Kuo: High Demand for iPhone 17 Models, But Questions Remain About iPhone Air

[cardfan]

Once people go into store and hold the Air by themselves then it will be easier to make up their minds , im one of those people, i like the Air but need to hold for myself to then decide which one to go for.

But then if you’re like the majority that use a phone case, it’s irrelevant what it looks like or how thin it might be. Also how comfortable is it to hold this phone without a case.

In the end it’s a low tier iPhone that’s marked up. The only reason to upgrade is for cameras and performance boosts in the pro line.

 

[azentropy]

The Galaxy 25 Edge is already being heavily discounted which possibly is foreshadowing poor sales of the Air as they share the same basic concept and form factor. And the 25 Edge even has some things that that Air does not (mainly better/more cameras).

Just not sure if "thinness" is enough of a benefit for a large number people to give up other features. We already know that "smallness and lightness" (the mini) wasn't. I think it is going to be a problem until Apple can solve the issue of making a smaller/lighter iPhone without the tradeoffs of losing features and battery life.

 

[zedsdead]

The only reason I didn’t get the Air was the camera system. Shame, because otherwise I really really want it. I don’t love the lack of a 2nd speaker either, but given how much use AirPods over the years I am not sure that matters anymore as much.

I also find the Max to be a little too big and the regular too small, so this size is probably perfect.

 

[MayaUser]

Unboxing

 

[tomtad]

But then if you’re like the majority that use a phone case, it’s irrelevant what it looks like or how thin it might be. Also how comfortable is it to hold this phone without a case.

In the end it’s a low tier iPhone that’s marked up. The only reason to upgrade is for cameras and performance boosts in the pro line.

I don't understand this argument. The iPhone Air in a case will still be thinner than a regular iPhone in a case.

 

[maxpipersid]

Air has too many compromises for its form factor.

I think it has too many compromises for its price, not form factor. This would have been a day one purchase for me if it was $699 as it should be given what it's missing compared to the pro models. I can easily afford it, but I also care about value, and it's just not here.

 

[MayaUser]

I don't understand this argument. The iPhone Air in a case will still be thinner than a regular iPhone in a case.

The air is for those who dont use case, design is everything with the Air

 

[Loismustdie1]

Anyone getting anything other than the base model 17 has got too much money to waste. You’ve everything you want in the base model - personal opinion.

Stop counting other people’s money and assuming their use case. I’m glad the the base model satisfies your needs but there are those who need the pros for more complex use cases.

 

[Spinarelo]

Potentially low air sales, low plus sales, low mini sales ... This spot is cursed.

Now how about a mini air? (fingers crossed)

I don't think combining 2 low selling products is going to suddenly make it a success lol. I feel bad for the mini folks, because you guys are really passionate about wanting smaller phones, but unfortunately there's just not enough of you for Apple to justify making them.

 

[brandon8419]

hopefully the Air bombs horribly, then Apple will finally realize the users want awesome battery and not some shmuck thin phone nobody asked for.

...it's almost as if people have options. It was made quite clear the battery life on the pro/pro max will be great.

 

[tyranne201]

I only use my phone to access macrumors, my bank account, send pics to ladies and check weather. I guess the air is enough for that. do u really need 4k raw?

 

[sam67uk]

I've a 15 Pro Max and wasn't interested in any of the 17 line up until I saw the Air. After the weekend deliberating about the compromises I'd make going with the Air, I decided to pre-order a 256GB in Cloud white. Time will tell if I regret my decision. Like many people, I was wowed by the design

 

[TechRunner]

the in-store hands-on experience could succeed in convincing customers to buy the device.

That's what would be the most compelling for me. It will be interesting to see how it reviews after a few months of user experience.

 

[Bfarmer38119]

Air reminds me of the iPhone X my favorite. Actually I don’t need the fancy cameras, more weight and bulky. Going with the Next program from ATT. If I decide it isn’t working out, I’ll get a new model next year. Air Blue arriving Friday morning according to my FedEx account.

 

[jdclifford]

hopefully the Air bombs horribly, then Apple will finally realize the users want awesome battery and not some shmuck thin phone nobody asked for.

Not ALL users have the same priority for their ideal iPhone. While battery life is certainly an important aspect of iPhone living, not everyone spends 24/7 streaming video or gaming. Remember it’s called an iPhone for a reason; you can actually call someone and talk to them when you’re out and about.

Don’t be surprised if you see another version of iPhone Air next year in the foldable form factor. Makes perfect sense to do so after seeing the Samsung Z Fold 7.

 

[fish09276]

Apple's new iPhone 17 models are proving to be more popular than their predecessors over the first pre-order weekend, both in terms of production and delivery times, but major questions remain about the success of the iPhone Air, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

In a new post on X, Kuo said that preorder demand for the iPhone 17 lineup has outpaced last year's iPhone 16 models. iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max production for the third quarter of this year is approximately 25% higher than their predecessors last year, alongside stronger pre-order demand across all three models. The iPhone 17 Pro Max remains the most in-demand model; production is approximately 60% higher than that of the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

The iPhone Air is the only model of the four new devices that is readily available at launch. While this superficially suggests even weaker demand than the iPhone 16 Plus saw last year, Kuo noted that production of the iPhone Air is set to be approximately 3x higher than that of the iPhone 16 Plus.

