throw in a thin large capacity Silicon Carbon Battery e.g. 4400mAh and champion the fact that they were able to fit a huge battery into a body thinner than 15 Pro Max or something like that.

 

[Bungaree.Chubbins]

If I were upgrading now I’m not sure I could go past the iPhone Air. The lack of an ultra wide lens, and mono speaker are drawbacks, but I can work around them.

 

[blairh]

Ah, we’re at this part of the cycle. CIPR releases some profoundly inaccurate numbers, the forum spins a narrative of doom and gloom off them, until eventually more accurate numbers are found that disprove all of this. Then the cycle starts again.

Sounds like you just don't want to believe what CIRP reports because it bothers you. Their previous mini and Plus data was accurate.

 

[Bungaree.Chubbins]

Sounds like you just don't want to believe what CIRP reports because it bothers you. Their previous mini and Plus data was accurate.

Their methodology is shaky, polling a small sample in one market doesn’t give reliable data.

I don’t have a vested interest in any particular outcome. I’m interested to know what the real numbers are, and Apple’s intentions. There is evidence to suggest that the Air isn’t setting the world on fire, but there’s also reason to believe it isn’t dead on arrival.

 

[blairh]

Their methodology is shaky, polling a small sample in one market doesn’t give reliable data.

I don’t have a vested interest in any particular outcome. I’m interested to know what the real numbers are, and Apple’s intentions. There is evidence to suggest that the Air isn’t setting the world on fire, but there’s also reason to believe it isn’t dead on arrival.

I don't think it's DOA either. And I believe in its potential more than the mini and Plus. But I don't think the numbers reflected in their report are all that inaccurate either to what is happening sales-wise in the States and globally.

 

[TechnoMonk]

They did mind the billions of revenue from the iPhone mini.

Nope iPhone mini was worse, apparently not even few billions.

 

[JPack]

Nope iPhone mini was worse, apparently not even few billions.

No, the iPhone 12 mini sold the same at 6%. A flop is a flop.

 

[TechnoMonk]

No, the iPhone 12 mini sold the same at 6%. A flop is a flop.

View attachment 2600647

Let’s see 13 mini, may be that 6% of 12 mini was enough for Apple to release 13 mini. Explains why they bothered to release 13 mini.

 

[JPack]

Let’s see 13 mini, may be that 6% of 12 mini was enough for Apple to release 13 mini. Explains why they bothered to release 13 mini.

It's because iPhone assembly and components have an 18-24 month lead time. Suppliers and assemblers can ramp down, but Apple incurs a heavy financial penalty to stop completely. iPhone 13 mini was locked in with iPhone 12 mini. It's also the reason Kuo can give a timeline of 2027 iPhones back in mid-2025.

 

[TechnoMonk]

It's because iPhone assembly and components have an 18-24 month lead time. Suppliers and assemblers can ramp down, but Apple incurs a heavy financial penalty to stop completely. iPhone 13 mini was locked in with iPhone 12 mini. It's also the reason Kuo can give a timeline of 2027 iPhones back in mid-2025.

They could have extended the time line to another 12-24 months if iPhone 13 mini hadn’t flopped with 14 and 15 mini. Let’s see iPhone 13 mini sales.

 

[JPack]

They could have extended the time line to another 12-24 months if iPhone 13 mini hadn’t flopped with 14 and 15 mini. Let’s see iPhone 13 mini sales.

Just 3% of U.S. iPhone Sales in March Quarter Were iPhone 13 Mini Models

The 5.4-inch iPhone 13 mini continues to be unpopular with customers, according to U.S. iPhone sales data for the March quarter that was shared by Consumer Research Intelligence Partners (CIRP). The iPhone 13 mini had the smallest share of sales of all the iPhone 13 models, and it made up just...

www.macrumors.com

 

[TechnoMonk]

Just 3% of U.S. iPhone Sales in March Quarter Were iPhone 13 Mini Models

The 5.4-inch iPhone 13 mini continues to be unpopular with customers, according to U.S. iPhone sales data for the March quarter that was shared by Consumer Research Intelligence Partners (CIRP). The iPhone 13 mini had the smallest share of sales of all the iPhone 13 models, and it made up just...

www.macrumors.com

That is the problem! 3% sales of 13 mini, and more importantly the sales % halved compared to 12 mini. And iPhone air has much higher selling price. So the revenue will be much higher for similar sales numbers.

 

[JPack]

That is the problem! 3% sales of 13 mini, and more importantly the sales % halved compared to 12 mini. And iPhone air has much higher selling price. So the revenue will be much higher for similar sales numbers.

iPhone Air is selling for less than base iPhone 17 in many parts of the world.

https://www.techradar.com/phones/iphone/i-frankly-cant-believe-the-iphone-air-is-already-33-percent-off-4-months-from-launch-apples-super-thin-handset-is-down-to-just-aud-1199

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-china-discounting-iphone-air-to-790usd-for-lny-limited-supply.2476545/

You had enthusiasts buying iPhone 12 mini and Air when it first launched. They're not going to buy it again the following year.

