iPhone Air iPhone Air Lack of Popularity

[surferfb]

We won't see representative numbers until around December.

The early adopters are more skewed towards buying the Air. But as time goes on, the less risk tolerant mainstream buyers will enter the fold. They're far less likely to choose the Air because of obvious reasons. We're already seeing this as all Air colors and storage configurations are now available for immediate shipping.

That could absolutely be the case, but I think you could also make an argument that early adopters are overwhelmingly overrepresented by tech enthusiasts who are more likely to choose the Pro phones, and that people who buy their phone at the carrier store will go in, pick up the device, and opt for it because it's (IMO) so much nicer in hand.

I know anecdotes are not data, but Ben Thompson of Stratechery fame shared on Dithering yesterday that he ordered a 17 Pro, was out and happened to go into an Apple Store, picked up the Air and almost immediately opted to return the Pro for the Air despite having previously saying on multiple occasions that he didn't know who it was for and that the he couldn't "tolerate the thought of running out of battery."

Will that be everyone? No. I personally think the Air will be the least-popular model, as much as I love mine. But as someone who has held all 4 phones (Air, 17, Pro, Pro Max) and spent significant time with two of them (Air and Pro) and is coming from a Pro Max, I could see an iPhone Air being more popular than many on here think.

 

[Macdctr]

Only time will tell if the Air is a popular iPhone for the mass consumer base or not. As for myself, I didn’t rely on YouTube reviews from content creators as much as I prefer seeing what they put out, the pros and cons, of iPhone Air ownership and use then I, the consumer, can decide if the trade offs are worth getting this new iPhone.

I’m coming from my 15 Pro Max and have enjoyed using that iPhone for a few years but decided I had enough carrying a heavier iPhone and was interested in the new Air as a result. To me the new Pro series are clunky, reminds me of my original chunky iPhone, and use of aluminum, which easily scratches and dents was a huge turnoff for me. I always got the maxed out iPhone and the thought of shelling out $2k for a phone that scratches up and shows dents if you accidentally drop it was not appealing to me. For me the Air was a clear choice with its A19 Pro processor and premium titanium frame. Again this is my take on things.

 

[JPack]

That could absolutely be the case, but I think you could also make an argument that early adopters are overwhelmingly overrepresented by tech enthusiasts who are more likely to choose the Pro phones, and that people who buy their phone at the carrier store will go in, pick up the device, and opt for it because it's (IMO) so much nicer in hand.

I know anecdotes are not data, but Ben Thompson of Stratechery fame shared on Dithering yesterday that he ordered a 17 Pro, was out and happened to go into an Apple Store, picked up the Air and almost immediately opted to return the Pro for the Air despite having previously saying on multiple occasions that he didn't know who it was for and that the he couldn't "tolerate the thought of running out of battery."

Will that be everyone? No. I personally think the Air will be the least-popular model, as much as I love mine. But as someone who has held all 4 phones (Air, 17, Pro, Pro Max) and spent significant time with two of them (Air and Pro) and is coming from a Pro Max, I could see an iPhone Air being more popular than many on here think.

I agree hand feel is important, but the Air has three things against it: price, battery life, and camera. If it had only one or two things, maybe it would have a better fighting chance.

Non-tech enthusiasts around the world will most likely make a safe choice. Not all stores allow for returns or exchanges. Even those that do, it’s still a big hassle.

In that situation, it’s really tough to picture mainstream buyers risking it with the Air.

 

[surferfb]

I agree hand feel is important, but the Air has three things against it: price, battery life, and camera. If it had only one or two things, maybe it would have a better fighting chance.

Non-tech enthusiasts around the world will most likely make a safe choice. Not all stores allow for returns or exchanges. Even those that do, it’s still a big hassle.

In that situation, it’s really tough to picture mainstream buyers risking it with the Air.

I actually think I agree with you, but just wanted to play a bit of devil's advocate.

I do think there is a large enough market for it to continue (unlike the Mini), but my (probably wrong) theory is that Version 2 gets the second camera and second speaker and iPhone Air becomes the base phone in a year or two (kinda like how MacBook Air is the base model Mac laptop). Would fit with "iPhone 18 is getting released in Spring 27, not Fall 26" rumors.

 

[Webcat86]

2. 2 cameras and LiDAR similarly to what iPad Pros used to have

what do they have now?

