iPhone 17 Weaker demand for Air and fold

[ab2c4]

I use the Air and have every day since launch. I find both the battery and camera to be definite compromises. (I personally don’t care about the single speaker).

I find myself charging my air much more frequently than on my 16PM (even a year after the launch of that phone), and my relative cycle count is evidence. No I don’t use my phone more than I did before.

I enjoy the feel, weight, and therefore will likely continue to use this air til next year when we see what Apple does next. But I’m a user and the compromises are real to me- there’s not a world in which the battery or camera is even close to my 16PM FOR ME - that is obviously a subjective experience.

If you ended the day on a 16PM with 40% and now end with an air at 15%, who really cares right? But for me, I ended my 16PM days without charging (except overnight, and even if I didn’t get to that then I was usually fine til the FOLLOWING AFTERNOON!) and now I have to charge during a day.

I love the phone in general but every device has a compromise. The folks who are getting more cameras and battery life also (maybe, subjectively), get a brick- something that, at least for now, I was ready to step away from.

For me I have had a different experience. Coming from the 16 Pro I’m getting the same battery life. I take it off the charger at 6am until 10pm, have 6ish hours of SoT, and finish the day with 45-50%ish battery left. As for camera I almost always only used the main camera so I lost nothing with the Air. My pictures have been just as good as with the 16 Pro with the main lens.

 

[bbates123]

Your argument is like people who claim sedans are good enough for most drivers. Except the reality is most people buy SUVs.

They want that ability to take the ultrawide shot. They want macro. They want stereo. They want to have that buffer with battery life.

The irony is so many Air owners like fail to understand such fundamentals. We get it. There are weird outliers who don’t care about camera or stereo or battery life. The majority of users do.

This forum is a lot like arguing politics with friends and relatives, it's a no win situation and ultimately only ends in frustration. You have your opinion and I have mine. To call Air users "weird outliers" is a little extreme (and condescending) I think. For the vast majority of users the Air doesn't present a lot of compromises. I still argue that most users couldn't give two shites about the dual speakers. I use my external speaker like zero times, I use AirPods. How many people actually make a buying decision based on external speakers? Again, the battery in the Air is fine...same life as the 16 Pro which nobody complained about 2 months ago. And I really don't think the average person thinks they need all those cameras. I will once again cite my wife as an "average" user who never uses the ultra wide angle in her 16 base. The problem with the Air is one of marketing or lack thereof. People just don't know it exists or why they would want to consider one. I think if more people could hold one and see how they could be freed from the bricks they think they need to buy, it would sell a lot better.

 

[ronno]

I wonder if this is due to Apple releasing the same phone every year that people are so use to the same phone and like things to be familiar? I can’t think of any other reason to be honest. Pre iPhone lots of people went for Blackberry and Nokia which never always had the best feature but had a great design but maybe after a decade of the same phones every year people are simply not use to buying one based on design?

Battery life seems fine to me, the one thing that catches me though is that people said the camera does not do macros / close focus very well or at all. I shoot things close up all the time. That would really bother me to the extent that I would end up getting rid of this phone. Can it be fixed in a firmware update?

 

[Unbiasedhippo]

This forum is a lot like arguing politics with friends and relatives, it's a no win situation and ultimately only ends in frustration. You have your opinion and I have mine. To call Air users "weird outliers" is a little extreme (and condescending) I think. For the vast majority of users the Air doesn't present a lot of compromises. I still argue that most users couldn't give two shites about the dual speakers. I use my external speaker like zero times, I use AirPods. How many people actually make a buying decision based on external speakers? Again, the battery in the Air is fine...same life as the 16 Pro which nobody complained about 2 months ago. And I really don't think the average person thinks they need all those cameras. I will once again cite my wife as an "average" user who never uses the ultra wide angle in her 16 base. The problem with the Air is one of marketing or lack thereof. People just don't know it exists or why they would want to consider one. I think if more people could hold one and see how they could be freed from the bricks they think they need to buy, it would sell a lot better.

