Top Stories: iPhone Air Flops?, New Liquid Glass Toggle, and More

[MacRumors]

Roughly a month after the release of the latest flagship iPhone models, it's looking the new iPhone Air isn't selling as well as Apple had hoped for, and that's leading to significant production cuts as Apple seeks to balance supply to meet demand.

This week also saw a new round of betas for iOS 26.1 and related updates with a significant tweak for Liquid Glass, while we heard more rumors about Apple's plans for future iPhone models, so read on below for all the details on these stories and more!

Top Stories

Apple's iPhone Air Experiment Fails as Supply Chain Cuts Production by 80%

A number of supply chain reports in recent days have indicated that Apple's new ultra-thin iPhone Air is not selling well overall, and Apple has reportedly dramatically scaled back production to meet the current levels of demand.

Analysts at Mizuho Securities indicated last week Friday that Apple was planning to cut iPhone Air production amid underwhelming sales, and this week another analyst survey revealed "virtually no demand" for iPhone Air while noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claimed that iPhone Air suppliers are expected to reduce capacity by more than 80%.

Reports of dire overall sales of iPhone Air come just as the device sold out upon launch in China last week, although it's unclear what the sustained levels of demand will be there. The eSIM-only iPhone Air saw a delayed launch in China due to required approvals for the technology.

iOS 26.1 Beta 4 Lets Users Control Liquid Glass Transparency with New Toggle

Apple made a big change to its new Liquid Glass design in the fourth betas of iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, and macOS Tahoe 26.1 released this week, introducing a toggle that allows users to choose between a more glass-like Clear look and a more opaque Tinted look.

We went hands-on with the new option to see how the two looks differ, with the Clear one emphasizing the glassy aspects of the new design and the Tinted one making buttons and other user interface elements more readable in some circumstances.

The fourth beta of iOS 26.1 features a few other changes, including an option to turn off the Lock Screen swipe gesture that normally opens the Camera app, an option to turn off haptic feedback when phone calls are connected or dropped, and more.

Apple's Plan to Launch Three New iPhone Designs Allegedly Revealed

We've been hearing rumors about Apple introducing several new phones in the coming years, and a new report corroborates details on Apple's plans.

Apple will reportedly be launching its first foldable iPhone in 2026, featuring a book style similar to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold, although some analysts have concerns that work on the crucial hinge of the device could push a release back to 2027.

After the first foldable, Apple is expected to release a special 20th-anniversary iPhone with "zero" bezels around the display with the OLED display bending around all four sides of the device. And in 2028, Apple will reportedly release a clamshell-style foldable iPhone similar to Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip.

M4 vs. M5 Chip Buyer's Guide: How Much Better Really Is M5?

Apple debuted its new M5 chip last week in the MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, and Vision Pro, but just how much better is it than the previous-generation M4 chip?

Apple emphasizes strong improvements in graphics and AI capabilities, with more modest gains in CPU performance, although it still features the highest single-core CPU performance score ever seen in Geekbench benchmark testing.

GM to Remove CarPlay from All Future Vehicles, Including Gas Cars

Back in 2023, General Motors made waves for its decision to end support for CarPlay and Android Auto in its electric vehicles, forcing users toward what it claimed was a more integrated experience in the native infotainment system.

While the decision didn't sit well with many potential car buyers, GM not only didn't back down but has now revealed that it will be making the same move in its gas-powered lineup as those vehicles get major refreshes.

Calling it "a very Jobsian approach to things," GM likened its decision to Steve Jobs' efforts to phase out the disk drive and other technologies in favor of more modern solutions. GM didn't give a timeline for the transition and told MacRumors that existing gas-powered vehicles will continue to offer CarPlay for the "foreseeable future," but that they will "gradually move to a better, more deeply integrated experience."

Former Apple Employee Sam Sung Changed His Name to Avoid Attention

Apple fans who have followed the company for a while may remember the story of Sam Sung, an Apple retail employee from Vancouver, Canada, who drew attention for his name's similarity to that of one of Apple's primary competitors.

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Article Link: Top Stories: iPhone Air Flops?, New Liquid Glass Toggle, and More

 

[woolypants]

So, MacRumors is using AI slop for images now (the iPhone Air tombstone)?

