Apple may postpone the launch of the iPhone Air 2 because sales of the first generation are disappointing. The Information reports that plans for the new iPhone Air, which would be released in autumn 2026 alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, may have been scrapped.
The disappointment with the iPhone Air seems like another failed experiment in Apple’s search for a successful ‘fourth iPhone’, after previous disappointments with the iPhone mini and iPhone Plus. All focus is now on the foldable iPhone expected in the fall of 2026.
Weak sales figures lead to production halts
Sales of the iPhone Air, which launched in September 2025, have been significantly disappointing. Research firm CIRP reported that the iPhone Air accounted for just 3% of total iPhone sales in September – significantly lower than other models from the same period, such as the iPhone 17 Pro (9%) and iPhone 17 Pro Max (12%). The poor sales result had direct consequences for production.
Starting this month, Apple suppliers will according to sources to Nikkei are only producing about 10% of the parts needed for the iPhone Air in September, meaning production is almost completely at a standstill. This is exceptional for a new device that has only just appeared on the market.
Analysts and market data show that there is little interest in the iPhone Air. Sales strength lags behind other recent iPhones, such as the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro (Max), for which production is being increased due to continued demand. Customers more often choose the regular models with better cameras and a larger battery. During the presale and subsequent weeks, shipments of the iPhone Air were available almost immediately, which usually indicates lower sales.
Standard iPhone and Pro models too strong
The disappointing sales figures of the iPhone Air are in line with a series in which Apple proved unable to create a successful fourth iPhone model to supplement the standard and Pro variants. The iPhone mini, introduced in 2020, was too small for most users and was therefore withdrawn from the market. Apple then tried with the iPhone Plus – a larger model with the same specs as the standard model – but this model also failed. The iPhone Air was supposed to be an elegant middle ground, but its combination of high pricing and functional compromises put it in the same category as its predecessors: commercially inadequate.
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo from TF International Securities, known for its accurate Apple predictions, agrees that the iPhone Air has fallen short of expectations. According to Kuo, the Pro and Standard models have already well met the demand of high-end consumers, leaving little room to carve out new market segments.
Future plans uncertain
Apple is already working on a second generation iPhone Air with a lighter frame, vapor chamber cooling, larger battery capacity and possibly an extra camera, but this project is now under discussion. If the plans go ahead, the next generation could arrive no earlier than early 2027, possibly at the same time as the basic iPhone 18 and the entry-level iPhone 18e.
The iPhone Air situation underlines how difficult it is for Apple to successfully market innovative niche segments. Instead of offering an attractive alternative, the device failed to convince consumers that ultra-thinness was worth sacrificing core features.
Buy iPhone Air at a discount
Despite the low sales figures, the iPhone Air is certainly a good purchase, especially now at a discount. The device has a slim design of only 5.6 mm, making it the thinnest iPhone. Additionally, the Air offers Face ID and a bright, bezel-less always-on ProMotion display for a premium experience.
For those looking for a compact iPhone with modern technology and a good balance between design and functionality, the Air is an attractive option. Below you can see where the iPhone Air is currently cheapest at popular web shops, Apple’s suggested retail price is € 1229.
