Report: 'Virtually No Demand' for iPhone Air

[MacRumors]

Apple is "drastically" cutting production of the iPhone Air and shifting focus toward the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro models, Nikkei Asia reports.

The business publication claims to have learned of a major cut to iPhone Air production motivated by weaker-than-expected consumer interest, nearly to "end of production levels." Despite early reports of the iPhone Air selling out within hours of launch in China, the overall reception has apparently been lukewarm in the region.

Combined with weak demand in other markets, sales projections have dropped significantly. Although Nikkei declined to disclose the full extent of the production cut or which suppliers will be affected, it says that the changes may be seen in Apple's supply chain in the coming months.

A new KeyBanc Capital Markets survey for investors reveals "virtually no demand for iPhone Air, and limited willingness to pay for a foldable." Demand for other iPhone 17 models is said to be healthy but measured, with the mix "continuing to shift toward Pro and Pro Max models." Moreover, AI features have yet to meaningfully influence buying decisions.

Last week, Japan's Mizuho Securities said that Apple will reduce iPhone Air production by one million units this year. Meanwhile, Apple apparently plans to increase production of iPhone 17 models by two million units. A separate report claimed that Samsung has canceled plans to release a successor to its own iPhone Air rival, the Galaxy S25 Edge, due to low sales.

Article Link: Report: 'Virtually No Demand' for iPhone Air

 

[CyberGene]

When I first saw the iPhone Air in a store, it looked and felt amazing, and I almost swapped my iPhone 15 PM for it! But after a little thought, I realized I’m not ready to give up the awesome triple camera and stereo speakers. If they could add at least a double camera setup and stereo speakers, I would’ve bought one right away!

 

[d5aqoëp]

Compromises:
1. Single speaker
2. Single camera
3. Extremely poor battery life (due to thinness)
4. Inferior C1X 5G modem compared to SD X80 in Pro series
5. Too thin to hold.
6. Busted Wifi 7 that is incapable of 320 Mhz channel width on 6Ghz.
7. No mmWave which is in Pro models.
8. No display output via USB-C to an external monitor or TV.
9. Still USB 2.0 speeds for a premium device in 2025.
10. Slower binned SOC (again due to thinness and heat concerns)

Did I miss anything?

 

[klasma]

Not really surprising, given the 3% of unit sales reported yesterday (vs. 75% for the Pro/Max and 22% for the regular 17).

 

[Slo Pesci]

Beautiful phone but too half baked. Thought about getting it but one speaker in a $1450 CAD phone should be criminal.

 

[Gabebear]

In other news- iPhone Air sales outperform model it replaced in the lineup(the Plus)... https://www.macrumors.com/2025/10/20/iphone-17-lineup-sales-outperforming-iphone-16/

 

[contacos]

What does the weak demand of an iPhone Air have to do with a foldable? Weird conclusion. That's like saying there is no demand for vegan products because some people eat meat

 

[Apple-achian]

It's an innovation tax. Future phones will benefit heavily from the R&D invested into it.

 

[svanstrom]

If there'd been a main + telephoto camera on it I probably would have gotten it. Heck, at this point I'd almost pay extra to get rid of that ultra wide camera, it just annoys me more often than I actually need or want it.

I'd just want a MagSafe battery for it that also has MagSafe on the other side of it. Not the most efficient, but useful.

Edit: Instead I got the PM, as usual.

 

[Craigwilliam]

I guess most people look at it and say, "I may as well just get the iPhone 17." I saw one in the store, and it looks incredible, but because I'm a filmmaker, the whole ProRes recording is important to me, and I'm locked into a Pro model.

 

[ginkobiloba]

https://www.macrumors.com/2025/10/17/iphone-air-sells-out-in-china/

So what does this means ?

 

[JokoWidodo]

Good. Now bring back the Plus series !!

 

[Apple-achian]

https://www.macrumors.com/2025/10/17/iphone-air-sells-out-in-china/

So what does this means ?

It means these reports are highly suspect.

 

[mystery hill]

Did I miss anything?

No display output via USB-C to an external monitor or TV.

 

[profets]

I must be in the minority but I absolutely love this phone. For me, its up there with the iPhone 4 and iPhone X.

 

[klasma]

In other news- iPhone Air sales outperform model it replaced in the lineup(the Plus)... https://www.macrumors.com/2025/10/20/iphone-17-lineup-sales-outperforming-iphone-16/

In absolute numbers yes, but in terms of percentage it actually performs worse.

 

[everythingisspatial]

Lol so the Air *instantly sells out in China*, but Hartley Charlton continues writing posts about analysts predictions, predictions which by the way are not subject to the same scrutiny as actual public companies.

This article smells. And not in a good way.

I also remember when people criticized iPhone X for its high price, and analysts claiming it wasn't selling and production was cut. Then it went on to be the top selling smartphone.

Stop posting known lies Hartley.

 

[uuee6543]

Compromises:
1. Single speaker
2. Single camera
3. Extremely poor battery life (due to thinness)
4. Inferior C1X 5G modem compared to SD X80 in Pro series
5. Too thin to hold.
6. Busted Wifi 7 that is incapable of 320 Mhz channel width on 6Ghz.
7. No mmWave which is in Pro models.

Did I miss anything?

Yes you missed some stuff:
- CPU throttling compared to the Pros
- Binned version of the Pro CPU
- USB 2.0 port speeds
- Overheating issues

 

[svanstrom]

https://www.macrumors.com/2025/10/17/iphone-air-sells-out-in-china/

So what does this means ?

First of all it means that there's a great demand for eSIM, which wasn't a thing in Chinese phones up until now.

Then there's a difference between initially selling out and long-term demand. There's usually always a lag in supply to demand this early in the cycle, and a company working on this scale always needs to make adjustments along the way as they're focusing on catching up with the demand.

 

[everythingisspatial]

In absolute numbers yes, but in terms of percentage it actually performs worse.

Sales are measured in units numbers, not percentage

 

[ginkobiloba]

It means these reports are highly suspect.

"Apple's online store and the official Tmall flagship both listed multiple color and storage configurations as unavailable within the first two hours of availability"

Surely that's easy to check if true or not ... I don't think you can fake a news like this.

 

[klasma]

https://www.macrumors.com/2025/10/17/iphone-air-sells-out-in-china/

So what does this means ?

It means they hadn’t much stock allocated in China.

 

[everythingisspatial]

Yes you missed some stuff:
- CPU throttling compared to the Pros
- Binned version of the Pro CPU
- USB 2.0 port speeds
- Overheating issues

Seen no mass reports of throttling compared to the Pro nor overheating issues. You're just making stuff up.

 

[arkitect]

https://www.macrumors.com/2025/10/17/iphone-air-sells-out-in-china/

So what does this means ?

It means that the first lot of iPhones Air sold out in China — we have no idea how large that stock was.
That doesn't guarantee it will continue to be a hit.

China is a very different market and fads are genuine sales drivers… something new tomorrow…

Also, the novelty of e-sims for the Chinese market.

 

[karnac]

Needs the telephoto. should have been single lense on iPhone 17, dual on air, and triple on pro