The word compromise is being misused. Every thread with the iPhone Airs “compromises” make me laugh because it’s the same regurgitated “but SPecs are WoRseR!” As if everyone ever only looks at the spec sheet and bigger number is always “best.” I’ve leaned when someone says the Air has too many compromises. What they’re really saying is anything but the 17 Pro Max Traffic cone 2TB is a “compromise.”

 

[stealthytolkien]

Don’t you all get tired of talking about the same thing over and over again? Lol.

 

[gtjacket123]

Don’t you all get tired of talking about the same thing over and over again? Lol.

I agree - I can’t believe I posted in this thread. I actually face some of the questions/concerns around this “issue” and still find this incredibly boring and narcissistic that we are all stuck on our little phone pros and cons, sorry pros and airs

 

[SoYoung]

I wonder if this is due to Apple releasing the same phone every year that people are so use to the same phone and like things to be familiar? I can’t think of any other reason to be honest. Pre iPhone lots of people went for Blackberry and Nokia which never always had the best feature but had a great design but maybe after a decade of the same phones every year people are simply not use to buying one based on design?

Its simply because, just like computers, the smartphone market matured and we finally have a model that actually work for all important things? In the end, all people want is a reliable phone that can do all they want with a good quality and autonomy and that's exactly how regular phones is.

Fold and thinner phones are for the gadgets enthusiast who like to buy sometimes 2 phones a year and just want a new toy to play with for a couple of months.

 

[huanbrother]

While it is true with the Air, currently there's no data supporting that the Fold is in low demand.
However, it could be, especially in China, for several reasons:
(1) Foldable phones are not novel, Huawei, Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo...the major local brands in China ALL offers a fold phone nowadays and it has been iterated for at least 2 generations now.
(2) Foldables at the moment are about status, not practice, most of the fold phones are sold at a premium price, especially Huawei, and they offer a luxurious alternative to the iPhone Pro Max model, especially when the user is associated with a government job (which is revered in China) and either by protocols (sensitive departments) or by nationalism/collectivism, they are not allowed/can't use an Apple phone, at least in public.
(3) What's "NEW" about a fold phone? We know that Apple is rarely the FIRST to push a certain technology, but rather a POLISHER who delivers a "complete" and "easy to use" version of something novel. Think about use cases for a FOLD phone, are there any demands that the competitors haven't tried to advertise yet may or may not made into a deal breaker --- I MUST HAVE IT?
And in overseas markets like the NA, since the competition was much less fierce and Samsung being the only Apple competitor (Google? Tensor chips suck ok?), they have the fold, and probably the few fold that one could see in those markets on a daily basis, then, Apple could bring some novelty there, but for China, unless Apple is packing Pro Max level hardware into the new form factor (no compromises), I doubt it would sell well.

 

[jntdroid]

Lack of marketing? I’ve seen a lot of iPhone Air ads! Granted, I’ve seen more about the Pro, but the very fact the iPhone Air is new means it gets more impressions without trying. But still— they have been marketing it.

That’s good to know. Most of us here haven’t seen anything anywhere. 🤷‍♂️

 

[James6s]

I see the odd add for the Air pop up on social media from UK mobile carriers, none from Apple or on TV like the 17 Pro series does.

I had a 16 Pro > Air > 17 Pro > Air which I’m using now. I regretted getting the 17 Pro, however my first Air had a manufacturing defect so would’ve returned it anyway.

I do not enjoy watching videos on YouTube or social media any less with the single speaker as it’s loud and clear.

Battery life has been the same as the 16 Pro and not much worse than the 17 Pro I had briefly.

Performance and speed are insane with the A19 Pro paired with 12GB of RAM.

Solid camera on par with the 17 Pro’s main lens, but it obviously gets blown out the water with the Pro’s zoom quality & overall more versatile camera system.