 

[RoadCyclistID]

WOW! Open to change much anyone? Geez. Air for me and only look forward.

 

[Apple-achian]

I am going to have to object to the "Iphone Air flops" title. It sold astoundingly well in China and its still too early to determine that. Very unfair to Apple.

 

[klasma]

I am going to have to object to the "Iphone Air flops" title. It sold astoundingly well in China

That doesn’t seem to be the case: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/apple-iphone-air-receives-muted-042552371.html

 

[ZipZap]

I just upgraded my business phone to an Air. I now own two. I am very happy with this device and hope that it will return with the improvements that everyone complains about (battery, camera). I expect to also see the Air again as part of the fold, which I will buy for sure.

 

[ZipZap]

What kind of a name is "Avoid Attention"?

 

[JungleNYC]

Apple's "thin, thin, thin" innovation trajectory was always going to end in tears.

People have been questioning this obsession for years, especially at the expense of battery life and other key features. The iPhone Air is a perfect example of how that obsession eventually creates untenable compromises that even the most loyal fans and early adopters can't abide.

All that said… I find it interesting that the MacBook Airs are NOT "thin, thin, thin" anymore, but instead are just feature-stripped versions of the Pros.

 

[DoctorMesmer]

That’s GM off the list of possible new cars for me, then.

 

[sw1tcher]

I am going to have to object to the "Iphone Air flops" title. It sold astoundingly well in China and its still too early to determine that. Very unfair to Apple.

"It sold astoundingly well in China" is based on what exactly, a MR post? Where are the numbers? There are none.

How do we know Apple or its retail partners didn't try to create hype around it by artificially limiting product availability?

This is an actual business strategy. Companies will tell us something is "Sold Out" or "Out of Stock" to create a sense of urgency so people will frantically try to find one and run out to buy it.

The Myth of “Out of Stock”: How Scarcity Became the New Sales Tactic

Two little words that send customers into a frenzy. What used to be a disappointment has become a marketing tool and increasingly, a deliberate one. From small-batch creators to billion-dollar retailers, more businesses are realizing that scarcity sells. The harder something is to get, the more...

t2conline.com

Two little words that send customers into a frenzy. What used to be a disappointment has become a marketing tool and increasingly, a deliberate one. From small-batch creators to billion-dollar retailers, more businesses are realizing that scarcity sells. The harder something is to get, the more people want it. And some brands are taking that logic to the extreme, strategically going out of stock to spark desire.

It’s called the “sold out” strategy, and it’s quietly shaping modern retail psychology. The tactic is simple: limit inventory or pretend to. When customers see an item disappear, they assume it’s valuable. They rush to buy it next time. They set notifications, join waitlists, even sign up for newsletters just to be “first to know” when it comes back. Scarcity creates urgency and urgency converts. In a world where everyone has too many choices, “unavailable” feels like the ultimate endorsement.

We’ve seen this play out most famously in sneaker culture. Nike and Adidas have built entire ecosystems around artificial scarcity releasing limited quantities, then leveraging resale markets as proof of popularity. Streetwear brand Supreme made “sold out in seconds” a part of its mythology. The result is a generation of customers conditioned to chase what they can’t have. But it’s not just hype brands doing this anymore. Everyday products from skincare to supplements to kitchenware are now adopting the same psychology. DTC companies like Glossier, Stanley, and Function of Beauty have all leaned on “restock” campaigns that blur the line between genuine sellouts and engineered marketing events. Even mega retailers like Target and Amazon have been accused of quietly “pausing” availability on high-demand products to build hype before re-releasing them.

The result is a digital environment where “out of stock” often doesn’t mean what it used to. Sometimes the product isn’t really gone it’s just being strategically withheld. And customers, knowingly or not, are participating in the illusion. The psychology behind this is old-school it’s the same principle that drives FOMO. People want what they can’t easily have. Behavioral economists call it the scarcity effect: when perceived limitation increases value. Social media has only amplified it. Every “back in stock!” post feels like a mini event. Influencers unbox limited drops with countdown timers. Even the disappointment of missing out feeds the loop because when it finally returns, people buy faster and in greater quantities.

