Apple’s thinnest iPhone ever, the iPhone Air, was meant to create a new category for the company: a sleeker, lighter version of its flagship that blended portability with performance. However, iPhone 17 Air has hit one roadblock after the other since its launch, namely, poor demand.
As a result, Apple has apparently delayed the launch of iPhone Air 2 from 2026 to 2027. The iPhone Air’s lacklustre sales essentially made
Apple scale back its orders for the components from its suppliers.
A promising start that didn’t land
iPhone 17 Air launched this year in September 2025, and the hype around it was real. However, all the enthusiasm faded really quickly. The reason is the trade-offs: a single-lens camera, underwhelming battery life, and limited thermal efficiency.
While the Air had a promising approach, it didn’t match up to the expectations, despite being a very practical option. Therefore, the sales went cold, leaving Apple reassessing their plan. Now, according to the reports, iPhone Air 2’s production has been delayed by a year.
Production slows
Manufacturers like Foxconn have cut production to half for 2026. Internally, Apple is said to be reworking the phone’s hardware, focusing on three major improvements: Apple reportedly doesn’t view the Air lineup as cancelled, just on pause until it’s ready to meet expectations.
Why does the delay make sense?
Originally, the
iPhone Air 2 was supposed to launch in 2026 along with the iPhone 18 series launch. However, the timeline is pushed to 2027 now. The iPhone Fold is most likely to be launched with iPhone 18 series in its place. The first Air may have proved that thinner isn’t always better, especially when it comes to battery life and camera performance, two areas that define most users’ smartphone experience.
Apple’s decision to delay the iPhone Air 2 reflects a broader theme in its recent hardware strategy: quality over speed. Instead of chasing yearly updates that grab headlines, the company appears focused on refining what’s already out there. For now, the iPhone Air series isn’t dead, but its comeback will take a little longer. Ultra-thin phones are here to stay, at least from Apple. It's just that it needs a slight rethink on Apple's part.
