[News] Apple Reportedly Cuts iPhone 17 Air Output, Boosts Base Model by 5M Units

The iPhone Air is part of Apple’s new iPhone 17 lineup, featuring an ultra-thin design as its standout feature. However, the experiment appears to have fallen short, with reports indicating disappointing sales. According to Nikkei, sources indicate that Apple is sharply reducing production orders for the iPhone Air while increasing output for other iPhone 17 models, driven by strong overall demand for the lineup.

As the report notes, citing sources, Apple’s production adjustments reflect the iPhone Air’s underwhelming reception in markets outside China, where it was only launched last week. Production orders for the model have reportedly been reduced to nearly “end-of-production” levels.

Under the original production plan, the iPhone Air was expected to make up about 10% to 15% of total new iPhone output this year. However, sources cited in the report indicate that from November onward, production orders for the model will fall to less than 10% of September’s volume.

Though its sales have been weaker than expected, the model still plays a key role in paving the way for Apple’s first foldable iPhone, which the company aims to launch in 2026, as the report states.

In contrast, the report highlights resilient demand for the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro despite trade tensions and weak smartphone sales. Apple is reportedly holding its 85–90 million unit target for the lineup as a whole while lifting production for the baseline iPhone 17 by about 5 million units and adding orders for the Pro model.

Regarding the disappointing sales of the iPhone Air, TechNews notes that while some users have given positive feedback on its battery life and overall user experience, demand in the high-end market is becoming saturated, and design differences alone are no longer enough to drive upgrades. The report, citing 9to5Google, adds that Samsung’s ultra-thin Galaxy S25 Edge has faced similar sales pressure. Samsung has reportedly decided to cancel development of future Galaxy Edge models, with the current version to be discontinued once existing inventory is sold out.

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(Photo credit: Apple)