Several reports are claiming that Apple has pushed back the launch of the second-generation iPhone Air. There won’t be an Air in next year’s fall lineup, and rumors are swirling that Apple might not even bother making another one. The reason being poor sales of course. It seems that no matter what Apple tries, consumers just aren’t falling in love with anything outside the standard and Pro models. Turns out, being thin isn’t that big of a deal outside the fashion industry.
Let’s look at the track record. First came the iPhone mini—tiny, cute, perfectly efficient — and yet it didn’t sell, which was a shame really because that phone did its due. Then there was the Plus, bigger and supposedly better, but it didn’t catch on either. Now comes the Air, thin and sleek, and it seems history is repeating itself. And clearly, third time is not the charm. Apple has tried small, big, and thin, and so far, none of these experiments have enamored the audience. Their product strategy sounds like some game of what size we can try this time.
The iPhone Air was supposed to carve out its own niche, offering a different balance of features and portability. Instead, it’s been apparently removed from the fall schedule.Why? Well, it seems most consumers weren’t too keen on paying almost ₹40,000 more than a standard new model for performance that, frankly, lagged behind in most areas. I think Apple needs to step back with these radical design ideas and get some fresh air and think real hard about what the consumers really want. And who’s to say, maybe they will finally launch the foldable iPhone this time around. Ahh, who am I kidding! At this point, it’s close to attaining the GTA 6 status of making the consumers wait.
But if Apple is serious about launching a fourth model that is sustainable, here’s an idea. Maybe, just maybe, they should try something radically simple: affordable. Not thin, thick, small or big, just plain old, affordable and efficient. Imagine that—a phone that doesn’t cost too much but still does what most people actually want. Oh wait, they did try that with the iPhone 16e but even that did not work out well enough! Well, I’m out of ideas. You are on your own, Apple.
For now, though, the iPhone Air is on hold. Apple’s experiment with the non-standard models continues to stumble, proving that even the tech giant can’t always predict what people will actually buy.
