iPhone Air Sales Are So Bad That Apple's Delaying the Next-Generation Version

[turbineseaplane]

7% might not sound like a lot, but when you are holding it in bed, or in your pocket the weight really matters.. unless you have lived with an air though you would be totally satisfied with the other phones. You don’t realize what a difference it is until you have one, then it is very hard to go back.

Totally agree!
It's a key reason, along with actual physical size, why some of us are so wedded to Mini phones, and some of us still clamor for even lighter and smaller (iPhone 5/5s/SE1).


iPhone 16e: 167 grams
iPhone Air: 165 grams

iPhone 13 Mini: 141 grams
iPhone SE1: 113 grams

 

[Zaft]

The faster processor doesn't mean much if it can't perform better than the base iphone. It doesn't because it's too thin and throttles. It has one camera. Mono speaker. These aren't "luxury" specs. The 5g is apple's new cellular chip that can't do ultra wide band. This isn't luxury. The worse battery life? Ultimate luxury right? Who the heck cares about titanium?? It goes in a case for most. The pro phone for 100 more eats this alive. Would you buy the macbook air for 100 less than a macbook pro that has much more going on? Just because its thinner? These are 1000+ devices that need to last as long as possible especially the battery. And like i said even the cheaper base iphone out performs this "luxury" marvel.

Another error is that right after this breathtaking thinner crap specs phone yet titanium announcement, Apple went all out gushing over performance in its redesigned pro phones with vapor chambers. Power. Pro. Battery. All 3 cameras finally on par with each other. 100 more. Why on earth would you pass on this and want the air?

I don’t mean to be too critical. Can it be redeemed? With the fold coming, it’s hard to see. Pros go up in price? Another camera isn’t helping the air significantly. Eliminating the base isn’t helpful. And why the vapor chambers if we don’t need that power for ai later? The air would be even worse later once Apple gets new Siri going. I’d argue the Air has to basically be the SE phone. Intro in spring. But the brand of it took a beating. Not sure it’s worth keeping around. Oh you got that phone no one wanted?

Jeez, relax buddy. I’m sure everyone knows spec wise the pro and base are better in most ways.

It just depends on what’s better for the individual person and if you’re ok with certain compromises.

 

[Krabba]

A note on “luxury” from my perspective which is shared by some here I know - polished titanium coupled with thin/light gives a “jewelry like” look and feel to the Air. Throw in the improved Ceramic Shield and Air is the sturdiest iPhone ever. Many don’t see these things as “features” but they absolutely are to those of us who value them and are willing to pay for them.

Having had a titanium or stainless steel phone for the past 8 years, I’m simply not going back to aluminum.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

The "luxury" argument is funny to me. Compare the Air to a luxury sports car, like a BMW M2 - yeah, it's smaller than their M4, and only has 2 doors... that's the point. Not everybody wants or needs the most cameras / speakers / battery volume that money can buy, just like not everyone needs 4 doors.

It's hard to imagine people want different things I guess.

 

[Kjabean]

The faster processor doesn't mean much if it can't perform better than the base iphone. It doesn't because it's too thin and throttles. It has one camera. Mono speaker. These aren't "luxury" specs. The 5g is apple's new cellular chip that can't do ultra wide band. This isn't luxury. The worse battery life? Ultimate luxury right? Who the heck cares about titanium?? It goes in a case for most. The pro phone for 100 more eats this alive. Would you buy the macbook air for 100 less than a macbook pro that has much more going on? Just because its thinner? These are 1000+ devices that need to last as long as possible especially the battery. And like i said even the cheaper base iphone out performs this "luxury" marvel.

Another error is that right after this breathtaking thinner crap specs phone yet titanium announcement, Apple went all out gushing over performance in its redesigned pro phones with vapor chambers. Power. Pro. Battery. All 3 cameras finally on par with each other. 100 more. Why on earth would you pass on this and want the air?

I don’t mean to be too critical. Can it be redeemed? With the fold coming, it’s hard to see. Pros go up in price? Another camera isn’t helping the air significantly. Eliminating the base isn’t helpful. And why the vapor chambers if we don’t need that power for ai later? The air would be even worse later once Apple gets new Siri going. I’d argue the Air has to basically be the SE phone. Intro in spring. But the brand of it took a beating. Not sure it’s worth keeping around. Oh you got that phone no one wanted?

