Apple Reconsiders iPhone Air Production Amid New Strategy Shift

Apple Reportedly Scaling Back iPhone Air Production Amid Strong iPhone 17 Sales

In a surprising turn of events, just a week after Samsung’s decision to cancel the Galaxy S26 Edge, Apple is now reportedly scaling back production of the iPhone Air. Rumors suggest that this move comes in response to the underwhelming sales of the ultra-slim S25 Edge. According to sources familiar with the matter, Apple is maintaining its production estimate for the entire iPhone 17 lineup at around 85 to 90 million units. However, production of the iPhone Air has been significantly reduced, almost to the point of being at “end of production” levels, as reported by Nikkei Asia.

Despite the iPhone Air’s drawbacks such as its battery life and single camera compared to the iPhone 17 Pro, The Verge’s Allison Johnson praised its fresh design in a review. Johnson mentioned, “My overall impression using the Air is the same as with the S25 Edge: the slim profile might be the headline attraction, but the lighter weight is the real benefit.” The iPhone Air marks Apple’s foray into ultra-thin phones and could potentially pave the way for the rumored foldable iPhone.

Initially projected to account for 10 to 15 percent of all production orders for the iPhone 17 lineup, the actual volume of iPhone Air units will see a significant reduction starting from November, according to supply chain managers. Additionally, Nikkei Asia’s report indicates that Apple has increased the base iPhone 17 production by 5 million units and ramped up production for the Pro models.

Recent data from Counterpoint revealed that the iPhone 17 series outsold the iPhone 16 series by 14 percent during the first 10 days of availability in the US and China. Base iPhone 17 sales saw a notable 31 percent increase, with the introduction of an always-on, high-refresh-rate display receiving positive feedback. The iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max also experienced a 12 percent growth, attributed to carrier deals offering substantial discounts on upgrades. In contrast, the iPhone Air is reportedly performing similarly to its predecessor, the iPhone 16 Plus, making up the smallest portion of sales for their respective generations.