Apple has delayed the launch of its second-generation iPhone Air indefinitely following weak sales of the ultra-thin model introduced just two months ago. The next iPhone Air, originally slated for fall 2026, has been removed from the company’s roadmap, according to a report from The Information.
Engineers and suppliers were notified recently, and production partners are scaling back sharply. Luxshare will halt assembly by the end of October, while Foxconn will shut down all production by late November.
Since its September debut, the iPhone Air has failed to attract consumers despite being Apple’s thinnest phone ever at just 5.6mm. The sleek design came with compromises — a single rear camera and shorter battery life — that left many users underwhelmed, especially given its $999 price tag.
A survey by KeyBanc Capital Markets found “virtually no demand” for the iPhone Air, with buyers favoring the iPhone 17 and 17 Pro models instead. The sales slump mirrors Apple’s earlier struggles to establish a fourth lineup after discontinuing the iPhone mini and the short-lived Plus models.
Apple had been developing a next-generation Air with improved cooling, a lighter frame, and a larger battery. However, after this setback, the company may rethink the entire concept. For now, Apple plans to release the iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, and a foldable iPhone in fall 2026, while the base iPhone 18 will arrive in early 2027.