New iPhones See 'Stronger Than Expected' Demand With One Exception

[HVDynamo]

The Air is crippled in its current form. Slow USB speeds, one speaker, basic camera, and battery isn't the best. Also, the 2tb models of the Pro Max is still plenty in stock, at least locally in Houston. Perhaps not as many people need that storage capacity as thought.

I want a 2TB phone, but I don’t $2000 want it. I also want it in the Pro, I’m not a Pro Max fan.

 

[MrMojo1]

The 17 models have Promotion now and it would've been nice to have a bigger screen and battery size, similar to the Pro Max but with a more basic camera, which is more sufficient for general users. Also, the bigger screen is much appreciated for those with aging eyes or those with prescription glasses.
If there was a 17 Plus, I'd choose that one.
Still have my 13 Pro Max with ~87% battery life after >3 yrs so will keep it and get a new battery replacement when the time comes as the phone meets my needs.
Just upgraded to iOS 18.7.1. Hopefully, Apple will keep support the 13 model for another ~2~3 yrs or so.

 

[mathiasinthe314]

The iPhone Air will not do well in its first year. It's simply too compromised with a single camera and earpiece speaker. I expect stronger sales once Apple can add a second camera and speaker.

All Apple has to do is throw on an Ultrawide lens and it's mine next year.

 

[JPack]

Not being able to sell the Air in China was probably the biggest blow. All the items in stock had to be relocated to other countries.

Nobody in China was looking forward to this thing. It lacks battery life, which is really important in a fully digital economy where you can only pay using QR codes. It's eSIM only as well.

Air has been available since day one in Hong Kong. Nobody is buying it, not locally, not for reselling across Asia or Middle East.

 

[macbookj0e]

Consumers want the best battery life they can get today. They compare against today's lineup, not against a 2 year old iPhone.

It's like saying, "nobody had issues with A15 or A16 when it was released." Why do you think people disliked iPhone 14 and 15? Nobody wants to hear their phone is only as good as last year's tech.

View attachment 2562756

Yes you’re right. I’m just saying for the majority of people the battery is fine for all day use and isn’t an issue as many say it is.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Counter-anecdote; at both Apple stores I went to over the weekend, people were handling and ooing and aahing at the Airs. Especially the white one. Funny enough, only the Pro Max and white Air were out of stock.

How was the Vision Pro table?

(JUST KIDDING! AVP fans relax)

 

[tomtad]

I think the iPhone Air is not selling as well as Apple hoped because all the commercials I've been seeing are about the Pro. They are simply not marketing the Air well, which is why the mini failed.

Also, the haters on the internet who are not appreciating the Air for what it is influences people as well.

I disagree. It’s a $1000 phone with a feature set that’s worse than a $800 phone. Yes the design is fresh but it’s riddled with compromises and while some may trade features for design, generally people don’t want to pay more for it on top.

Being the middle child is always difficult. Your average consumer will either be happy with the regular model, or if they want the best will pony up for that. The Air falls into neither camp.

 

[mdatwood]

The Air is crippled in its current form. Slow USB speeds,

ROFL. I wonder how many people have ever transferred files using a cable to and from their iPhone. Even Apple enthusiasts you find on this forum have likely never done a file transfer over a cable. I can't remember the last time I plugged my iPhone in for anything other than charging or CarPlay.

The Pro line where people are using it to shoot feature length movies it can make sense, but even then it's a small subset of people. I'm surprised there's still any port at all on phones other than the Pro.

 

[Macbookey]

That’s what the iPhone Air is missing: a bit of soul, a bit of character.

Could say the same for modern . I know they could have had a more compelling first gen Air if they weren’t so obsessed with bean counting and margins. Second camera and speakers would avoid the average consumer seeing, experiencing, or hearing about a lesser iPhone. I personally love the Air exists, and look forward to hands on with the assumption it is my next iPhone, but I know there was a point where “good enough” created “half-assed” to save it for the next cycle.

 

[aggravated_raspberry]

While it matters if it absolutely tanks, I don't think it matters that the demand is relatively weak. It's a great story, attracts interest and shows innovation (even with trade offs). The halo effect on other iPhones and Apple generally makes that worth it for a company who can afford it.