The biggest pleasure to me is the weight and thinness without sacrificing display size or premium build, durability and in hand feel which is incredible.

I highly doubt Apple will discontinue the Air after just one generation as I think it sets the vision for future iPhones in the coming years.

There are obviously things to improve on for those looking at a spec sheet and making a decision based on numbers.

It’s possible to include better battery tech (silicone carbon) & increasing run time whilst keeping the same thinness, possibly adding a variable aperture lens to give it more versatility in the camera department.

 

[Bethanie21]

This has been covered ad nauseam. How often do people actually use anything other than the standard lens? My wife has a 16 base and NEVER uses the ultra wide angle. How many people really need "stereo" speakers? I think you're talking about a really niche subset of users. The average Joe doesn't care. And the battery is decent, it's as good as my 16 Pro and nobody complained about that last year.

The average Joe does care about speakers, certainly enough to want more than one. Watching videos on your iPhone is niche? Really? 😂

 

[Bethanie21]

And I think a lot of people play up the lack of stereo speakers to crap on the Air and justify their purchases of other phones.

I hardly ever use phone speakers. They’re terrible on every phone. I also highly suspect an extra speaker wouldn’t actually do much of anything, given the (physical) volume at the bottom of the phone doesn’t really provide a whole lot of space for a speaker, and speakers need space to make good sound.

All that said, if you do use phone speakers regularly I’m sure there’s a difference in quality, and that it would bother many people. I personally think it’s mind boggling people listen to stuff on phone speakers when things like AirPods exist, but it’s clear a lot of people do.

But the single speaker on the Air is a drawback, you can’t deny that, so it’s a valid reason to crap on the Air.

 

[shady16]

But the single speaker on the Air is a drawback, you can’t deny that, so it’s a valid reason to crap on the Air.

i went from a 16 pro max to an air and i dont find the lack of dual speakers a problem.

 

[Bethanie21]

i went from a 16 pro max to an air and i dont find the lack of dual speakers a problem.

Good for you, that’s your opinion and you justifying your choice. A lot of people notice the difference and it’s important to have decent dual speakers.

 

[GDF]

But the single speaker on the Air is a drawback, you can’t deny that, so it’s a valid reason to crap on the Air.

Not for me. Never use the speaker. Have AirPods that I use all the time. Honestly don’t get why people uses speakers, especially in public places.

 

[ps4db]

This has been covered ad nauseam. How often do people actually use anything other than the standard lens? My wife has a 16 base and NEVER uses the ultra wide angle. How many people really need "stereo" speakers? I think you're talking about a really niche subset of users. The average Joe doesn't care. And the battery is decent, it's as good as my 16 Pro and nobody complained about that last year.

Average Joe likes to take nice photos and portraits by zooming in, without going into the technical details, which after all, a good product should do!

 

[ps4db]

I use the Air and have every day since launch. I find both the battery and camera to be definite compromises. (I personally don’t care about the single speaker).

I find myself charging my air much more frequently than on my 16PM (even a year after the launch of that phone), and my relative cycle count is evidence. No I don’t use my phone more than I did before.

I enjoy the feel, weight, and therefore will likely continue to use this air til next year when we see what Apple does next. But I’m a user and the compromises are real to me- there’s not a world in which the battery or camera is even close to my 16PM FOR ME - that is obviously a subjective experience.

If you ended the day on a 16PM with 40% and now end with an air at 15%, who really cares right? But for me, I ended my 16PM days without charging (except overnight, and even if I didn’t get to that then I was usually fine til the FOLLOWING AFTERNOON!) and now I have to charge during a day.

I love the phone in general but every device has a compromise. The folks who are getting more cameras and battery life also (maybe, subjectively), get a brick- something that, at least for now, I was ready to step away from.

Exactly right. If you are getting decent battery, when push comes to shove and you need to really push the battery to its limits, that will eat away this illusion of “great battery life”.

