Apple scales back iPhone Air production, other iPhone 17 models keep shining

[Skye Jacobs]

What we know so far: Apple's thinnest iPhone is losing momentum, prompting a slight cut to its production forecast through the end of 2025, according to new data from Japan's Mizuho Securities. The investment research firm trimmed its estimate for the iPhone Air by about one million units, reflecting weaker-than-expected sales compared with Apple's other iPhone 17 models.

Mizuho's report indicates that overall iPhone output projections have also been adjusted. Apple's total annual shipments – previously pegged at 246 million units – are now expected to fall 7 percent to about 229 million units for 2026. The downgrade reflects uneven performance across the iPhone lineup, even as the company's flagship and base models continue to perform above expectations.

Sales of the iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max remain strong, with slight increases in planned production. The base iPhone 17 has been given an additional 2 million units of output, while the 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max forecasts were raised by 1 million and 4 million units, respectively.

These gains offset some of the declines in iPhone Air shipments, leading to an overall production revision upward – from 88 million units to 94 million – for Apple's current manufacturing cycle.

Introduced last month, the iPhone Air serves as Apple's new ultra-slim variant, engineered around a lighter chassis and optimized thermal design. The model is positioned between the standard iPhone 17 and the Pro line, offering a thinner frame, improved OLED display efficiency, and power management tuned for longer battery life despite its smaller form factor. However, Mizuho Securities suggests its appeal has been limited compared with the company's premium and entry-level models, which continue to attract the bulk of demand globally.

iFixit opened the iPhone Air to see how Apple had achieved its slim design

Despite the slower sales, the iPhone Air has shown particular strength in China, still the largest smartphone market in the world. Mizuho Securities notes that Apple's brand positioning and sustained consumer interest there provide some cushion against a deeper global slowdown for the model.

Even so, a continued softening of demand could push Apple to rebalance its production mix, shifting capacity toward the higher-selling iPhone 17 variants as the holiday quarter approaches.

The trend contrasts with rival Samsung's recent move to scale back its own thin smartphone efforts. Supply issues and lower-than-expected demand for the Galaxy S25 Edge led Samsung to cancel plans for its next-generation Galaxy S26 Edge, signaling a broader market challenge for ultra-slim flagship designs.

As the year progresses, Apple's response will likely hinge on how the iPhone Air performs in late-year sales cycles. For now, the company's traditional models appear to be carrying its production momentum, leaving the Air as a secondary player in a lineup otherwise performing ahead of expectations.

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Apple scales back iPhone Air production, other iPhone 17 models keep shining

 

[yRaz]

The enshitification of things has me looking at iPhones as I hate the new Android ecosystem, but the girl at work has many of the same complaints about her iPhone that I have about the S24+. Here is the thing about thin phones, especially for people like me with large hands. I like putting a large case on phones so I can hold them comfortably. That's on top of the fact that I work in commercial construction so a big, sturdy case is mandatory. I just don't understand the appeal of making phones thinner or smaller when I already have problems holding a phone that I try to make bigger by putting a large case on it.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

The iphone 17 pro max is a tempting device, given its battery life is on par with the best of android phones. I havent convinced myself to make the jump and spend the cash yet....

The enshitification of things has me looking at iPhones as I hate the new Android ecosystem, but the girl at work has many of the same complaints about her iPhone that I have about the S24+. Here is the thing about thin phones, especially for people like me with large hands. I like putting a large case on phones so I can hold them comfortably. That's on top of the fact that I work in commercial construction so a big, sturdy case is mandatory. I just don't understand the appeal of making phones thinner or smaller when I already have problems holding a phone that I try to make bigger by putting a large case on it.

There's a lot of people that dont have cases. Easy answer.

 

[Skully]

I don't know what research Apple does, but I have NEVER heard anyone saying they'd like a thinner phone. Better battery, better camera, more storage - sure. But never thinner. I'm sure those people are out there, but I'd say they are the exception.

 

[sreams]

The enshitification of things has me looking at iPhones as I hate the new Android ecosystem, but the girl at work has many of the same complaints about her iPhone that I have about the S24+. Here is the thing about thin phones, especially for people like me with large hands. I like putting a large case on phones so I can hold them comfortably. That's on top of the fact that I work in commercial construction so a big, sturdy case is mandatory. I just don't understand the appeal of making phones thinner or smaller when I already have problems holding a phone that I try to make bigger by putting a large case on it.

Like you said... your situation requires a big, sturdy case. If the phone was already big, your required case would make the phone unreasonably big. So doesn't that mean the current size is perfect?

 

[hahahanoobs]

It's a conversation piece to me, but that's about it.
Too many compromises.

 

[yRaz]

Like you said... your situation requires a big, sturdy case. If the phone was already big, your required case would make the phone unreasonably big. So doesn't that mean the current size is perfect?

even with a large case on my phone, it still feels small in my hand. When they say they're trying to make their phones smaller, I think of this image.

 

[Megalomaniac]

I am super happy with my iPhone 17 Pro Max 2TB, my Applewatch Ultra 2 and my Air Pod Pro 3.

Apple truly needs to develop eyeglasses in order to reclaim their title of innovation.

The iPhone AIR makes no sense to me. I'm sure the AIR 2 will add a second speaker and more battery life, but to sell a phone like that for $1000 makes no sense when you can buy a Pro or Pro Max instead.

If the Air was half the price - OK. $500? OK. $999? Nah...

 

[Hexic]

Apple, just do your normal thing and leave the innovation to the other device manufacturers and keep your usual lag of 3-5 years behind everyone else.

Jobs left along with your innovative spirit many moons ago.

 

[toooooot]

So yeah, people do not care about thinnest of cellphones. We can be assured about it now. I would like them to try the opposite: a slightly thicker phone with +40% battery size. Just a bit thicker but more battery

 

[BuckarooBonzaii]

Well I guess the only way to find out is to get it out there in wild, see what happens then go from there.

 

[GodisanAtheist]

So yeah, people do not care about thinnest of cellphones. We can be assured about it now. I would like them to try the opposite: a slightly thicker phone with +40% battery size. Just a bit thicker but more battery

-Introducing the Apple Brick, the first phone that only needs to be charged once over its entire six year lifespan...

 

[Theinsanegamer]

-Introducing the Apple Brick, the first phone that only needs to be charged once over its entire six year lifespan...

Fine by me. I used to use Zerolemon cases with their extended batteries.



If Apple had allowed third parties to use the same code as their own battery cases, I'd still use one.

 

[opckieran]

Well... Apple released another Vision... so there's no way they're gonna stop making this in another generation.

 

[GoldenGoat]

The Air model is actually selling pretty well. Apple is adjusting for their unrealistic expectations for it, especially for the price they are asking. It should have been $900 at most. It's a terrible value compared to the base model. It only shaves off 1/3 of the thickness leaving the camera hanging way out there. It is inferior to the base model in almost every way and they want an extra $200 for it. The main thing it has going for it are the best colors. You know which model Apple wants you to buy by what color options they give. The model with the best colors is going to be their higher profit margins.

 

[netman]

"Apple scales back iPhone Air production, other iPhone 17 models keep shining"

Another Apple Failure...!

 

[PurpaFur]

I just want more phones like the iPhone 12 mini. Something that my wife's tiny hands can comfortably hold. Why is that just so hard to find these days?