Report: Apple massively scaling down iPhone Air production

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Apple is said to have drastically cut production orders for the iPhone Air, reducing manufacturing to around 10 percent of September's volume starting in November. This is reported by Nikkei Asia citing several people familiar with the matter from the supply chain. At the same time, the US company is significantly increasing orders for the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro – the overall forecast of 85 to 90 million units for the iPhone 17 series thus remains stable.

The adjustment of production plans reflects the entirely different market reaction to the individual models. While the iPhone Air is expected to generate little interest outside of China, demand for the standard and Pro variants is apparently exceeding expectations. Apple has increased production orders for the base iPhone 17 model by about 5 million units and also increased orders for the iPhone 17 Pro, according to sources.

iPhone Air disappoints

Originally, the iPhone Air was supposed to account for about 10 to 15 percent of totally new iPhone production in 2025. Now, according to the report, several Apple suppliers have been instructed to largely reduce components and electronic modules for this model. A manager from the supply chain describes the current production orders as almost at "End-of-Production" level, which is normally only reached at the end of an iPhone year. Although the iPhone Air only went on sale in China last week. It is said to be meeting with high demand there.

The differing popularity of the models was already evident during the ordering process: on Apple's official US website, the average waiting time for an iPhone 17 with 256 gigabytes of storage and free shipping is currently two to three weeks, and for the iPhone 17 Pro, one to two weeks. For the iPhone Air, on the other hand, there is no waiting time. The situation is similar in the German Apple Online Store: iPhone 17 and 17 Pro have delivery dates between early and mid-November, while the iPhone Air is available immediately.

China launch delayed due to eSIM regulation

In China, the iPhone Air only came onto the market with a significant delay. The reason was Beijing's regulations on eSIM technology. While Apple unveiled the iPhone 17 series on September 9 and began sales in most markets on September 19, Chinese customers had to wait until last week for the Air model. The first sales days in China, however, were quite positive according to Nikkei.

Overall, the iPhone 17 series has sold 14 percent better in China and the US – Apple's two largest markets – in the first ten sales days than the iPhone 16 series in the previous year. The main driver of this growth is the base iPhone 17 model. Sales figures for the July-to-September quarter were above the previous year's value, even though the smartphone market as a whole is stagnating.

Pioneer for foldable iPhone in 2026

Strategically, the iPhone Air was intended to pave the way for Apple's first foldable iPhone, expected in 2026. Three people familiar with the matter confirmed this role for the ultra-thin model. Apple is placing great hopes on the launch of a foldable next year.

Suppliers are generally relieved that Apple can meet its overall forecast. Other manufacturers have recorded declines for 2025, attributed in part to trade disputes and the global economic situation.

(mki)