New Delhi: After Apple’s latest experiment on their first-ever slimmest iPhone Air appears to have backfired, as suppliers are now slashing this iPhone production by over 80%, according to some reports. The sharp reduction signals that demand for the lightweight iPhone has fallen far short of Apple’s expectations, with the supply chain partners already scaling back shipments through early 2026. Components with the longer lead times are also expected to be discontinued by the end of next year.
The disappointing performance of the iPhone Air suggests little appetite for the latest market segments between Apple’s standard and Pro models, and the analyst Ming-Chi Kuo added that the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro already meet most high-end users’ needs, leaving minimal room for an additional premium variant. Some reports also suggested that Japan’s Mizuho Securities recently claimed that Apple would cut iPhone Air production by one million due to sluggish sales, while the Nikkei described demand as virtually non-existent.
iPhone Air was positioned as Apple’s thinnest and lightest iPhone ever they have made, featuring with the 5.6mm design that scarified certain features for portability, it also appears that consumers have not been drawn to the form factor, echoing the poor reception of earlier experiments like the compact iPhone mini and the more affordable iPhone Plus, both failed to gain lasting traction in Apple’s four model lineup. With the iPhone Air reported headed for an early exit, attention has now shifted to Apple’s next major hardware bet. Industry rumours suggest that the foldable iPhone could arrive as part of the iPhone 18 series in 2026, potentially replacing the Air’s spot in the lineup.
