24th October 2025 – (Cupertino) Manufacturing capacity for Apple’s recently launched iPhone Air is expected to be reduced by more than eighty per cent over the coming quarters, with complete cessation planned for certain long-lead components by the end of next year. This substantial pullback follows multiple independent reports indicating consistently poor consumer response to the ultra-thin model.
Industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggests the device’s underwhelming market performance demonstrates that Apple’s established iPhone 17 and 17 Pro variants already satisfy the core requirements of the premium smartphone segment. This assessment implies limited commercial space for additional product categories within the company’s flagship lineup.
The technology giant appears to be confronting a recurring challenge with its experimental fourth iPhone model slot. Previous attempts, including the compact iPhone mini and the more affordable Plus version, similarly failed to achieve sustained market traction. The current iPhone Air, with its 5.6mm profile that necessitated compromises on certain features, represents the latest iteration in this series of unsuccessful form-factor experiments.
This pattern is not unique to Apple, with rival Samsung Electronics reportedly encountering analogous consumer indifference towards its own slender handset, the Galaxy S25 Edge. Sources indicate that development of a subsequent model in that series has been cancelled following disappointing sales figures.
Looking forward, industry speculation suggests Apple may introduce an entirely new design as early as 2026, with rumours pointing towards a foldable iPhone model potentially launching as part of the iPhone 18 series. This would mark another strategic shift in the company’s approach to diversifying its premium smartphone portfolio.