There is little doubt the processor in the air runs circles around the regular 17. I’m not sure why you’re trying to pretend it does. It is a much faster chip. I’m playing assassins creed all the time and the phone flies. I have never noticed any throttling at all, you seem like you read some test somewhere where they got it to throttle but in the real world it is 20% faster. That was one torture test you are referring to and there are many, many tests showing even at gaming the air destroys the regular 17.

I’m not going to argue your other points, I just don’t agree at all. The air has shown to have better reception then any of the others and your worried about some bands that nobody ever uses?? Ok.

Btw, I own the 17pro, it doesn’t eat the air for breakfast, I don’t even know what that means. They both are very nice and using both there is very little difference. One has more camera trickery and is considerably heavier, that is the only differences that I ever really notice using both.

 

[RowellE]

I love my iPhone Air. Came from the 13 mini and thought I'd never let it go because I have small hands.

 

[Zaft]

There is little doubt the processor in the air runs circles around the regular 17. I’m not sure why you’re trying to pretend it does. It is a much faster chip. I’m playing assassins creed all the time and the phone flies. I have never noticed any throttling at all, you seem like you read some test somewhere where they got it to throttle but in the real world it is 20% faster. That was one torture test you are referring to and there are many, many tests showing even at gaming the air destroys the regular 17.

I’m not going to argue your other points, I just don’t agree at all. The air has shown to have better reception then any of the others and your worried about some bands that nobody ever uses?? Ok.

Btw, I own the 17pro, it doesn’t eat the air for breakfast, I don’t even know what that means. They both are very nice and using both there is very little difference. One has more camera trickery and is considerably heavier, that is the only differences that I ever really notice using both.

The network chip is definitely very nice.‘I came from a 12PM that has trouble holding a WiFi signal one of my rooms.

The air has full WiFi

 

[DDustiNN]

If that is true, why is Apple advertising six hours less battery on their own display tables in their own stores?

Not sure what you’re talking about but it’s right there on their website. YouTube battery tests also have it in par.

https://www.apple.com/iphone/compare/?modelList=iphone-16-pro,iphone-air

 

[turbineseaplane]

Not sure what you’re talking about but it’s right there on their website. YouTube battery tests also have it in par.

https://www.apple.com/iphone/compare/?modelList=iphone-16-pro,iphone-air

View attachment 2578974

I only realized later you were comparing to 16 series, my apologies. 👍

 

[Zaft]

This is just my experience coming from an iPhone 12PM.

I would say the biggest compromise is the camera. It basically breaks down after 4x zoom. I’m fine with it but some people will definitely not be.

Battery life has been far better the my 12PM.

The speaker is perfectly adequate. I don’t see what the issue is.

I don’t have a comparison for newer models.

It’s just so nice to hold. Fantastic feeling phone and incredibly well balanced and light.

 

[frownface]

This is just my experience coming from an iPhone 12PM.

I would say the biggest compromise is the camera. It basically breaks down after 4x zoom. I’m fine with it but some people will definitely not be.

Battery life has been far better the my 12PM.

The speaker is perfectly adequate. I don’t see what the issue is.

I don’t have a comparison for newer models.

It’s just so nice to hold. Fantastic feeling phone and incredibly well balanced and light.

curious, do people who buy the air use it caseless?

I always use a chunky defender style case on my phones so they're a good 12-15mm thick and adds about another 50 grams.
The premium finish of the phone gets lost under the layers of rubberised plastic. If i ever bought the air; it'd be no different and i'd lose all of the benefits of it.

 

[Zaft]

curious, do people who buy the air use it caseless?

I always use a chunky defender style case on my phones so they're a good 12-15mm thick and adds about another 50 grams.
The premium finish of the phone gets lost under the layers of rubberised plastic. If i ever bought the air; it'd be no different and i'd lose all of the benefits of it.

I purchased a nice slim one that keeps the form factor intact.

I would use it case less, but I have 2 kids under 6 years old….

 

[Krabba]

curious, do people who buy the air use it caseless?

I always use a chunky defender style case on my phones so they're a good 12-15mm thick and adds about another 50 grams.
The premium finish of the phone gets lost under the layers of rubberised plastic. If i ever bought the air; it'd be no different and i'd lose all of the benefits of it.

I do 98% of the time. I have a super thin Pitaka case that I use when I’m running, cycling, hiking with the dogs, etc. To me the beauty and form are “features” so I’d definitely go with a different model if I planned to use a thick case most of the time.