 

[TechnoMonk]

iPhone Air is selling for less than base iPhone 17 in many parts of the world.

https://www.techradar.com/phones/iphone/i-frankly-cant-believe-the-iphone-air-is-already-33-percent-off-4-months-from-launch-apples-super-thin-handset-is-down-to-just-aud-1199

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-china-discounting-iphone-air-to-790usd-for-lny-limited-supply.2476545/

You had enthusiasts buying iPhone 12 mini and Air when it first launched. They're not going to buy it again the following year.

You can’t extrapolate with 12 mini. Fact is iPhone 13 mini was big reason it got canned not 12 mini. If I phone 13 mini maintained or increased the %, mini probably would have survived. Will see how iPhone 18 Air does, and if Air line will survive or morph to something else.

 

[Meedoss]

Sales are finished here. $AUD. Back to full retail.

 

[transpo1]

First quarter sales are in from CIRP.

My main takeaways:

Base model iPhone 17 on par with 16. I thought it would be higher (versus last year) given the numerous strong sales reports since its release.

The 17 Pro has far succeeded the 16 Pro. Not sure why that would be. Very surprising.

The Air is selling worse than the 16 Plus in the same time frame. Not a surprise given its limitations and premium price.

View attachment 2600095

The 17 has great value and 17 Pro overperforms with the new chassis but I believe the biggest factor is that the super cycle of Pandemic upgrades has started. Hopefully, this continues through the iPhone 18 Pro release this year.

The iPhone Air is a very attractive device that was limited by a single camera and value to cost ratio compared with the regular 17. But-- it's a return on investment for Apple because its novelty got clicks, got people interested and led to more 17 and 17 Pro sales.

That's why the iPhone Fold will be so important this year-- it's not that they expect it to be the best selling iPhone-- but it doubles as a marketing strategy that will get people online and into stores and lead to more overall sales.

Apple knows what they're doing. And hopefully they sell a ton of Folds anyway.

 

[code-m]

The 17 has great value and 17 Pro overperforms with the new chassis but I believe the biggest factor is that the super cycle of Pandemic upgrades has started. Hopefully, this continues through the iPhone 18 Pro release this year.

The iPhone Air is a very attractive device that was limited by a single camera and value to cost ratio compared with the regular 17. But-- it's a return on investment for Apple because its novelty got clicks, got people interested and led to more 17 and 17 Pro sales.

That's why the iPhone Fold will be so important this year-- it's not that they expect it to be the best selling iPhone-- but it doubles as a marketing strategy that will get people online and into stores and lead to more overall sales.

Apple knows what they're doing. And hopefully they sell a ton of Folds anyway.

When the iPhone 18 Pro and the Fold is released this year that will reduce the amount of purchasers for the base iPhone 18 and iPhone Air 2 months later. Then one has to factor in carrier subsidies and other promos plus the new form factor for the fold and it’s not looking good for the Air 2 tbh.

 

[JPack]

When the iPhone 18 Pro and the Fold is released this year that will reduce the amount of purchasers for the base iPhone 18 and iPhone Air 2 months later. Then one has to factor in carrier subsidies and other promos plus the new form factor for the fold and it’s not looking good for the Air 2 tbh.

That's a great point. I suspect many people underestimate how much headwind a split launch affects Air 2.

Today, it makes no sense to buy Air because most just spend $100 more for the 17 Pro. Mainstream buyers pick $799 base 17 because it already satisfies them.

Fast forward to September 2026. The choices are: $1,099 iPhone 18 Pro or wait 6 months for a still compromised $999 iPhone Air 2. Both Pro and Air buyers are the type that want new toys today, not 6 months later. This means more Pro sales.

The pragmatic buyers are still willing to wait for base iPhone 18/e. Or, they'll opt for iPhone 17, which may drop to $699 by September.

 

[chmania]

Since the iPhone 17 was introduced and my internet provider is offering a good deal, I considered buying one. However, with my iPhone 11's battery health still at 81% for the last 2 years, I don't think I need to replace it for another year or so. The phone is mainly for a few text messages, telephone calls, some occasional picture-taking, serving as a hotspot where there's no Wi-Fi, and playing a few games. I don't believe it's worth wasting money until Apple produces a much convincing phone. At the moment, the iPhone 17 models are just new phones but not particularly convincing.

 

[snipr125]

Since the iPhone 17 was introduced and my internet provider is offering a good deal, I considered buying one. However, with my iPhone 11's battery health still at 81% for the last 2 years, I don't think I need to replace it for another year or so. The phone is mainly for a few text messages, telephone calls, some occasional picture-taking, serving as a hotspot where there's no Wi-Fi, and playing a few games. I don't believe it's worth wasting money until Apple produces a much convincing phone. At the moment, the iPhone 17 models are just new phones but not particularly convincing.

Fair play to you chmania, you are really getting your moneys worth out of your iPhone 11! You must be getting random shutdowns/restarts with the battery at 81%, have you not considered getting a new battery or you just waiting for it to die so you can replace it with a newer iphone?

 

[chmania]

You must be getting random shutdowns/restarts with the battery at 81%,

Nothing like that ever happened. It is one of the good phones that Apple has produced.
Some people here praise the Mini. These days, you don't really need to replace your phone every 2 or 3 years, or even longer.