Apple plans to drastically reduce iPhone Air manufacturing by 80% owing to the device’s inability to fulfil Apple’s expectations. The iPhone Air, which was released in September 2025 for $999, is Apple’s thinnest phone ever at 5.6mm and lightest since the 2020 iPhone 12 Mini. According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, while Apple’s entire production for the iPhone 17 series will remain between 85 and 90 million units, iPhone Air devices will reach almost “end of production” levels. The move follows claims that Apple is curtailing manufacturing for the ultra-slim iPhone.
According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple’s iPhone Air, a 5.6mm thin device, is in trouble as its supply chain intends to reduce manufacturing by up to 80% in Q1 2026. Many suppliers will likewise reduce shipments and manufacturing by up to 80%. Some components with longer lead times may be phased out altogether by the end of 2025. The inability of the iPhone Air to meet sales forecasts is the cause of these shifts. Apple recently decreased manufacturing plans by 1 million devices, but a Nikkei Asia report claims the corporation is now likely to significantly reduce production of the ultra-thin model.
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Despite being available for pre-order, Apple’s iPhone Air has failed to meet its sales targets due to its high price. Apple’s manufacturing orders for the iPhone 17 will be less than 10% of the amount from September, with the iPhone Air contributing 10-15% of the projected production. The iPhone 17 has been raised by 5 million units, while the Pro model has been boosted.
Apple’s decision to sell a battery MagSafe cover for the Air did not increase confidence among consumers. The Air’s sales stats indicate that the iPhone Pro series and base iPhone already meet the bulk of high-end customer demand, leaving a limited possibility for expansion through other model variations.
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According to Counterpoint research, the iPhone 17 series outsold the iPhone 16 series by 14% in its first ten days of availability in the United States and China. Low demand outside China is a big factor.
The price of the iPhone Air in India starts at Rs 1,19,900 for the 256GB storage. The price of the 512GB and 1TB storage models will set you back at Rs 1,39,900 and Rs 1,59,900, respectively.
