iPhone Air and iPhone 16e sales slip, but successors reportedly still on the way
After months of chatter about softer-than-expected demand for Apple’s ultra-slim iPhone Air, a new rumor suggests the iPhone 16e may be facing similar headwinds. A Weibo-based tipster, Fixed Focus Digital, claims both the iPhone Air and the iPhone 16e “did not sell very well.” It’s unclear whether this refers specifically to China or reflects a broader global trend, but the takeaway is the same: these models may not be resonating as strongly as Apple hoped.
Even so, the same tipster believes Apple isn’t abandoning the strategy. Successors are reportedly in development, including an iPhone Air 2 and an iPhone 17e. That aligns with ongoing supply chain movement and suggests Apple may refine the formula rather than scrap it.
The iPhone Air production picture paints a clearer story. According to prior reporting, Foxconn—one of the key manufacturers for the ultra-slim model alongside Luxshare—has already wound down almost all iPhone Air production, leaving only one full line and half of another still running. By the end of the month, those final lines are expected to stop as well. Luxshare, the other assembler, halted its iPhone Air lines back in October. A pause like this often signals an inventory correction as Apple clears existing stock before a potential refresh or strategic pivot.
Conflicting reports have swirled around the fate of the iPhone Air 2. One account claimed Apple had delayed the sequel indefinitely due in part to lukewarm reception. A subsequent report countered that the next ultra-slim iPhone is still moving forward—and could add a meaningful upgrade: a second rear camera, specifically an ultra-wide 48-megapixel sensor. If accurate, that change would address one of the common critiques of minimalist iPhone models by boosting photographic versatility without sacrificing the thin-and-light appeal.
What it means for buyers is straightforward. If you’re interested in Apple’s sleekest design but have been waiting for a more capable camera system, the rumored iPhone Air 2 could be worth watching. And for those curious about Apple’s more affordable lineup, the suggestion that an iPhone 17e is on the roadmap implies the “e” series isn’t a one-off experiment.
As always with supply chain whispers and tipster claims, details can shift. But taken together—dampened sales chatter, production slowdowns to clear inventory, and rumors of a camera-focused refresh—the narrative points to Apple recalibrating its ultra-slim and “e” strategies rather than abandoning them. If Apple adds meaningful features like a dual-camera setup to the next iPhone Air while keeping its signature thin profile, it could turn a slow start into a stronger second act.
