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Report: 'Virtually No Demand' for iPhone Air

I'm not surprised. Most people just don't get excited about smartphone design any more. It needs to have the right features for the right price. Why pay extra for a device that has so many compromises like the Air? It's an appliance like a fridge. Who gets excited about a new fridge?

Want bells and whistles, go Pro.
Need a reliable daily companion, buy the base model.
 
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everythingisspatial said:
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.
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The article about the phones selling out in China gave zero numbers. So if you think this article stinks, that one reeks.
 
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MilaM said:
I'm not surprised. Most people just don't get excited about smartphone design any more. It needs to have the right features for the right price. Why pay extra for a device that has so many compromises like the Air? It's an appliance like fridge. Who gets excited about a new fridge?

Want bells and whistles, go Pro.
Need a reliable daily companion, buy the base model.
Click to expand...

This is another good point.

We are at the absolute edge in "enthusiast" land here.

Most normies don't "massage their thin phone in their pocket" and obsess about how "sexy it looks" and "thin it feels" or any of these sort of "feelings" about a little computer in their bag.

This product category (smartphones) became just a utility item for most folks years ago now.

The amount of people who are going to ooh and ahh and pay more for a bit less and a little thinner ... may indeed be pretty limited (relative to the #'s Apple wants to see on iPhone sales)
 
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The problem apple now has is for people who want a big phone but don't want a brick (pro max). The air is too compromised. (According to sales & everyone summarising them up here). There is no plus model of the 17. What do you buy ?

The answer is maybe the regular 17 and live with a smaller screen.

Hope the plus comes back next year.
 
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I find the speaker issue inexcusable, not because it's a single speaker but because my iPhone 13 mini (which launched 4 years ago) has much fuller sound and reaches louder volumes without crackling.

To a degree, same with the single camera lens: it's not a budget phone at $999 and the 13 mini could also ship with dual cameras.

Make both of these improvements, and it will be much more compelling. And maybe lower the price, since most people don't see why they'd go with that over a little more for a Pro, or quite a bit less for the regular 17 that has better sound and cameras and battery life.

And even though battery life is better than expected, the perception was it'll be crap since it's the only device that has MagSafe battery accessory compatibility.

--

I'm not a hater, it is an intriguing device but anecdotally- I knew something was off about the demand for this device when I went to an Apple Store on launch night, and people were swarming virtually all the iPhone tables, and tables of other products (even those that have been out for months)... except the Air table. it was ghost town despite being front and center when you walk through the front door.
 
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The iPhone Air is a beauty and it gives you that "new iPhone" feel and freshness when compared to the same old Pro phones. So far, the single speaker is what's bothering me a bit, no big issues with the battery and camera. Apple should really consider dropping the price to save it and then just offer a better package with v2.
 
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thadoggfather said:
I find the speaker issue inexcusable, not because it's a single speaker but because my iPhone 13 mini (which launched 4 years ago) has much fuller sound and reaches louder volumes without crackling.
Click to expand...

I trust Dave2D on these sorts of things and his video re: the speaker was really not good for the Air.

(His channel is not small in reach either -- almost 4M subs I think)

The more I've thought about that, the more I wouldn't want that particular compromise ... if for no reason beyond the volume reduction.

It's amazing how often I use my 13 Mini speaker (now that I've been thinking about it and paying attention) and frequently "maxing it out" on volume. Less volume from my "new phone" would be really frustrating.
 
turbineseaplane said:
I trust Dave2D on these sorts of things and his video re: the speaker was really not good for the Air.

The more I've thought about that, the more I wouldn't want that particular compromise ... if for no reason beyond the volume reduction.

It's amazing how often I use my 13 Mini speaker (now that I've been thinking about it and paying attention) and frequently "maxing it out" on volume. Less volume be really frustrating.
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It just doesn't make any sense for most people who say they love iPhone for its camera specifically - well it has obvious camera concessions. Even the sensor is that of the iPhone 15 even if much improved pipeline. This sort of corner cutting is what you'd expect on an SE model not a $1k pseudo flagship:
https://twitter.com/x/status/1968306129630646779


And iPhone speakers are usually pretty full, even if you don't use it as a boombox for music, it is useful to play podcasts off the speaker and short clips without reaching for your earbuds.

