Just six weeks after its grand debut, Apple’s iPhone Air—a sleek, ultrathin addition to the iPhone 17 lineup—is facing a brutal reality check, with production slashed to “near-zero” levels due to dismal sales, according to a report by The Verge on October 23, 2025. While the broader iPhone 17 series has enjoyed robust demand, the Air model, which replaced the iPhone 16 Plus, has flopped spectacularly, accounting for a mere 10-15% of projected production orders for the lineup.
The iPhone Air was Apple’s bold bet on a lighter, thinner design, marketed as the slimmest smartphone in the company’s history. Yet, its Achilles’ heel proved to be its battery, compromised by the device’s svelte frame. Tech reviewers, including YouTuber MKBHD, noted that the Air’s battery capacity mirrors that of the older iPhone 13 Pro, delivering lackluster performance compared to rivals and even other iPhone 17 models. Battery tests across platforms have painted a grim picture, with the Air lagging significantly behind every major smartphone on the market, souring consumer enthusiasm.
In stark contrast, the iPhone 17 has seen 31% higher demand than its iPhone 16 predecessor, while the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models enjoyed a 12% sales bump, per industry data. Apple responded to the uneven performance by boosting iPhone 17 production by 5 million units, with a heavy focus on the Pro models, according to Nikkei Asia. The Air’s failure, however, marks a rare misstep for Apple, which had pinned high hopes on its design overhaul to capture the premium market.
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The iPhone Air’s tepid reception echoes the lukewarm response to the iPhone 16 Plus, suggesting Apple may have misjudged consumer priorities. While the Air’s featherweight build and sleek aesthetics drew initial buzz, buyers appear unwilling to trade battery life for style, especially with power-hungry apps and 5G demands. Social media platforms like X have been abuzz with user complaints, with some calling the Air “a step too far” in Apple’s quest for thinness.
Apple now faces a crossroads: either overhaul the iPhone Air’s battery for a potential iPhone Air 2 or abandon the experiment altogether. Analysts are skeptical, noting that the Air’s struggles could dent Apple’s innovation halo at a time when competitors like iQOO are gaining ground with high-performance flagships.
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