Apple Analyst: iPhone Air sees production cuts due to weak demand

Following its official launch, it seems the iPhone Air is getting less attention from Apple fans.

Filo photo: iPhone Air

Is the thinnest iPhone a flop?

Renowned Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claimed that Apple is scaling back orders for its iPhone Air. This reported adjustment points to potential challenges for the thinnest model in the iPhone lineup.

According to the analysis, the pullback is significant, affecting both near-term shipments and long-term production capacity. The details suggest a substantial reduction in the supply chain's commitment to the device.

In a report, Ming-Chi Kuo stated, iPhone Air demand has fallen short of expectations, leading the supply chain to begin scaling back both shipments and production capacity. Most suppliers are expected to reduce capacity by more than 80 percent by 1Q26, while some components with longer lead times are expected to be discontinued by the end of 2025. This indicates that the existing Pro series and standard models already cover the majority of high-end user demand well, leaving little room to carve out new market segments and positioning, as previous attempts with the mini, Plus, and now Air models have all failed to gain traction.

This development places the iPhone Air in a similar category to previous models like the iPhone mini and iPhone Plus, which also struggled to secure a lasting position in the market. The reported scaling back of the Air model so early in its lifecycle raises questions about its long-term future.

Ultra-thin form factor

However, industry observers note that such production adjustments do not necessarily signal a product failure. Apple's iPhone Pro models typically see the strongest initial sales, and the company frequently fine-tunes production post-launch to align with demand across its entire product range. The company's vast and agile supply chain is designed for this kind of flexibility. 

It remains possible that, like other non-Pro models before it, the iPhone Air could find a more stable market position after the initial launch period. Conversely, the scale of the reported cutbacks also leaves open the possibility that this could be the only generation of the iPhone Air released.

What do you guys think?

Source: Ming-Chi Kuo