Flop with iPhone Air: Competition reportedly losing interest in flat phones
Apple's iPhone Air is the first completely new iPhone form factor in years – and it's apparently not doing as well as expected. The industry is taking notice.
iPhone Air with additional battery: Nicely flat, but too many disadvantages?
(Image: Apple)
Will there soon be no more super-thin smartphones? Apple's alleged flop is causing a stir in the Android industry. According to reports, Chinese manufacturers in particular have decided to curb or completely abandon potential rival projects. This is reported by the trade newspaper DigiTimes, which is published in Taipei, citing sources from mainland China. Huawei and Xiaomi are reportedly affected, but also Vivo and Oppo, which could see strategic changes.
Thinnest iPhone not in demand?
With the iPhone Air (test) introduced in September, Apple presented the thinnest iPhone of all time, which is also one of the thinnest smartphones ever. However, just a few weeks after its release, it became apparent that demand was apparently lower than Apple had aimed for.
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For a long time, the Air was available in Apple stores without waiting – unlike the quickly sold-out other models, especially from the iPhone 17 Pro series. Although Apple itself does not disclose sales figures, sources from the supply chain indicated that Apple had already reduced production. Later, it was reported that a second generation of the Air is therefore delayed on the market, although this was probably Apple's long-term plan. Some customers stated that they did not like the disadvantages of the iPhone Air. For example, the battery is smaller than in conventional models, and there is only one rear camera.
Disadvantages allegedly too great
The situation is being closely monitored in China. Previously, Samsung had also experienced difficulties getting its thin Edge to customers. Xiaomi was reportedly planning to produce a true Air competitor, while Huawei was planning similar projects. Vivo wanted to thin down its S series, even though it targets middle-income earners.
The Android manufacturers are apparently looking with concern at the further compromises that a thin smartphone entails: for example, the lack of a physical SIM card slot (or even two), which is very popular in China. Currently, many projects are said to have been "frozen" or canceled entirely. The Chinese Android scene is actually considered innovative; for example, Huawei has launched a multi-fold phone. This is thinner than the iPhone Air.
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