Apple has postponed the release of the next-generation model of its ultra-thin smartphone, the ‘iPhone Air’, due to poor sales. Initially planned to be unveiled in fall 2026 alongside the ‘iPhone 18 Pro’, the release has been indefinitely delayed as market reactions did not meet expectations.
The American IT specialist media outlet, The Information, reported on the 10th (local time) that “Apple has delayed the launch of the next model due to poor sales performance of the iPhone Air.” Although Apple first launched the iPhone Air in September of last year, sales have been sluggish since its release, and production has reportedly continued to decline.
There is a clear trend of reduction in the supply chain as well. The main manufacturer Foxconn is said to have dismantled most of the production lines for the iPhone Air and is currently maintaining only about one-half. All production will reportedly cease by the end of this month. Another partner, Luxshare, already halted production in October.
Industry insiders have said, “The demand for the iPhone Air was much lower than expected, leading Apple to decide to reduce production early.”
The iPhone Air was noted for its ultra-slim body measuring 5.6mm as the “thinnest iPhone.” Apple attempted a significant change in appearance for the first time since the ‘iPhone X’ in 2017, aiming to boost demand through design innovation.
However, compromises in performance were inevitable to achieve the thin thickness, such as reducing battery capacity and minimizing the rear camera to a single lens. Consumers have assessed it as a model that is “stylish but lacks practicality.”
Price was also cited as a cause for dissatisfaction. The basic price of the iPhone Air is 1.59 million won, which is only 200,000 won cheaper than the 1.79 million won iPhone 17 Pro. The iPhone 17 Pro features a triple camera and a much longer battery lifespan. Ultimately, consumers chose the Pro model with superior functions over “a similarly priced model with only design differences.”
The lackluster performance of the iPhone Air shows once again that Apple has not succeeded in creating a fourth lineup beyond the ‘standard’ and ‘pro’ models.
In 2020, Apple introduced the small model ‘iPhone Mini’, but it did not sell well due to its small screen size. Later, they launched the ‘iPhone Plus’ as a low-cost alternative to the Pro Max, but its market response was also weak.
Apple then tried to find a new breakthrough with the iPhone Air, which promoted being ‘light and thin’, but once again failed to meet the market’s expectations.
According to The Information, Apple plans to operate a “split” launch schedule for iPhones from 2026. The iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and foldable iPhone were planned to be launched in fall 2026, while the basic iPhone 18 and the low-cost model ‘iPhone 18e’ were set for early 2027.
However, the next model of the iPhone Air is now likely to be released alongside the iPhone 18 series in spring 2027 instead of fall 2026.
Apple is currently continuing the development of the next-generation iPhone Air. The new model is being considered to be lighter than the previous one, with a vapor chamber cooling system and a large-capacity battery. However, there is also speculation that Apple might reassess the overall design direction.
Industry experts believe that Apple will need to reassess its lineup strategy with the iPhone Air case as consumers prioritize practical features such as battery performance and camera capabilities over design.
There is also a cumulative sense of fatigue with the high-price policy. Although the sales proportion of Pro models has continuously increased in recent years, whether a strategy centered on high-priced models will help expand market share in the long term remains uncertain.
An industry analyst stated, “The poor performance of the iPhone Air is not just a product failure but shows that Apple needs to rebalance design, performance, and price.”
Despite the poor sales, Apple plans to maintain its ultra-thin technology. However, it is expected that the development of the next-generation models will focus on improving practical usability, such as enhancing battery performance and cooling systems.
