Apple appears to be scaling back its iPhone Air production, according to a new report from renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has a strong track record of accurate Apple forecasts.
The analyst revealed that Apple is not only cutting down shipments but also reducing production capacity for the newly introduced iPhone Air lineup.
Kuo notes that most Apple suppliers will reduce iPhone Air production capacity by over 80% by Q1 2026, with certain component suppliers expected to discontinue production altogether by the end of 2025. This sharp cutback suggests that Apple may be adjusting its manufacturing strategy in response to lower-than-expected demand.
The move echoes Apple’s previous decisions with underperforming models like the iPhone mini and iPhone Plus, both of which struggled to achieve strong sales compared to the company’s flagship Pro series. Despite the cutbacks, Kuo emphasized that this doesn’t necessarily mean the iPhone Air has failed — instead, Apple could simply be fine-tuning its production to prioritize the more profitable iPhone Pro models.
Apple’s extensive supply chain gives it flexibility to adjust production volumes quickly in response to changing market conditions. Historically, non-Pro iPhones tend to gain traction a few months after launch as demand stabilizes across global markets. However, analysts caution that if sales momentum doesn’t improve, this could end up being the only generation of the iPhone Air ever released.
Apple introduced the iPhone Air as a lighter, more affordable alternative to the Pro lineup, aiming to strike a balance between performance and design. But with reports of modest initial sales and production scaling back so soon, the future of the iPhone Air series now appears uncertain.
For now, Apple is expected to shift focus toward its flagship Pro lineup while continuing to evaluate market response to determine whether the iPhone Air remains part of its long-term strategy.