New Delhi: Apple has delayed the release of the next iPhone Air, which was planned to be released in autumn 2026, after poor sales of the existing model. The Information reported that the move depicts weak consumer enthusiasm towards the slimmer and lighter variant that debuted in 2025. The iPhone Air was introduced as a minimalist, smooth version of the flagship Apple brand but was criticised for having a smaller battery and worse camera capabilities.
Sources familiar with the issue informed it that the next iPhone Air was eliminated from the production list of Apple, and no new date has been announced. The major suppliers, such as Foxconn and Luxshare, are reported to have stopped or shut down the assembly work, with Foxconn breaking down most of the production lines and Luxshare ceasing production altogether by October. Apple has not made any comment on the report.
Production scaled back across supply chain
It has been reported that the supply chain partners of the Apple company have already initiated the winding down operation of the iPhone Air production. Foxconn will cease assembly by the end of November, and Luxshare is said to have ceased operations in October. Managers within Apple have made it clear to teams that the next generation will not be on the roadmap at the moment, indicating that the company is looking at the future of the model as a whole.
Mixed signals from the market
Although some analysts attribute this to slow demand, others claim the news about the lack of performance of the iPhone Air is overrated. Some observers in the industry, such as Ming-Chi Kuo, allege that Apple had to reduce its manufacturing projections by 2025, though companies like TD Cowen argue that the iPhone projections are not changing. The iPhone Air, which is sold in China as an eSIM-only phone lacking a SIM tray, is cited as having sold out in preorders in October.
There are rumours that a possible iPhone Air 2 may have a larger battery and better thermal control without being heavier than its predecessor, claims which some analysts consider to be conflicting. At present, the plans of Apple to postpone the following version make it clear that the company is quite flexible in terms of the product strategy and seeks to adapt to the real demand. Whether the iPhone Air will resume its old glory or pass away slowly is yet to be determined.