iPhone Air iPhone Air Lack of Popularity

[Cyberguycpt]

Now if you are an iPhone Air enthusiast this topic may not be for you so you may just want to scroll on.

But as someone who initially thought the Air would be the show stopper this year and sell out for months why do we think this is not the case.

I know the phone it replaced essentially the Plus was already the most unpopular but was it on this level. Meaning during the launch and preorder week was it just readily available. I was a previous Plus buyer until the Pros came out so in my day it was pretty popular.

I know many people are saying how luxurious it feels and looks and all and in my personal opinion I don’t really see it but I thought I was more of an outlier.

So what say you all. What do you think Apple missed with this phone, and do you think it will have a dramatic turnaround and become a best seller?

 

[Stev150]

I’m currently trying to decide between 17 pro blue and cloud white air and I’m 50/50 the air as well as the pro is sold out in all colours and all but 1tb in local stores around me and online it’s October delivery

 

[Cyberguycpt]

I’m currently trying to decide between 17 pro blue and cloud white air and I’m 50/50 the air as well as the pro is sold out in all colours and all but 1tb in local stores around me and online it’s October delivery

It must also depend on the storage, the 256 GB shows pickup for today but I’m in Los Angeles and delivery for next week. For me the Cloud is the only one that has a shipping delay.

 

[ISignedUpToAskThis]

I think those on the fence (like myself) are too apprehensive about the tradeoffs - mainly the battery life, but also the cameras and speaker. But mainly the battery, from what I've seen online.

I ordered a 17 Pro, which is still sat in its box at home. I've also ordered a Pro Max (apparently arriving next weekend). But I'm still very interested in the Air because of its premium look, the weight and the colour choices. Still might choose the Air.

 

[jz0309]

Now if you are an iPhone Air enthusiast this topic may not be for you so you may just want to scroll on.

But as someone who initially thought the Air would be the show stopper this year and sell out for months why do we think this is not the case.

I know the phone it replaced essentially the Plus was already the most unpopular but was it on this level. Meaning during the launch and preorder week was it just readily available. I was a previous Plus buyer until the Pros came out so in my day it was pretty popular.

I know many people are saying how luxurious it feels and looks and all and in my personal opinion I don’t really see it but I thought I was more of an outlier.

So what say you all. What do you think Apple missed with this phone, and do you think it will have a dramatic turnaround and become a best seller?

I have no idea why you think it "lacks popularity"? When I was in the store to setup my new 17PM, at my table there were 2 people setting up iPhone Air, 3 other people incl myself had orange phones...
I think a lot of people will want to try it in person before buying.
I liked the "feel" of the Air, for me personally lack of cameras make it a no go.
But "popularity" - hyperbole

 

[Chancha]

The way the Air gimps itself is visually obvious even for normies, especially missing a camera lens, that it is visually lesser than the regular 17 while costing more. That’s at least judging by images and videos which is what people have to go by during the pre-order week.

Then with the actual phones being shown in stores and then people can get their hands on it, this is where the Air (may be) able to sell itself, since its biggest deal is how it feels in the hand. We shall see.

I myself have held it in Apple Store and can see how I’d want it, granted I gave a chance to the 13 mini back then. But I am a semi-heavy phone user, the mini gave me intense heat issue and of course its lack of battery was killing it. This Air will suffer similar issue so the form factor alone did not sell me. I’d venture to say for most people who pre-order iPhones, they are like us who also care about these. Therefore I purchased a 17 pro max, despite it being a brick this is a trade off I am willing to make.

 

[clarencek]

Had the Air for 48 hours and went with the 17PM. I use the phone too heavily and while light to moderate use would get “all day battery life” someone who’s on it a lot for work will not get all day battery. Both days I was out and charging around by early afternoon.

 

[ISignedUpToAskThis]

I also went to an Apple store today and tried the Air and in hand it's very compelling and appealing. The bigger screen, while still feeling manageable and light and the premium look - the thin polished titanium is genuinely impressive in person. Reminds me a lot of the old iPod Touch.

But all those compromises are big deals, especially the battery and camera, and for an extra $100 you get a far more complete phone with more value.

 

[Cyberguycpt]

I have no idea why you think it "lacks popularity"? When I was in the store to setup my new 17PM, at my table there were 2 people setting up iPhone Air, 3 other people incl myself had orange phones...
I think a lot of people will want to try it in person before buying.
I liked the "feel" of the Air, for me personally lack of cameras make it a no go.
But "popularity" - hyperbole

I guess I’m just gauging from the fact that if I wanted I could have ordered up until Thursday and still got it in store on Friday. For me maybe I was expecting too much. I assumed it would be sold out at least until October and maybe November.