 

[ArchEtech]

Make an air that doesn’t need a case and had a bit more camera capability and I don’t think anyone would care about battery life. I know I sure wouldn’t.

 

[PaladinGuy]

It definitely has a surprising feel and look to it. Without a case, I think I could maybe get used to the width of it. However, as someone that has never used the Max or Plus models, it is definitely larger than what I’m used to using. With any case, I am not sure if it would be too uncomfortable for one-handed use for me.

The speaker also really was bad when I tried it, in my opinion. Even for occasional use, I am not sure it’s good enough for me.

Battery life is hard to know without using it for several days. The fact that they released a dedicated battery pack for it doesn’t make me feel super confident. Obviously, whether it’s enough or not will come down to every individual’s use/needs.

I definitely like the materials on it best. Not sure I’d want to drop it much more than the Pro though. Titanium will still show scratches and scuffs.

 

[4sallypat]

I agree hand feel is important, but the Air has three things against it: price, battery life, and camera. If it had only one or two things, maybe it would have a better fighting chance.

Non-tech enthusiasts around the world will most likely make a safe choice. Not all stores allow for returns or exchanges. Even those that do, it’s still a big hassle.

In that situation, it’s really tough to picture mainstream buyers risking it with the Air.

My Air has 3 positive things for me:

Lower price point than the 16 Pro I came from.
Better battery life than the 16 Pro.
Camera I rarely use - it's a point & shoot instamatic for me - nothing fancy needed.

 

[surferfb]

Make an air that doesn’t need a case and had a bit more camera capability and I don’t think anyone would care about battery life. I know I sure wouldn’t.

Needs a case? I’d actually argue that it not only doesn’t need a case, my controversial hot take you shouldn’t use one with it.

 

[Jmausmuc]

I have had the air for 2 weeks now and it’s amazing. I recommended it to my brother and a coworker and they also got it now and are enthusiastic.

It just feels different. I can see why spec lovers don’t like it and that’s fine but for me there was no way I’d get a thick chunky phone just because of a better speaker or multiple cameras I barely use.

Battery life is way better than I had expected.

I think the air is still not selling way because most people are risk adverse and there was a lot of doubt floating around before the release.

That said, early adopter types like me who have had the iPhone since the OG 2G version of course want the air.

 

[Garethe86]

I'm absolutely loving the Air, almost 2 weeks later and it's still a pleasure to hold/use, it also survived it's first fall off the bed onto the concrete floor and NOTHING! I don't do much with the camera but the few pics I have taken were fine, it's not going to win any awards, especially when I'm the one doing the photographing (I was out of the room when those skills were passed out). And with all the talk about the speaker, I'm used to it now and it's perfectly fine for phone calls, youtube, etc.

 

[4sallypat]

I have had the air for 2 weeks now and it’s amazing. I recommended it to my brother and a coworker and they also got it now and are enthusiastic.

It just feels different. I can see why spec lovers don’t like it and that’s fine but for me there was no way I’d get a thick chunky phone just because of a better speaker or multiple cameras I barely use.

Battery life is way better than I had expected.

I think the air is still not selling way because most people are risk adverse and there was a lot of doubt floating around before the release.

That said, early adopter types like me who have had the iPhone since the OG 2G version of course want the air.

Yes, agree, people are creatures of habit and change is difficult.

Love my Air - so far 2 weeks in and enjoying the thin, light design w/ gobs of battery life.

 

[thatJohann]

love the Air and currently using it. My only turn off is that phone gets warm under the camera plateau. Not a dealbreaker but wish it ran cool 100% of the time given all I do is text and browse a few apps. No gaming or anything heavy.

Then again I understand that the entire components are shoved in that camera bar and that titanium is not good for heat and that getting warm when using it is normal.

I think iOS 26 is the major culprit of not running as cool as it could. Anyway that’s my only turn off. Everything else is perfect to me. Feels amazing to hold even a week later.

 

[GZR]

Here in the UK Very have been giving 10% credit to the account for the Air for the last week (making the 256GB Air ~£900) and have extended it for a further week. It's pretty much unheard of for them to do an offer on a high end iPhone this close to release and points at low demand. Usually it would be the base iPhone that has an offer first a couple of months after release and the Pro the following calendar year.

Despite this, the base phone is still outselling it by over 4:1, I only checked black as that is what I want.