 

[Cyloncat]

My sympathies to Sam Sung. I bought my first Surface tablet from a Microsoft kiosk set up in a mall. The sales employee was named Bob, and his name tag clearly identified him as Microsoft Bob.

 

[Warped9]

That’s GM off the list of possible new cars for me, then.

I have never seriously considered a GM vehicle at any time. I bought a new vehicle last year and there was no GM on my list of shopping candidates.

 

[DakotaGuy]

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is also a very poor seller. Consumers would rather have better battery life and more features for the money. The only person shedding tears over these thin phones failing in the marketplace is Jony Ive.

 

[JForestZ34]

Why have Liquid Glass if you’re going to have a toggle for it. I wish forstall was back at apple.

James

 

[Coldsmoke55]

I suspect that people were scared away from the Air because of all the media fear-mongering about the battery life.

I went for the Air and absolutely love it. Battery life….not an issue at all.
it’s great having a phone with me that doesn’t feel like a boat anchor..

I also liked the IPhone mini when it first came out. Hopeful that Apple doesn’t kill the Air but I suspect the Air is the first foray into thin designs, especially if they want to have a foldable. Can you imagine the bulk and awkwardness of a foldable where each half is based on an iPhone 17?
Doesn’t matter though, I am keeping the Air until another similarly thin/lightweight device with better features comes on the scene.

 

[Macalway]

Ironic that the Air is symbolized with stone, when it's the others that are bricks.

 

[justanotherdave]

Define “flop”. Several iPhones have been called flops in the past (like the SE) but when actual sales numbers are available we find their “flops” outsold competitors.

The Pixel is the real definition of a flop. Apple sells as many iPhones in their slowest quarter of the year as Google has sold Pixels in the past 7 years combined.

 

[justanotherdave]

I have never seriously considered a GM vehicle at any time. I bought a new vehicle last year and there was no GM on my list of shopping candidates.

We have an Equinox EV. It’s been flawless over the 40,000kms (24,000mls) we put on it during our first year (we do a lot of road trips including several >1,000mls).

We’re buying the GMC Sierra EV to tow our RV. Yes it’s expensive but it will more than pay for itself with gas savings over its lifetime (I estimate almost $90K fuel savings). Yes we travel a lot.

 

[whiteashsaturday]

The iPhone Air is perfect. Large and lightweight, the air MagSafe charger since purchase has let me never plug in my phone to charge. I just set it on the battery wherever I want. Then when you use it you set the battery aside.

So sad Steve no longer does the tutorials on stage of how to use the products, no one knows how to use a battery extender.

 

[centauratlas]

As far as the Air goes: once you put it in a case, is it really that thin? Is it worth the lower battery life if it is twice as thick in the case vs a little thicker with a better camera and battery?

For me, the answer is no. For others, yes. I am sure there are plenty people who like it that way, just like a smaller form factor.

So is it a "flop"? Not for the people who want that form factor, perhaps Apple overestimated the number of people who value "thin" vs batter or camera etc. but I guess time will tell what Apple does.

 

[klasma]

What kind of a name is "Avoid Attention"?

An aspirational one?

Or maybe he wanted Dave Antoniotti buy they scrambled the letters.

 

[klasma]

Ironic that the Air is symbolized with stone, when it's the others that are bricks.

It might be pumice.

 

[Macalway]

It might be pumice.

Cardboard. Like a cheap Ed Wood set. (I don't think they had styrofoam back then did they?)

Now that this iPhone is dead, it's fitting that its ghost is now airborne (halloween humor)

 

[boswald]

I don’t think it was just the compromises that caused the phone to “flop.” I think it was the price. Apple priced the thing way too high for what it was, and people saw right through it. It’s a sad misfire, but one I think they’ll rebound from next time.

 

[JPack]

I am going to have to object to the "Iphone Air flops" title. It sold astoundingly well in China and its still too early to determine that. Very unfair to Apple.

It sold so "astoundingly" well that virtually all stores have it in stock for immediate pickup.

It's been 72 hours since Air was made available in the country.





You know what's really selling well? iPhone 17 base. Every color and storage option is out of stock.