Not necessarily. I have never had an iPhone Pro and will happily be upgrading to a regular iPhone 17 which has just about any parameter better than Air, apart from its thickness.
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New iPhones See 'Stronger Than Expected' Demand With One Exception
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Not necessarily. I have never had an iPhone Pro and will happily be upgrading to a regular iPhone 17 which has just about any parameter better than Air, apart from its thickness.
Imho, Apple should have continued with the 'plus' phones. An iPhone 17 plus with pro motion would have been fantastic, and sold more than the Air.
I wonder if the Air will make a second year?
I wonder if the Air will make a second year?
Like the MacBook Air, the iPhone air will be a discounted and crippled version of higher end models.
I’m a tech enthusiast (been programming since TRS-80 Model I was a thing) and I’m excited it’s gotten to the point one can look at colors and form factors to make decisions instead of fine-toothed comb spec analysis. Unless one has a specific need (pro-res RAW at max quality for example), they can pick the form factor and color that appeals to them.
It will. It’s gonna be called the iPhone fold.
people who are interested in that type of device are quite likely the iPad mini users who also have an iPhone. I know for sure I will be that person.
Well, I mean my iPhone air is playing destiny rising with the same performance as the pro max device.
The threat of the Plus is probably the one of the reasons why Apple didn't continue with it.
Imagine if the 17 Plus carried the same upgrades as the base 17.
17 Plus: 6.9-inch ProMotion, 256GB, 35-hour battery life, $899. With a $300 jump to the Pro Max, people will start asking if they really need that extra camera.
Yes, but the MacBook Air is their best selling notebook. Some people just want light and thin with less performance. Horses for courses.
I feel compelled to chime in here. A week ago, I had an opportunity to switch out my iPhone 16 Pro for an iPhone Air. I ALMOST said no because I thought I would miss the camera. But the truth is that I'm not a pro photographer, so I don't really utilize the camera that I had. My curiosity for the Air was just great enough that I was willing risk the possibility of that I might hate my phone for the next year.
Nearly two weeks after the iPhone 17 series launched, analysts at investment banking firm Morgan Stanley said demand for the devices has been "modestly stronger than we originally expected," based on a combination of extended shipping estimates on Apple's online store and information it gathered from Apple's supply chain.
There has been strong early demand for the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max, according to the analysts. However, they said the ultra-thin iPhone Air has faced "relative weakness" in demand so far.
"Our supply chain checks suggest an iPhone 17 build increase is likely imminent," wrote Morgan Stanley analyst Erik Woodring, in a research note today. In the second half of 2025, Apple's supply chain might increase its production of the new iPhones to more than 90 million units, up from 84 million to 86 million units currently, the note said.
Morgan Stanley has raised its price target for Apple shares to $298. However, analysts believe the company's stock price already reflects strong demand for the iPhone 17 series, and they would need to see even more upside "to argue for more sustained near-term stock outperformance." Apple's shares are trading for around $256 at the time of writing.
The analysts are bullish about iPhone shipments in 2026 and 2027, as Apple is widely expected to release its first foldable iPhone model in September next year.
"iPhones are getting old and Apple's biggest innovation in years less than 12 months away," the analysts wrote, in reference to the long-rumored foldable iPhone.
Article Link: New iPhones See 'Stronger Than Expected' Demand With One Exception
After one week with the iPhone Air, I can honestly say that I'm surprised, shocked even, at how much I LOVE it. I mean, I really didn't expect this. I do miss my macro photos in my work, but honestly, the Air's camera is perfectly suitable for most things. And the experience of just holding the iPhone Air (which I do a LOT more than take photos) is wonderful. I keep waiting for the fresh, new feeling to wear off, but it's only increased instead waning. True, it's only been a week, but I gotta put out some love for the iPhone Air amidst all the hate for it on here. So far, it's on track to becoming my favorite iPhone ever.
There's no compromise. It's an excellent product as is.
What do you all think is the main shortcoming of the Air contributing to low demand? Personally I think it's the mono speaker - I really think if they figured out a way to add one to the bottom it would sell a lot better. It's just such an integral part of the experience of using a phone.
