Just a week after speculation surfaced regarding Samsung’s potential cancellation of the Galaxy S26 Edge due to disappointing sales of the ultra-slim S25 Edge, new reports indicate that Apple may be scaling back production of its iPhone Air. Sources familiar with the situation reveal that while Apple is maintaining its overall production estimate for the iPhone 17 lineup at approximately 85 to 90 million units, production of the iPhone Air has been drastically reduced, nearing “end of production” levels.
Despite some drawbacks such as battery life and single-camera functionality compared to the higher-end iPhone 17 Pro, The Verge’s Allison Johnson praised the iPhone Air’s innovative design, highlighting its slim profile and lightweight build. The iPhone Air marks Apple’s first venture into ultra-thin smartphones and may signal the company’s future plans for a foldable iPhone.
The iPhone Air was originally projected to make up about 10 to 15 percent of the production orders for the iPhone 17 lineup, but supply chain managers indicate substantial cuts will take effect starting in November. In a counterbalanced move, Apple is reportedly increasing production of the base iPhone 17 by an additional 5 million units and ramping up output for the Pro models as well.
According to analysts at Counterpoint, data reveals that the iPhone 17 series has outperformed the previous iPhone 16 series by 14 percent during its initial ten days of sales in both the U.S. and China. Particularly noteworthy is the base iPhone 17, which saw a remarkable sales increase of 31 percent. This surge may be attributed to features such as the always-on, high-refresh-rate display introduced in the new model. Similarly, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max experienced a 12 percent boost in sales, with attractive carrier upgrade deals contributing to the increase.
In contrast, the iPhone Air’s sales performance mirrors that of the iPhone 16 Plus, which it has replaced, both devices representing the lowest sales figures within their respective generations. Apple’s strategic shifts in production may reflect not only immediate market demand but also its long-term vision for innovation and product development in the competitive smartphone landscape.