- iPhone Air sales fall far short of expectations and Apple reduces production.
- The ultra-thin design necessitates cutting back on battery, camera, and other key features.
- The high price compared to other more complete iPhones is deterring buyers.
- The failure of the iPhone Air cools plans for ultra-thin phones in China and shifts the focus to foldable phones.
El The iPhone Air is not selling at the rate Apple expected.The ultra-thin model that was supposed to mark a turning point in the company's catalog has ended up becoming one of the coldest releases in recent yearswith sales well below initial forecasts and production that has already been significantly reduced.
In a market where users are increasingly looking at the relationship between price, battery, camera and performanceThe push for extreme thinness hasn't quite paid off. The result is a device that's visually striking and very comfortable to hold, but which Many consumers perceive it as a more expensive iPhone with fewer features. than other models in the same 17 range.
An ultra-thin design that comes at a high price in terms of performance
When it was unveiled, Apple sold the iPhone 17 Air as its most groundbreaking design Since the iPhone X. With a thickness of only 5,6 mm, approximately one third less than the thinnest iPhone up to that point, the device was at the forefront of what consumer engineering allows today.
To achieve that profile, the Cupertino firm had to sacrificing key elements such as battery, camera system and physical SIMInstead of a versatile camera module, the Air sticks with a single rear camera and does away with the ultra-wide and telephoto lenses, something many users already consider standard in high-end mobile phones.
Evidence published by specialized media suggests that Autonomy is lower than the rest of the models in the 17 seriesThis is especially problematic in a segment where users are expected to comfortably make it through the day. Adding to this is a sound system limited to a single speaker, another compromise that is noticeable in games, videos, and streaming services.
In terms of user experience, analysts agree that the result is a device that feels futuristic in hand, very light and comfortable to use, but falls a little short precisely in the areas that many European buyers consider priorities: battery, camera and everyday versatility.
High price and little advantage over other iPhones
The other major obstacle to the iPhone Air is its price. In Spain, the model starts at... 1.219 euros for the 256 GB versionThis clearly puts it above the standard iPhone 17 and very close to the iPhone 17 Pro, which offers superior performance in almost every aspect.
That puts Air in an awkward position: It costs considerably more than the iPhone 17 and is only slightly cheaper than the 17 Pro.However, it offers fewer cameras, worse battery life, and some compromises in sound and functionality. The proposition of paying over a thousand euros just for a thinner design doesn't quite convince most buyers.
In other markets, such as the United States or Central Europe, the pattern is similar: the Air costs around $999 or the equivalent in local currency, a price point that many users reserve for Pro models or Android devices with very comprehensive specifications. Hence, analysts refer to it as a uncompetitive price positioning for what it offers.
Some have been seen in Spain temporary discount at stores like Amazonwhere the device has even fallen below its official retail price. However, not even these discounts have radically changed the general perception: compared to a cheaper iPhone 17 with better battery life and very similar features, the Air is seen as a less logical purchase for the average user; moreover, many buyers prefer verify the authenticity of the equipment by taking advantage of offers.
Analyst warnings and production cuts
The first signs that the iPhone Air was not selling as expected They appeared just weeks after its launch. Firms like Morgan Stanley were already talking in October about "relatively weak" demand for this model within the 17 family.
Data handled by consulting firms such as IDC indicates that Apple reduced iPhone Air production by approximately half Shortly after its market launch, sales were found to be only around a third of the most optimistic forecast. Other industry players, such as Jefferies, agree with this assessment and speak of an "internal debate" within the company about the future of this product line.
In the European retail channel, the situation has become visible in a somewhat paradoxical way: The iPhone Air was still relatively readily available. While other models, like the iPhone 17 Pro, were either sold out or had longer delivery times, this aligns with the idea that the ultra-thin model hasn't generated the same level of interest as the rest of the family.
Recent checks on the supply chain suggest that Apple could stop manufacturing new units of the iPhone 17 Air in 2026 If demand doesn't pick up, some suppliers are talking about the possibility of a future iPhone 18 Air with a larger battery and a second rear camera, but even those plans are reportedly being handled cautiously and on a less typical timeline for Apple.
The iPhone Air as a trial run towards the foldable iPhone
Despite the commercial setback, some analysts see the iPhone Air as a an intermediate step towards a future generation of foldable iPhonesThe engineering work required to build such a thin mobile phone could serve as the basis for book-like devices with two very thin halves.
It's practically a given in the industry that Apple is preparing a foldable model for the coming yearsWith many betting on its arrival around 2026, this potential "Fold" from the brand would arrive as a much more disruptive proposal than the Air, since it would not only change the design, but also the way the phone is used, multiplying the screen space.
Unlike the Air, where the main novelty is its thinness, a A foldable iPhone would offer something that users don't have today.A hybrid format between a mobile phone and a small tablet, with new possibilities for working, playing, or consuming content. This could translate into a greater margin to justify high prices, something key if Apple wants to set trends and leave room for other manufacturers to compete at lower prices.
In that scenario, the relative failure of iPhone Air sales would be interpreted as a market lesson: It's not enough to change the form; we also need to add more functionality.And the real turning point, according to many experts, will come with foldable phones, not with traditional ultra-thin ones.
The trajectory of the iPhone Air makes one thing quite clear: at a time when mobile phones are already light and manageable, European audiences punish concessions in battery and camera work Although the design is spectacular, Apple's ultra-thin model has ended up selling less than expected, forcing production cuts and cooling the craze for extremely thick smartphones, pushing the industry to look more towards foldable phones and phones that are better balanced in price and performance.
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