 

[Sully]

I get really sad when I see things like this. I bought the Air, and I have never been happier with a phone in my life. I'd been waiting for Apple to replicate the delicate features of a really nice high-end phone like Samsung used to do back in the day, and they have finally done it. Yes, it doesn't have three cameras, but the one it does have is impressive. Sure, it only has one speaker, but to be honest, I'm not that guy on the subway blaring my Socials as if nobody else is in the room. I use my headphones... so it's not really an issue. I'm just upset that all reviewers have focused SO HEAVILY on what it DOESN'T have that it has turned people off. This phone is truly marvelous, and it's a shame that people think they need a $ 1,500 device. And I've said this before... generally speaking, it is the people who already have really high-end secondary cameras/video cameras that are trashing this device. It's kind of silly. It's a communication device, and it feels better in-hand than any iPhone ever has. I lament that this may be the only version ever sold of this phone... but it shouldn't be.

I’ve seen a few people posting about having two new devices. What’s your use case for having two new iPhones? Does an employer pay for one of them?

 

[El Cabong]

I think the iPhone Air is not selling as well as Apple hoped because all the commercials I've been seeing are about the Pro. They are simply not marketing the Air well, which is why the mini failed.

Also, the haters on the internet who are not appreciating the Air for what it is influences people as well.

Ridiculous take. The Air isn't complicated - what it is is (marginally) thinner and (marginally) lighter than the base 17, while being more expensive and having fewer cameras. You think people don't do any research before spending ~$1000 on a phone? There's a reason people are returning their Airs for Pros and base 17's, and it isn't because they don't understand what lightness/thinness is.

 

[AlexESP]

The iPhone Air could of course be a failure. But it’s funny to read complex hypotheses around an estimation like this one, when we know they’re random numbers that are wrong most of the time. The fact that one of the two supposed factors is “shipping estimates on Apple's online store” is already a red flag.

 

[ghostface147]

ROFL. I wonder how many people have ever transferred files using a cable to and from their iPhone. Even Apple enthusiasts you find on this forum have likely never done a file transfer over a cable. I can't remember the last time I plugged my iPhone in for anything other than charging or CarPlay.

The Pro line where people are using it to shoot feature length movies it can make sense, but even then it's a small subset of people. I'm surprised there's still any port at all on phones other than the Pro.

Me. It’s horrifically slow updating over wireless. Especially gigs of info on a regular basis. I shoot in 4k/60 fps.

 

[FriendlyMackle]

Doesn't bode well for the iFold. I know I'm comparing two different devices but, just like the Air, the iFold will cost more for a lot of compromises (including a plastic screen and TouchID). I think Apple will struggle to hit a sub-$2,000 base price. Folding phones are part niche device, part gimmick. I think the "clamshell" design could end up taking a huge market share over the next decade but I don't think that many people are interested in having an iPhone and iPad in one device except for those whose phone is their only internet connection and have limited data in hotspot mode.View attachment 2562725

I have seen several fold devices from other manufacturers, and I see the appeal—for whomever can really get the form factor right, and overcome the screen fold depression area, this could appeal to a wider market. If anyone can do it (with our current technology), I think Apple will succeed.

The question of affordability is real, and I agree that the folding phone/pad probably will not cost less than $2K (ok, $1999). But for many people, that might be acceptable, if they are considering the cost of an iphone and an ipad mini together ($1599 + $499 = $2200). So a similar cost, but (possibly) added mobility, with one device, rather than two.

What I find most appealing in terms of a folding phone is the tri-fold screen, one of the Chinese makers (Oppo?) has produced. It unfolds into a properly 4/3 dimension screen (roughly), while having a normal closed/folded screen ratio.

 

[AlexESP]

I actually love the Air.
But let’s be honest — it’s not selling well, and that’s not just because of the obvious compromises. I really think the marketing team dropped the ball here.

The launch video? Super serious. No spark, no humor, no fun. It felt like it was designed only to make people go “Whoa!” — but not in a way that connects emotionally. It’s all just:
“It’s so tough! Look at our engineering! The camera works! The battery lasts!”
Cool... but that’s kind of the bare minimum, isn’t it?