 

[Max Book]

This topic intrigued me so much I wrote a piece on it. If you like it, hire me ;-)

Would the iPhone Air Have Succeeded If Apple Had Positioned It Differently?​

by Max Book

When Apple unveiled the iPhone Air, the company clearly wanted to introduce a fresh design direction—something thinner, lighter, and more minimalistic than anything in the current lineup. On paper, it looked like a promising new branch of the iPhone family. In reality, it stumbled hard.

Sales were described as “underwhelming” within weeks, the tech community reacted lukewarmly, and recent reports even suggest that Apple may delay—or completely shelve—the second-generation model.

But here’s the thing: the iPhone Air didn’t fail because it was a bad device.
It failed because it was priced and positioned in the wrong tier.

And if Apple had placed it below the iPhone 17 instead of alongside it, the story today might be completely different.

---

A Premium Price Tag With Mid-Tier Trade-Offs​

The biggest issue with the iPhone Air was that Apple gave it the price tag of a Pro-adjacent device, but the specs of a mid-range one.

Consumers were asked to pay almost flagship prices for a phone that lacked:

• a telephoto camera
• top-tier speakers
• the 16 Pro’s battery endurance
• Pro-grade materials
• advanced camera hardware found on cheaper models

None of these trade-offs would have been dealbreakers—if the Air had been priced as a budget-conscious model.

But once the Air entered the same neighborhood as the 17 and 17 Pro, its compromises became impossible to ignore. Apple essentially put a design-first phone in a features-first price bracket, and buyers saw right through it.

---

The Air Brand Has Always Been About Smart Compromise​

Think about the products Apple calls “Air”:

• MacBook Air: the entry-level premium laptop
• iPad Air: the mid-range tablet
• AirPods: the consumer version of the Pro line

In every category, “Air” has historically meant:
lightweight, sleek, great value, not top-spec.

The iPhone Air didn’t follow that pattern.
Instead of being the new “iPhone for most people,” it was positioned as a fashion-forward alternative to the Pro models. But unlike the MacBook Air—where thinness and price combine to make a compelling story—the iPhone Air didn’t have a strong enough identity to justify its premium price.

---

A Missed Opportunity: The iPhone Air as a $699–$799 ‘Design Hero’​

If Apple had launched the Air at a lower price point—say, $699 or $799—the reaction would have been completely different.

At that price, “it’s thinner and lighter” becomes a selling point, not a compromise.

The narrative shifts from:

“Why is this weaker than the Pro but almost the same price?”

to:

“Wow, this feels like a $1,000 iPhone for hundreds less.”

Thinness and design become value adds, not reasons to complain.

And for a lot of buyers—especially those who don’t care about telephoto lenses or all-day video shooting—the Air would have become the obvious upgrade.

---

A Clearer Place in the Lineup​

Right now, Apple’s lower-tier lineup is a bit awkward:

• The base iPhone 17 is fine, but unremarkable.
• The Plus models appeal to a small group of large-screen fans.
• The iPhone SE is overdue for a real redesign.

The iPhone Air could have slotted perfectly into that middle ground:

A modern, lightweight, design-forward iPhone for the mainstream.

But priced where it was, the Air ended up competing with the Pro models—phones that simply offered more for similar money.

---

Would It Have Sold Better? Almost Certainly.​

If Apple had priced the Air as an entry-level premium device—the same way the MacBook Air dominates its category—there’s little doubt it would have performed significantly better.

It would have been:

• the best-looking phone in its price class
• the lightest premium phone Apple makes
• an easy upgrade for users on older iPhones
• a gateway for new buyers who don't need Pro features

Instead, the Air launched into a confusing space with an even more confusing proposition.

And when buyers aren’t sure why a device exists, they don’t buy it.

---

So What Happens Next?​

Reports suggest Apple has delayed or paused iPhone Air 2 development. Whether that’s temporary or permanent is unclear, but if the Air ever returns, Apple will need to rethink its identity.

A future iPhone Air that embraces its roots—lightweight, mainstream, affordable—could absolutely succeed.

But a “Pro-priced phone with non-Pro features”?
We already know how that story ends.

---

 

[lifeinhd]

I mean, we're basically in a recession if you remove AI spending. Those who have money are going to go with the iPhone Pro for $100 more. It's way more capable with a bigger battery and advanced camera system. Everyone else is going to go with a cheaper model. The base iPhone this year is actually quite capable for the price, and the SE is a solid device now. Perhaps in a stronger economy this device would do better, but for now people want the best bang for their buck, and the iPhone Air isn't it. It has some cool tech, but most people don't care.