My 17PM battery life on wifi is great but on cellular, using GPS, trains(where network signal is low), the battery takes a very good hit. It’s these scenarios that we need to be aware of. Of course some people will retort : I never have to use cellular or my network strength is always excellent ! It’s being able to tide over unexpected situations using the battery buffer.

 

[tagsaid]

I wonder if this is due to Apple releasing the same phone every year that people are so use to the same phone and like things to be familiar? I can’t think of any other reason to be honest. Pre iPhone lots of people went for Blackberry and Nokia which never always had the best feature but had a great design but maybe after a decade of the same phones every year people are simply not use to buying one based on design?

Not sure what "fold" has to do with this. yes technically "2 airs = the size of one fold" but you cannot compare the two. I know a hand full of people, including myself, who are not getting the air but are all waiting for the fold. It may not be a popular option, but we won't know the demand of the fold until it is released.

 

[transpo1]

Everything about iPhone is want. Who here needs an iPhone 17 Pro Max because their 13 Pro Max doesn't cut it?

That's what some Air owners completely fail to get. They're mired in myopic thinking. If battery life is good enough and the camera is passable, most people will love this thing, right? Wrong.

Apple sells an aspirational identity and empowerment.

That’s what Apple sells, yes, but some people (you can argue most) are utilitarian about their iPhone purchases— they upgrade when they need to. That’s why the Air is not selling well, if the rumors are true— it’s sleek and cool but not a great value or investment for those who won’t be able to afford to upgrade for another 2-3 years.

But for anyone who bought and love the Air, GREAT— happy for them!

 

[Non-Euclidean]

I am utterly shocked, that a form over function iPhone with subpar power and camera isn't selling well.

 

[johnsawyercjs]

You have to charge the Air to 100% and not 80% to maybe get 8 hours of usage. Also gaming on it drains the battery quick.

If someone buys an Air thinking they can get battery life similar to a higher-end iPhone while gaming on it, they'll soon find they've dug their own grave.

 

[johnsawyercjs]

View attachment 2571550


These clickbait “air is doomed cuz specs bro” articles are hilarious. Apple HQ must be having a laugh knowing that it’s doing just fine. No one expected it to outpace the 17 and the 17 Pros. I’m surprised they might potentially hit 20m units in the first year with all the negative techbro garbage and fear mongering online. I’m excited for the air 2

That puts it in perspective. The wording of the MacRumors article the other day made it seem like Apple had decided to stop making more Airs immediately.

 

[Non-Euclidean]

Ars article about this:

Reports suggest Apple is already pulling back on the iPhone Air

New phone design compromises on camera and battery to achieve a lighter weight.

arstechnica.com

 

[Non-Euclidean]

That’s what Apple sells, yes, but some people (you can argue most) are utilitarian about their iPhone purchases— they upgrade when they need to. That’s why the Air is not selling well, if the rumors are true— it’s sleek and cool but not a great value or investment for those who won’t be able to afford to upgrade for another 2-3 years.

But for anyone who bought and love the Air, GREAT— happy for them!

I think Apple was/is looking at the sales demographics better than that.

They probably have a very good idea of what the upgrade rate is. They were expecting a certain percentage of those people and weren't seeing a healthy portion of that.

I think they were expecting something different due to their liberal return policy and weren't seeing the "try the new hotness" gadflies trying and returning if they didn't like. It sounds like they weren't even trying it.

They slammed the brakes on production pretty quick.

 

[surferfb]

I Apple was looking at the demographics better than that.

They probably have a very good idea of what the upgrade rate is. They were expecting a certain percentage of those people and weren't seeing a healthy portion of that. They slammed the brakes on production pretty quick.

Depending on who you ask. I've seen everything from "almost entirely halting production" to "From 21M to 20M units".

I think there's enough smoke to confirm it isn't selling as well as Apple hoped/expected, but I don't think anyone outside of Apple (including their suppliers) can actually know by how much.