Key Takeaways
1. Apple is reportedly halting production of the iPhone Air due to lower-than-expected demand outside China, with a possibility of discontinuation by 2026.
2. Suppliers for the iPhone Air may cut production capacity by up to 80% by early 2026, as Apple focuses on its more popular standard and Pro models.
3. The smartphone market may see the introduction of the Galaxy S26 Plus from Samsung, replacing the Galaxy S25 Edge, while Apple’s plans for the iPhone Plus remain uncertain.
4. The potential discontinuation of the iPhone Air could discourage Chinese brands from launching ultra-slim smartphones, limiting innovation in the market.
5. These developments are speculative, and the future decisions of Samsung and Apple should be viewed with caution.
It appears that Samsung is not alone in struggling with the ultra-slim smartphone vision, as new rumors are popping up indicating that the Apple iPhone Air is not performing as well as Apple expected outside of China. This follows the news that Samsung will not be launching a new version of the Galaxy S25 Edge in 2026.
Rumors from Weibo
The latest buzz surrounding the Apple iPhone Air comes from a rumor shared on Weibo, as reported by Jukan on X. This rumor suggests that due to demand being colder than anticipated, Apple has changed its production plans for the iPhone Air. The production has reportedly been “halted” at the pre-processing phase because there’s enough stock, and it will only pick up again when orders increase.
In simpler terms, Apple isn’t making iPhone Air units continuously like it does for its more sought-after models. If demand doesn’t pick up, this could mean the end of the iPhone Air by 2026, a possibility pointed out by well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo on X.
Supplier Adjustments
According to Ming-Chi Kuo, a large number of iPhone Air suppliers are “expected to cut capacity by as much as 80%” by the first quarter of 2026. Furthermore, Apple is likely to cease sourcing components that have long lead times, which can include critical items like SoCs and rare earth minerals used in internal hardware, by the end of 2025. Kuo believes that this is because the standard and Pro iPhone models can meet most of the demand, which “leaves little opportunity to create new market segments,” a situation Apple has previously faced with the iPhone Mini and Plus.
The Future of Smartphones
So, what does this mean for the smartphone industry? To begin with, there are rumors that Samsung plans to introduce the Galaxy S26 Plus to take the place of the Galaxy S25 Edge next year. While it’s uncertain if Apple will also reconsider its decision to discontinue the iPhone Plus, there is a possibility that the company might take a similar approach. Additionally, we have the iPhone Fold to anticipate, with rumors hinting at a possible release in 2026 or 2027.
This discontinuation may also imply that many Chinese brands will steer clear of launching their ultra-slim smartphones. This is unfortunate since the smartphone market has matured, and genuinely exciting launches are increasingly rare.
As usual, all of this remains speculative, and we cannot be certain about the paths Samsung and Apple will choose. Therefore, it’s wise to consider this information with a bit of skepticism.
Source:
Link
Leave a Reply