What they really need to bring back is the iPhone mini. My wife has been waiting a long time to upgrade her iPhone 13 mini. I know it wasn't the most popular, but there would probably be a surge in demand since many people have been waiting. My aunt is also waiting for a new one, and she's on the 12 mini. And even so, it would probably be more popular than the Air. They don't need to bring out a new mini every year, but every 2-3 years would be nice for those who love it! And for those who are tiny or otherwise refuse to use a big phone.

I’m also waiting on a Mini. I’ll pay any price for it. Bonus points if it comes as thin as the Air.

 

[frownface]

This topic intrigued me so much I wrote a piece on it. If you like it, hire me ;-)

Too many compromises imho. Like discussed up the page; if they matched the hardware specs of the galaxy edge (bigger batt, second camera, stereo, physical sims, mmwave); it'd likely have killed the the base 17.

 

[zenmacx]

Totally agree!
It's a key reason, along with actual physical size, why some of us are so wedded to Mini phones, and some of us still clamor for even lighter and smaller (iPhone 5/5s/SE1).


iPhone 16e: 167 grams
iPhone Air: 165 grams

iPhone 13 Mini: 141 grams
iPhone SE1: 113 grams

Of the various iPhones I currently own, my 16e is a distinct favorite. It’s much more compact and enjoyable than my iPhone Air.

Compared to my work horse iPhone 16 Pro Max, it disappears in my pocket.

I would buy a new iPhone mini in a flash. Hello Apple?

 

[AlanBeyond]

I'd love to to meet the layperson who cares about vapor chambers and usb 3. The vast, vast majority of customers do not know or care about these "features"

No. If you ever game on your phone, you will see there's significant lower temperature of 17Pro than Air. Maybe people in the US rarely game on their phone, but for China, apple's 2nd largest market, over 70% of people game on their phones, and often are those which require great performance of the device, like genshin impact and LOL wild rift.

 

[ChrisMac47]

This topic intrigued me so much I wrote a piece on it. If you like it, hire me ;-)

Would the iPhone Air Have Succeeded If Apple Had Positioned It Differently?​

by Max Book

When Apple unveiled the iPhone Air, the company clearly wanted to introduce a fresh design direction—something thinner, lighter, and more minimalistic than anything in the current lineup. On paper, it looked like a promising new branch of the iPhone family. In reality, it stumbled hard.

Sales were described as “underwhelming” within weeks, the tech community reacted lukewarmly, and recent reports even suggest that Apple may delay—or completely shelve—the second-generation model.

But here’s the thing: the iPhone Air didn’t fail because it was a bad device.
It failed because it was priced and positioned in the wrong tier.

And if Apple had placed it below the iPhone 17 instead of alongside it, the story today might be completely different.

---

A Premium Price Tag With Mid-Tier Trade-Offs​

The biggest issue with the iPhone Air was that Apple gave it the price tag of a Pro-adjacent device, but the specs of a mid-range one.

Consumers were asked to pay almost flagship prices for a phone that lacked:

• a telephoto camera
• top-tier speakers
• the 16 Pro’s battery endurance
• Pro-grade materials
• advanced camera hardware found on cheaper models

None of these trade-offs would have been dealbreakers—if the Air had been priced as a budget-conscious model.

But once the Air entered the same neighborhood as the 17 and 17 Pro, its compromises became impossible to ignore. Apple essentially put a design-first phone in a features-first price bracket, and buyers saw right through it.

---

The Air Brand Has Always Been About Smart Compromise​

Think about the products Apple calls “Air”:

• MacBook Air: the entry-level premium laptop
• iPad Air: the mid-range tablet
• AirPods: the consumer version of the Pro line

In every category, “Air” has historically meant:
lightweight, sleek, great value, not top-spec.

The iPhone Air didn’t follow that pattern.
Instead of being the new “iPhone for most people,” it was positioned as a fashion-forward alternative to the Pro models. But unlike the MacBook Air—where thinness and price combine to make a compelling story—the iPhone Air didn’t have a strong enough identity to justify its premium price.

---

A Missed Opportunity: The iPhone Air as a $699–$799 ‘Design Hero’​

If Apple had launched the Air at a lower price point—say, $699 or $799—the reaction would have been completely different.

At that price, “it’s thinner and lighter” becomes a selling point, not a compromise.

The narrative shifts from:


to:


Thinness and design become value adds, not reasons to complain.

And for a lot of buyers—especially those who don’t care about telephoto lenses or all-day video shooting—the Air would have become the obvious upgrade.