 

[Webcat86]

There’s no way to gauge popularity on whether it’s sold out, Apple may have a far higher inventory of the Air in anticipation of demand.

I bought an Air today. I like it a lot but haven’t transferred my number yet (it’ll kill my physical sim) as I want to give it a full week and see how good it is and if it gets warm, etc.

 

[Lobwedgephil]

For some the battery, for some the camera. And those are the two most important things for a lot of people. I think it will sell much better to people who just see the in stores.

 

[C. Robert]

The pro chungus can be sold out for 47 years 3 weeks and 1 day. It doesn't make it more desirable for me.

 

[bill-p]

So what say you all. What do you think Apple missed with this phone, and do you think it will have a dramatic turnaround and become a best seller?

As an Air owner, I enjoy my Air but I think I also know very well what Apple missed here.

1. Base 17 is the best looking this round. It’s the most “traditional Apple” design. Air may stand out with the polished sides, but that’s about it. Also the colors on offer are just very boring (according to my wife). I got my “black” but everything else is just some slight variation of white. Why did they even bother?

2. Some of Air’s issues can be worked around. I guess I don’t care about them since I just use my phone like a phone for the most part. But someone who does a bit more with their phone, and who just want to “use it as is” will undoubtedly find base 17 easier to use. No workarounds needed.

3. Air at $999 is too much. It should have been $799 or $899. But I understand why Apple couldn’t make the phone more durable without spending more on premium materials and manufacturing process. For $100 more, I could just get a Pro phone. That is if I’m okay with the chonk of the Pro. Otherwise, base 17 is much cheaper.

4. I don’t think Air will become more popular. It’s basically a phone that just tries to be… a phone. But my wife, my mother, my son, and everyone else all around me are increasingly using their phones more and more for tasks that would have been done on computers before. Basically, everyone wants a pocketable computer far more than a phone these days. I don’t see how a device that only wants to be the most basic will sell well.

And in fact, that’s why the Pro is all sold out: more and more folks are asking for more of their phones. They want their phones to do more, last longer, have even bigger and brighter screens, etc…

So if anything, I think Air will go the way of the Mini. It is sad since I do like the concept and I enjoy my phone. It is not that it’s compromised, but that the general populace now seems to want more features at the expense of design, weight and thinness. I bet at this point, if Apple could jam a 200MP into the Pro phones and make them last 1 week on battery that people will be okay with the phones being even 50% thicker and heavier than they are right now.

 

[Rangers94]

Apple hit it outta the park with the iPhone Air! Everything about it has exceeded my expectations. Can never go back to a Pro Max size..I am now officially spoiled. 😀

 

[Webcat86]

As an Air owner, I enjoy my Air but I think I also know very well what Apple missed here.

1. Base 17 is the best looking this round. It’s the most “traditional Apple” design. Air may stand out with the polished sides, but that’s about it. Also the colors on offer are just very boring (according to my wife). I got my “black” but everything else is just some slight variation of white. Why did they even bother?

2. Some of Air’s issues can be worked around. I guess I don’t care about them since I just use my phone like a phone for the most part. But someone who does a bit more with their phone, and who just want to “use it as is” will undoubtedly find base 17 easier to use. No workarounds needed.

3. Air at $999 is too much. It should have been $799 or $899. But I understand why Apple couldn’t make the phone more durable without spending more on premium materials and manufacturing process. For $100 more, I could just get a Pro phone. That is if I’m okay with the chonk of the Pro. Otherwise, base 17 is much cheaper.

4. I don’t think Air will become more popular. It’s basically a phone that just tries to be… a phone. But my wife, my mother, my son, and everyone else all around me are increasingly using their phones more and more for tasks that would have been done on computers before. Basically, everyone wants a pocketable computer far more than a phone these days. I don’t see how a device that only wants to be the most basic will sell well.

And in fact, that’s why the Pro is all sold out: more and more folks are asking for more of their phones. They want their phones to do more, last longer, have even bigger and brighter screens, etc…

So if anything, I think Air will go the way of the Mini. It is sad since I do like the concept and I enjoy my phone. It is not that it’s compromised, but that the general populace now seems to want more features at the expense of design, weight and thinness. I bet at this point, if Apple could jam a 200MP into the Pro phones and make them last 1 week on battery that people will be okay with the phones being even 50% thicker and heavier than they are right now.