He added that there is no direct historical comparator for its positioning in the lineup, making it hard to assess how it will perform at this early stage. Kuo speculates that while the iPhone Air "doesn't look compelling on paper," the in-store hands-on experience could succeed in convincing customers to buy the device.

Article Link: Kuo: High Demand for iPhone 17 Models, But Questions Remain About iPhone Air

I find lots to like about the air. Big screen for watching vids, pro chip, 12 ram, easier to hold and carry. The good outweigh the supposed negative. Ill give up heavy for a few hours less of battery life

 

[kerr]

The iPhone Air is a means to an end. You can’t have a foldable iPhone without first having the Air.

 

[spunkystrawberries]

From some of these opinions, you’d think Apple only released the Air and no other models for other folks this year.

Nothing wrong with Apple differentiating their lineup for different needs and different wants. If the Air isn’t the phone for you, cool. Get a base or a Pro. I’m still happy with my decision to get an Air. Win win for all of us.

 

[DakotaGuy]

Potentially low air sales, low plus sales, low mini sales ... This spot is cursed.

Now how about a mini air? (fingers crossed)

A Mini Air? Imagine the battery life on that.

 

[blairh]

The Air will make a lot of its sales once consumers see it in person. No doubt.

 

[Simmias]

I pre-ordered an Air. I want a thin and light phone with a large screen - perfect for reading. My 15 Pro Max got way too heavy when reading for extended periods and was just a little too unwieldy for one handed use.

That said, similar to the iPhone mini, I’m not sure how well the Air will sell because of what I’d call the “SUV mindset” of the American consumer. Americans wants the BIGGEST, BADDEST, and BEST product the can buy. That’s why gigantic pickups and SUVs like the Ford F150 and Chevy Silverado are the best selling vehicles in the US every single year. Do people actually need the towing, hauling or off road capabilities of these bloated monsters? Nope. It’s more about ego and superiority and “what if someday I need to tow a giant boat” kind of thinking that drives people to buy them. It’s about having the one that bigger and tougher than anything else on the road. That’s why Americans will largely gravitate toward the Pro.

I just hope there’s enough of a market for the sleek European sports car of the Air to make it a success. I know it’s the one I prefer.

 

[fish09276]

I don't understand this argument. The iPhone Air in a case will still be thinner than a regular iPhone in a case.

How do you call low tier when it has promotion 12 GB of RAM and a pro chip so it only has one camera and one speaker. Plus it's got a 6.5 inch screen, which is pretty damn big and it's oled

 

[cardfan]

From some of these opinions, you’d think Apple only released the Air and no other models for other folks this year.

Nothing wrong with Apple differentiating their lineup for different needs and different wants. If the Air isn’t the phone for you, cool. Get a base or a Pro. I’m still happy with my decision to get an Air. Win win for all of us.

Doesn’t matter to me either. Have fun with your iPhone air. I’ll be trying out the cameras in the max. Seeing how it performs outside. Better speeds. Not having to charge as much with improved battery.

Air users? Well it’s so thin and light. Doesn’t do anything new though. I love how it looks. Oh what case you getting? lol.

 

[fish09276]

But then if you’re like the majority that use a phone case, it’s irrelevant what it looks like or how thin it might be. Also how comfortable is it to hold this phone without a case.

In the end it’s a low tier iPhone that’s marked up. The only reason to upgrade is for cameras and performance boosts in the pro line.

How can it be low tier with a pro chip 12 GB of RAM and a big beautiful screen

 

[maykiiii16]

iphone air has just way too many compromised to be desired. Yea, I know it's thin and light. The weight indeed is a plus for me. However, the thickness does nothing for me because the phone will always go into my pocket in my pants.... 3mm difference does nothing in my pocket. The only thing matter is when you are holding it and it's indeed lighter. But there are just way too much compromise for the reduction of weight.

I suspect a lot of people not choosing iphone air has the same judgement as mine. iphone mini was never a hit in terms of sales in the last 20 years.

It’s not just the weight that will make the experience different from every other iPhone that was ever released, it’s the combination of the weight, the thin-ness of the phone which makes it more manageable, and the bigger screen compared to the iPhone 17 or 17 Pro. It would be a completely different phone experience compared to the minis.

Honestly, some people don’t even care about losing the ultrawide, telephoto, or an extra speaker. You’re not always using the camera, blasting videos, or playing music out loud — but 90% of the time you’re simply using your phone, and what really matters is how it feels in your hand. People won’t understand the appeal of the Air until they actually try it in stores. I wouldn’t be surprised if someone walked in planning to buy a Pro or Pro Max but ended up taking home an Air instead.