Saying 'well I can deal with AirPods for everything, and single camera for everything or buying a 2nd device when I wanna take photos'. Sure for some that works but the amount of mental gymnastics people will do to not admit the device has its flaws, is incredible. Only Apple can pull that off :p
 
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MacRumors said:
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.
Click to expand...

I could have told you all of this 3 years ago (along with the lackluster reception of the AVP). Is this all it takes to become part of the rentier class? I’ll take my overblown salary now, please.
 
It makes me wonder what demand will be like for the foldable next year...

Even though different than an ultra slim device, would the average person want to have a foldable tablet they use in the public? Especially if it commands a high price that's like 2x or more the price of their target iPhone?

That seems like something for tech enthusiasts, not the 'average consumer'
 
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Reformed said:
The iPhone Air is a beauty and it gives you that "new iPhone" feel and freshness when compared to the same old Pro phones. So far, the single speaker is what's bothering me a bit, no big issues with the battery and camera. Apple should really consider dropping the price to save it and then just offer a better package with v2.
Click to expand...
The single speaker on my Air to my surprise has been great and a non issue, very loud and clear. However, if we see future Air models I would welcome a second speaker. Seems like such an easy thing for them to add.
 
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I think it happens for 2 reasons:
- Camera (still too thick for this model, when most body is thin),
- it is still too big for small phones lovers...

Apple really need one more compact iPhone (like 16e) which can be used by one palm, medium and Pro.
but now there is really no compact 'lite' device... 16e is not so small (but seems the best option for now), Air is spoiled by size and camera thickness, it is still heavy and requires large pocket.
 
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d5aqoëp said:
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?
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1. Agree its not the best for speakerphone but most people would not notice
2. Probably good enough for most people
3. Agree this can be a problem
4. Does it make a call ? Is it as good as lets say , an Phone X ? Most people would be fine and if you are on wifi its irrelevent
5. Subjective
6. Is it as good as previous versions of the iPhone? Who would notice?
7. Most people wont care or notice
8. Most people use it as a phone so odds are most wont care.
9. Other than car play how many people use that port for transferring data?
10. Probably good enough for most applications and users.
 
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Love-hate 🍏 relationship said:
Too bad they didn't mention how many pros were sold, as pro and max aren't the same
Click to expand...
The Pro Max generally vastly outsells the Pro.

Love-hate 🍏 relationship said:
Also I seem to recall seeing the base 17 getting more than 22% . What article ?
Click to expand...

1761141327321.jpeg
 
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thadoggfather said:
It just doesn't make any sense for most people who say they love iPhone for its camera specifically - well it has obvious camera concessions. Even the sensor is that of the iPhone 15 even if much improved pipeline. This sort of corner cutting is what you'd expect on an SE model not a $1k pseudo flagship:
https://twitter.com/x/status/1968306129630646779


And iPhone speakers are usually pretty full, even if you don't use it as a boombox for music, it is useful to play podcasts off the speaker and short clips without reaching for your earbuds.

Saying 'well I can deal with AirPods for everything, and single camera for everything or buying a 2nd device when I wanna take photos'. Sure for some that works but the amount of mental gymnastics people will do to not admit the device has its flaws, is incredible. Only Apple can pull that off :p
Click to expand...
Im not sure what you are saying about the camera. The main sensor on the Pros has been the same 1/1.28" 48MP sensor from the 14-17 Pro. They improved the readout speed on the 16 Pro but that's it.
 
thadoggfather said:
I find the speaker issue inexcusable, not because it's a single speaker but because my iPhone 13 mini (which launched 4 years ago) has much fuller sound and reaches louder volumes without crackling.
Click to expand...
Thinness is a problem for audio. The speakers of the thin iPad Pro also aren’t great compared to its thicker predecessors, and even at that level would take up a third or so of the iPhone Air.
 
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