The Air is available in China, it’s just one carrier at the moment but that will increase in time… 😉
I don't think it's about any specific feature: it's marketing and it's mindshare. Marketing, because Apple knows full well that this isn't going to be their blockbuster, so they're not really pushing it very hard. Mindshare, because most people already know that thinner means fewer features and shorter battery life -- they don't need a review nor Apple to tell them those things. And they likely extrapolate that into assuming that features that it does have aren't there, either.
Thus, for these two reasons, many people who might otherwise fall in love with it for what it is aren't even giving the Air a first glance let alone a fair shake, because of what they assume it isn't.
I think the Air will gain traction and be a surprise hit later in this cycle.
Most people who upgrade every year on Day 1 are the tech bros that want the biggest and most feature rich phones...which are the Pro's. You can't really judge the early sales numbers as an indication for the whole cycle. Every year the Pro's initially outsell the regular model. But then the regular model sales surpass the Pro sales by the end of the cycle.
I also think there is some initial skepticism of the Air. Some have questions about battery life, cameras, etc. Some people just want to stick with the tried and true. I believe this will slowly fade as more and more people buy it and share their positive results.
Most people who upgrade every year on Day 1 are the tech bros that want the biggest and most feature rich phones...which are the Pro's. You can't really judge the early sales numbers as an indication for the whole cycle. Every year the Pro's initially outsell the regular model. But then the regular model sales surpass the Pro sales by the end of the cycle.
I also think there is some initial skepticism of the Air. Some have questions about battery life, cameras, etc. Some people just want to stick with the tried and true. I believe this will slowly fade as more and more people buy it and share their positive results.
I would have been tempted if it was not for the lack of a second optical, a stereo speakers and the over heating is not a good idea as it gets pretty hot around here … also I am really excited for a Fold which hopefully will correct those issues … I am very concerned as Apple total lack of innovation when we know what we would rush for … Come on Apple …
Me too.
The days of everyone rushing to the latest iPhone at release are way in the past.
People are on any number of different upgrade cycles and schedules and the story won't be written on the Air for a good 6-9 more months.
It's for people who want to carry it in their front pants pocket with minimal discomfort. It's even better than the iPhone mini in this regard. It virtually disappears. It also has other benefits versus the iPhone 17 such as more memory (12 GB versus 8 GB), a faster processor (A19 Pro versus A19), a larger display 6.5 versus 6.3), and a lighter weight (165 grams versus 177 grams) . Read my MacRumors review and the reviews of other mini upgraders.
This might irk a lot of folks, but, majority of the buyers out there still see iPhone as a status symbol, so, when they spend their hard-earned money to buy one, they are going to go for the "Pro" models.
$100 more gets you:
So, yes, Air is expensive for what it offers but buyers can buy what they want. It's the same as many other things in life: sports car vs a family sedan, a luxurious apartment vs a house with lawn, etc.
$100 more gets you:
- two additional cameras whether you use it or not
- one extra speaker when most folks use headphones
- ProRes RAW recording when majority of iPhone users will never even go to Camera settings
- ProRAW when majority will never edit their photos
- USB3 speed when majority use the port only for charging
So, yes, Air is expensive for what it offers but buyers can buy what they want. It's the same as many other things in life: sports car vs a family sedan, a luxurious apartment vs a house with lawn, etc.
This won't stop me from buying an Air, I am so mentally finished with thick heavy brick phones.
I have to disagree with you here.
The physical height and width being so much more are far more of an issue for fronts pants than thickness, not to mention the Air being a lot heavier than a Mini.
I have a variety of pants and shorts pockets that don't even fully contain my 13 Mini (length is the issue). The Air would be a disaster for me in that regard and I'll also already find the 13 Mini heavier than I care for.
Totally get your points but the air’s battery is likely much improved vs your 12 pro, especially if it’s not the max.
Do not underestimate the importance of memory (RAM). It's nice when apps don't refresh and lose data such as when you start writing something but then realize you need to look something up in a different app. The iPhone Air has 12 GB versus only 8 GB for the iPhone 17. That's a major difference.
I'm pleased to see consumers reject a device with a reduced battery. Yes, I was criticized here for that line, with the "we have more options" argument. No, my friends: if the Air were a success, we'd have phones with smaller batteries in 2026 and fewer good phone options. It's so nice to have received fewer likes here, but I'm right.