But what doesn’t it do, really? Apart from fewer camera lenses, I’m scratching at my head at why I shouldn’t have bought an Air to replace my 16 Pro. And this isn’t a facetious question - I’ve got 14 days to make a decision so if there’s something I’ve not considered I would be grateful to know.

 

[Cyberguycpt]

Apple hit it outta the park with the iPhone Air! Everything about it has exceeded my expectations. Can never go back to a Pro Max size..I am now officially spoiled.

Glad you’re enjoying your phone. I too hope next year I’ll be leaving the Pro Behind when they release the fold.

 

[awshucks]

I’m currently trying to decide between 17 pro blue and cloud white air and I’m 50/50 the air as well as the pro is sold out in all colours and all but 1tb in local stores around me and online it’s October delivery

It depends on what you value. If you value one-handed usage, the pro will be better. If you value thinness and lightness, get the Air.

 

[jetydosa]

"Lack of popularity" eh? Where are you getting the sales #s from?

I was in the Apple Store today in Atlanta and there were tons of people checking out the Airs. No idea if they bought of course.

 

[bill-p]

But what doesn’t it do, really? Apart from fewer camera lenses, I’m scratching at my head at why I shouldn’t have bought an Air to replace my 16 Pro. And this isn’t a facetious question - I’ve got 14 days to make a decision so if there’s something I’ve not considered I would be grateful to know.

That’s the thing. Air does most of what the other devices do objectively. But subjectively, I think people will look at the specifications, the numbers, the features, and then think they are better served by other options.

The problem is ideology: I think Air is meant to be the pinnacle of what a “basic smartphone” should be: just enough of everything while being super thin and light. Form over function per se.

But that’s just not what everyone else is looking for.

In your case, I’d say… it may be what you’re looking for if you just want a basic phone. Otherwise you’re better served by a Pro.

 

[Cyberguycpt]

"Lack of popularity" eh? Where are you getting the sales #s from?

I was in the Apple Store today in Atlanta and there were tons of people checking out the Airs. No idea if they bought of course.

Definitely understand what you are saying but if the Air would have been sold out everywhere people would conclude it was a hit even though they simply could have produced less phone.

 

[klasma]

I forgot where I read it, but apparently the Air is selling three times as well as the 16 Plus, which would be roughly 15% of iPhone sales. That might be enough for Apple to call it a success. Plus Apple’s margins on that model might be pretty high.

While I’m not a fan of the Air (too large, too thick (plateau and lens), not light-weight enough, glossy edges), I think the bigger miss in this cycle is the not very stylish design of the Pros, and the “scratchgate”. The regular 17, on the other hand, is a winner.

 

[Webcat86]

That’s the thing. Air does most of what the other devices do objectively. But subjectively, I think people will look at the specifications, the numbers, the features, and then think they are better served by other options.

The problem is ideology: I think Air is meant to be the pinnacle of what a “basic smartphone” should be: just enough of everything while being super thin and light. Form over function per se.

But that’s just not what everyone else is looking for.

In your case, I’d say… it may be what you’re looking for if you just want a basic phone. Otherwise you’re better served by a Pro.

but how is it form over function when it does the same as the other phones barring the cameras? I don’t want a basic phone and have been using Pros for years - that’s my point, what functionality is missing that I’m so far unaware of?

 

[MaxVerstappen]

I can't see the iPhone Air becoming a best seller. As much as I like the phone, it's the best one since the iPhone X in my opinion. I can see it more as of a niche product the same way the original 12" MacBook was. Some people loved it some people hated it.

 

[Cyberguycpt]

but how is it form over function when it does the same as the other phones barring the cameras? I don’t want a basic phone and have been using Pros for years - that’s my point, what functionality is missing that I’m so far unaware of?

I think it comes down to the price, it $999 vs $799 and what does it offer more than the $799 phone. They probably should have made it $899 instead. Many of us with Pros aren’t that worried about Price but most people are looking for the perceived “Cheap/Free” phone. When you’re a parent paying for multiple phones it adds up.

 

[Cyberguycpt]

I can't see the iPhone Air becoming a best seller. As much as I like the phone, it's the best one since the iPhone X in my opinion. I can see it more as of a niche product the same way the original 12" MacBook was. Some people loved it some people hated it.

Man the X was a Game Changer. That’s why when people are saying the Air is the best phone made I have to take it with a grain of salt do to their enthusiasm.