Reports suggest Apple is dialing back production of its premium, ultra-slim device, the iPhone Air, following underwhelming sales performance. The news, originating from Japan’s Mizuho Securities, paints a picture where one model stands as a notable exception in an otherwise strong year for the iPhone lineup.
According to Mizuho, Apple plans a production cut of one million units for the iPhone Air. However, the rest of the iPhone 17 series is performing exceptionally well.
Apple cuts iPhone Air production; other models sell well
The standard iPhone 17 is reportedly a greater success, significantly outperforming its predecessor. The Pro and Pro Max models also show stronger year-over-year demand. As a result, Apple plans to increase production across the other models. More specifically, the company is raising the total forecast for the entire iPhone 17 series from 88 million to 94 million units by early 2026. The Air model is simply failing to keep pace.
This struggle is not unique to Apple. The iPhone Air was an attempt to establish a new, premium “super slim” trend. Meanwhile, consumer data suggests this niche is having trouble gaining traction. Its primary rival, Samsung, is reportedly dealing with similar low sales figures for its Galaxy S25 Edge, which also attempts the ultra-thin form factor. Recent reports even indicate Samsung scrapped plans for the Galaxy S26 Edge, opting instead to revive the standard-sized Plus model.
The reason for this cold reception might be straightforward. Thinness often comes at the cost of two things consumers genuinely prioritize: battery life and affordability. Devices like the iPhone Air and Galaxy S25 Edge carry premium price tags while sacrificing the internal space that could house a larger battery.
Motorola attacks the “super-slim” segment with another approach
Interestingly, Motorola recently entered the slim phone field with the Moto X70. This is a mid-range device that directly addresses these pain points. The X70 offers a more affordable price point and a noticeably larger battery. Motorola is trying a different approach to the segment to try and achieve success. It’s possible that the usual high-end phone consumer prioritizes aspects other than slimness.
For now, the data indicates that users value other things beyond having the absolute thinnest phone available. The “super-slim phone” revolution appears to be on pause.
