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iPhone Air Leak says Apple already pausing iPhone Air (parts) production

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huanbrother

huanbrother

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Dec 20, 2012
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According to a Weibo leaker (from the supply chain):

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Exclusive — Apple is halting production of the iPhone Air due to weaker-than-expected overseas demand and a delayed launch in China. The production line has already stopped pre-production, meaning existing component inventory is considered sufficient to cover anticipated orders.

At present, Apple is shifting to a “build-to-order” state — a stage it usually only reaches after around one year of regular sales.

Note: The tip “前加工制程件停产” means that the components required for iPhone Air have temporarily stopped production, since the parts already produced are sufficient for initial assembly. It does not mean that iPhone Air devices themselves have been completely discontinued.

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This is exactly what I said months ago. The iPhone Air was never a real product line, just a filler to block Plus from becoming too good and hurting Pro Max. Production halt only proves the point.
It’s just another iPhone 5C, period.
 
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Fixed Focus has a pretty decent good track record.

This suggests Apple has a very good idea of foreseeable demand, which aligns what we've seen globally in terms of sales performance.

Air feels a lot like Vision Pro - something designed for Apple by Apple. It's a demonstration of great engineering and Apple leaders love it, but doesn't match with real world demand.
 
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As expected, eSIM only will make it a much tougher sell in China for obvious reasons. iPhone Air sacrifices quite a bit to achieve thinness and somehow manages good durability, yet iPhone Pro and Pro Max are just as popular as before. Most Customers still largely favour a more complete iPhone experience over absolutely light weight devices with sacrifices.

Yes iPhone Air is not for everyone but I would not call it iPhone 5C. iPhone 5C being iPhone 5C is Apple aimlessly attempting to appease lower end markets to no avail. See how successful iPhone SE 1st gen is. iPhone Air is more of a concept product happens to be released to the market. It demonstrates Apple’s engineering prowess, and people appreciate it as such I think.
 
This is all due to the agreement Apple made to limit production with three I atlas so that they don’t release too much proprietary technology to the people.
 
No Air next year I suspect. Foldable iPhone will replace it. The Air is a beta product, simply there to test the waters and fund the foldable iPhone.
 
Actual demand in China:

www.bloomberg.com

Apple’s iPhone Air Receives Muted Reception in China Debut

Apple Inc.’s iPhone Air went on sale in China on Wednesday, eliciting a subdued consumer response in the world’s biggest smartphone arena.
www.bloomberg.com www.bloomberg.com


Some people were still hanging on to the idea "it sold out immediately online in China" without considering the context. The regulators mandated a last minute change to the eSIM firmware, which meant zero inventory was built up in China.
 
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