There’s nothing that makes you feel anything. No sense of cleverness or charm. Remember the old MacBook Air ad? The one with “I’m a new soul living in a strange world...” — it had personality. It made you smile. It made you want the thing, even if you didn’t need it.

That’s what the iPhone Air is missing: a bit of soul, a bit of character.

I think the opposite: the introduction video was very representative of the best of Apple. Totally unlike a generic marketing video.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

It's crazy how people on here react to new form factors or to Apple trying things.

 

[awshucks]

Ridiculous take. The Air isn't complicated - what it is is (marginally) thinner and (marginally) lighter than the base 17, while being more expensive and having fewer cameras. You think people don't do any research before spending ~$1000 on a phone? There's a reason people are returning their Airs for Pros and base 17's, and it isn't because they don't understand what lightness/thinness is.

I know it has compromises, but people do not appreciate the air for its uniqueness. Literally everyone years ago used one camera and was happy. However, people are less content with phones now than they used to be.

The battery is not a compromise at all when you consider it has nearly identical battery life to the 16 Plus and 16 Pro.

 

[JPack]

I think the iPhone Air is not selling as well as Apple hoped because all the commercials I've been seeing are about the Pro. They are simply not marketing the Air well, which is why the mini failed.

Also, the haters on the internet who are not appreciating the Air for what it is influences people as well.

So what's the reason the base 17 is outselling compared to expectations?

We're hearing the same excuses during the mini era.

There weren't enough iPhone mini ads. The SE2 stole the thunder from iPhone mini. People staying at home didn't appreciate a small phone. Once they touched the iPhone mini in store, sales would rocket.

 

[delsoul]

Nobody in China was looking forward to this thing. It lacks battery life, which is really important in a fully digital economy where you can only pay using QR codes. It's eSIM only as well.

Air has been available since day one in Hong Kong. Nobody is buying it, not locally, not for reselling across Asia or Middle East.

This is true. And battery life is extremely important. There’s practically zero places to plug in and charge while out n about in China. External batteries are a huge market there for this reason. It doesn’t help that the Air requires a proprietary Apple external battery. Plus, many of the required apps to make it through the day there are major battery killers (constantly running processes in the background, mapping locations, etc). Imagine you have 4+ heavy resource intensive apps running at full steam 24/7…you can see how fast your battery drains. The phone with the bigger battery will always win at this point.

 

[dead.cell]

Maybe an unpopular opinion, but I don't think consumers are that "smart", as much as they are unwilling to go w/ something unfamiliar.

The amount of times I've heard someone talk about upgrading their phone and asking them which one they'll get is so often met with "I dunno, whatever is the newest for what I have now..."

It's easy as tech enthusiasts to forget that some people really don't care about phones or technology to that degree.

 

[JPack]

I know it has compromises, but people do not appreciate the air for its uniqueness. Literally everyone years ago used one camera and was happy. However, people are less content with phones now than they used to be.

The battery is not a compromise at all when you consider it has nearly identical battery life to the 16 Plus and 16 Pro.

People buy phones to use them, not appreciate their uniqueness. Hence, consumers want reliable features. They want to take a variety of photos to communicate. They want battery life that lasts (forever, if possible).

Nobody wants to hear their brand new iPhone has the same battery life as last year's iPhone. Why do you think people hated it when Apple put last year's chip into iPhone 14 and 15?

 

[Genelec8341]

Spot-on. Sadly, that's a forum tradition going back 20 years.

Starting with iPod ("Who asked for a thousand songs in your pocket?") And then iPhone ("Who asked for a non-mechanical keyboard?"). Followed by iPad ("It's just a big iPhone"). And then Apple Watch (If I need to know the time I'lll just look at my iPhone.)

I still live by that last one.

 

[JosephAW]

Should’ve done the 17 air as a mini for $499.

 

[ZeroInspo]

Sweet.
Next time I will be asking you personally to help me express my thoughts in a language that isn't mine.

I may be of help if you speak Spanish as your native tongue, but honestly it’s a fair point and it was not something I considered, so sorry for being a dick even though I myself am not a native English speaker. If I were you I would consider giving your AI instructions to write in a natural, conversational manner and to translate as directly as possible what you wrote (I know that at least ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini support this).