I managed to handle both in a restricted fashion in Curry's as they are clamped down so you can't get a full on in hand feel. I love the Air (it made the 17 feel like a brick) and I think the updated Air next year will be incredible but for me it's not quite there yet. I can't wait and need a new phone now so I will probably get the 17 at first discount.

 

[ab2c4]

I'm absolutely loving the Air, almost 2 weeks later and it's still a pleasure to hold/use, it also survived it's first fall off the bed onto the concrete floor and NOTHING! I don't do much with the camera but the few pics I have taken were fine, it's not going to win any awards, especially when I'm the one doing the photographing (I was out of the room when those skills were passed out). And with all the talk about the speaker, I'm used to it now and it's perfectly fine for phone calls, youtube, etc.

I often wonder with how the Air weighs less if that will have a higher chance of surviving drops. Do you have a case your Air, or a screen protector?

 

[Cyberguycpt]

Here in the UK Very have been giving 10% credit to the account for the Air for the last week (making the 256GB Air ~£900) and have extended it for a further week. It's pretty much unheard of for them to do an offer on a high end iPhone this close to release and points at low demand. Usually it would be the base iPhone that has an offer first a couple of months after release and the Pro the following calendar year.

Despite this, the base phone is still outselling it by over 4:1, I only checked black as that is what I want.

I managed to handle both in a restricted fashion in Curry's as they are clamped down so you can't get a full on in hand feel. I love the Air (it made the 17 feel like a brick) and I think the updated Air next year will be incredible but for me it's not quite there yet. I can't wait and need a new phone now so I will probably get the 17 at first discount.

Hey, OP Back or as Cardi B says in her latest song, “Hello It’s Me ”, well, I’m still standing firm in my original statement here. Ive seen examples of evidence from YTubers like MkHB and even on this forum, that my assertion may have some credibility.

That being said what scares me is I keep hearing how the Air is the future of Apple and as someone anxiously awaiting the Foldable IPhone I hope Apple isn’t getting the idea that we will except a phone with compromises as long as it has a new form factor. And whether you agree or not there are some. With the Fold being estimated to be around $2000 it better be an above Pro level phone with more battery, more camera, and more speakers.

With that being said I’m happy that many of you here have found that the Air is the perfect fit for you. One of the things Apple and the IPhone has done wrong for many years is not having many options. I hope in the coming years we can all exist in its ecosystem without fighting or waging war over our options or opinions.

 

[Garethe86]

I often wonder with how the Air weighs less if that will have a higher chance of surviving drops. Do you have a case your Air, or a screen protector?

Just a screen protector and the drop was probably no more than 2 feet.

 

[Thor_9]

thick chunky phone

You mean bag phones from the 90s?

think the air is still not selling

Because it has less capability and costs more than the 17 base model.

 

[Tsepz]

what do they have now?

They now have 1 rear camera then LiDAR sensor below the camera, then another sensor (not sure if it has ever been confirmed what that sensor or larger microphone is to the right of the camera).

 

[Webcat86]

They now have 1 rear camera then LiDAR sensor below the camera, then another sensor (not sure if it has ever been confirmed what that sensor or larger microphone is to the right of the camera).View attachment 2562777

I have an M4 Pro and did not know this 😆

 

[ignitedvelocity]

They now have 1 rear camera then LiDAR sensor below the camera, then another sensor (not sure if it has ever been confirmed what that sensor or larger microphone is to the right of the camera).

Rear-facing ambient light sensor.

 

[Tsepz]

I have an M4 Pro and did not know this 😆

Lol! Yeah I don’t think most people will and in all honesty it doesn’t matter as you are likely not going to use the iPad Pro camera much over your iPhone or other smartphone.

Rear-facing ambient light sensor.

Ahhh there we go!
I think iPhones also have it but it is housed within the Flash itself (from iPhone 14 and up) from what I have read on Reddit.

 

[super chimp]

According to analysts from investment bank Morgan Stanley, Apple is bound to imminently increase production of the iPhone 17 series. For 2025, it will up the order from 84-86 million units to a number in the low 90 millions.

…

as demand for the iPhone Air has so far been lower than predicted.But, if this report is accurate, Apple underestimated how many people would want to buy a Pro or Pro Max, and is now going to adapt to increased market demand for those models.

My bolding.

Apple now expected to increase iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max production

They're selling better than anticipated, while the iPhone Air is doing worse. According to analysts from investment bank Morgan Stanley, Apple is bound to...

m.gsmarena.com