It was meant to be the future of smartphone design: impossibly thin, incredibly light, and a testament to Apple's engineering prowess. But according to a new report, the iPhone Air's future is now in doubt. Apple has reportedly delayed the release of its next-generation ultra-thin phone following shockingly weak sales of the current model.
The news comes as a significant shift in strategy for a company known for sticking to its product roadmaps. It seems that even Apple isn't immune to the market's verdict when a product, despite its strengths, misses the mark on key features that consumers value.
A Tale of Two Reviews: The iPhone Air's Highs and Lows
When the iPhone Air launched, critics were unanimous in their praise for its design and display. Our own in-depth review found it to be a performer, highlighting its strong processing power, excellent screen, and a truly premium, ultra-slim form factor that felt like holding a piece of the future.
However, that sleek design came at a cost—several costs, in fact. For such a premium price point, the compromises were hard to ignore: a tiny battery that struggled to last a full day, a single rear camera in an era of versatile multi-lens systems, and the outdated USB 2.0 transfer speeds. For many potential buyers, these were not just minor quibbles but deal-breaking caveats in a highly competitive market.
The Domino Effect: From Poor Sales to Production Cuts
The market's response was swift and clear. Sales of the iPhone Air have reportedly been so poor that Apple was forced to significantly cut production shortly after its launch. The ripple effect is now being felt across its supply chain.
Production at Apple's manufacturing partner, Foxconn, is expected to be temporarily halted by the end of November. This follows an earlier production stop at another key assembler, Luxshare in late October. The big question now is whether production will ever resume once the existing stock in channels is sold off.
This dramatic drop in demand appears to be the direct cause of the decision to delay the sequel. According to a new report from The Information, Apple has informed engineers and suppliers that the next-generation iPhone Air has been removed from its current schedule. This means it will not launch alongside the iPhone 18 lineup in September 2026 as originally planned.
What's Next for the iPhone Air 2?
For now, it's important to note that only the scheduled release date has been canceled, not the iPhone Air 2 project itself. The report indicates that some engineers are still assigned to work on the ultra-thin smartphone, suggesting Apple hasn't completely abandoned the vision.
This delay gives Apple crucial time to go back to the drawing board. The core complaint about the current model is that its thinness came at the expense of battery life and modern features. The engineering challenge for "iPhone Air 2" will be to retain that breathtaking design while incorporating the practical necessities users demand.
Whether we'll see a redesigned, more capable iPhone Air in 2027 or if the project will be shelved indefinitely remains up in the air. One thing is certain: in the pursuit of thinness, Apple may have learned that some lines shouldn't be crossed.