---

A Clearer Place in the Lineup​

Right now, Apple’s lower-tier lineup is a bit awkward:

• The base iPhone 17 is fine, but unremarkable.
• The Plus models appeal to a small group of large-screen fans.
• The iPhone SE is overdue for a real redesign.

The iPhone Air could have slotted perfectly into that middle ground:

A modern, lightweight, design-forward iPhone for the mainstream.

But priced where it was, the Air ended up competing with the Pro models—phones that simply offered more for similar money.

---

Would It Have Sold Better? Almost Certainly.​

If Apple had priced the Air as an entry-level premium device—the same way the MacBook Air dominates its category—there’s little doubt it would have performed significantly better.

It would have been:

• the best-looking phone in its price class
• the lightest premium phone Apple makes
• an easy upgrade for users on older iPhones
• a gateway for new buyers who don't need Pro features

Instead, the Air launched into a confusing space with an even more confusing proposition.

And when buyers aren’t sure why a device exists, they don’t buy it.

---

So What Happens Next?​

Reports suggest Apple has delayed or paused iPhone Air 2 development. Whether that’s temporary or permanent is unclear, but if the Air ever returns, Apple will need to rethink its identity.

A future iPhone Air that embraces its roots—lightweight, mainstream, affordable—could absolutely succeed.

But a “Pro-priced phone with non-Pro features”?
We already know how that story ends.

---

That's a nice balanced article. Thanks for sharing. I agree that the Air should have been priced at the same or lower level than the regular 17.

But I still think Apple need to be creative and launch a smaller, lighter phone. The marketing of both the Crossbody Strap and the (ridiculous) Pocket is clear evidence that Apple realise their phones are big ... too big for pockets.

 

[Kjabean]

No. If you ever game on your phone, you will see there's significant lower temperature of 17Pro than Air. Maybe people in the US rarely game on their phone, but for China, apple's 2nd largest market, over 70% of people game on their phones, and often are those which require great performance of the device, like genshin impact and LOL wild rift.

I game on both my air and my 17pro, the air gets a tiny bit hotter after about twenty minutes.. it is never anything alarming though. I play mostly assassins creed and death stranding on them too. It us not that big a deal, people make a huge deal shot it but the air is just as great at gaming.. I love them both.

 

[fatTribble]

It just depends on what’s better for the individual person and if you’re ok with certain compromises.

The "luxury" argument is funny to me. Compare the Air to a luxury sports car, like a BMW M2 - yeah, it's smaller than their M4, and only has 2 doors... that's the point. Not everybody wants or needs the most cameras / speakers / battery volume that money can buy, just like not everyone needs 4 doors.

It's hard to imagine people want different things I guess.

Totally agree with you both!

People talk about the best car or best iPhone as though every person wants the same thing. We don’t.
Best means something different to each person.

In my experience, when people want to talk about something being the best, it’s likely they’re more worried about impressing their friends rather than how good the actual product is.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

I have an idea to generate more iPhone Air sales. Give customers the ever popular Vision Pro if they purchase an iPhone Air. 🥳

 

[ChrisMac47]

Totally agree with you both!

People talk about the best car or best iPhone as though every person wants the same thing. We don’t.
Best means something different to each person.

In my experience, when people want to talk about something being the best, it’s likely they’re more worried about impressing their friends rather than how good the actual product is.

That's why we need more choice. As far as I'm concerned, all four iPhones this year are "the same" ... all too large ... .

I live in hope that next year there will be a greater range, from an iPhone 6/8 weight and format (or perhaps iPhone 13mini format, but definitely lighter) to the heralded iPhone Fold. Let's give people a real choice, just like Apple did with the iPod.

 

[AAPLbuyback]

Right, because they don't pre build any of their inventory based on projected sales demand. Inventory cost money, reduces bottom line profit if it doesn't sell or has to be sold at a discount.

The will sell every one of them in inventory.

 

[zenmacx]

But I still think Apple need to be creative and launch a smaller, lighter phone. The marketing of both the Crossbody Strap and the (ridiculous) Pocket is clear evidence that Apple realise their phones are big ... too big for pockets.

I agree that Apple should offer a smaller phone.

However I believe that the Crossbody and Pocket accessories were not created because of the size and weight, but simply because Apple loves fashion.

Reality reveals flagship iPhones no bigger or heavier than many Android flagship phones.

Fashion accessories have generated huge profits for Apple and as such they will continue to create additional products and reap the rewards of appealing to the narcissistic side of their user base.