The launch of Apple’s iPhone Air had a strong start, especially in China, where the ultra-slim flagship quickly sold out both online and in physical stores. However, just hours after the news broke about its remarkable success in the world’s largest smartphone market, reports have surfaced that the iPhone Air’s performance is not as impressive in other regions, leading to a significant revision in Apple’s production plans for the device. 
A research firm has now adjusted its forecast for iPhone Air production by reducing it by a substantial 1 million units, signaling a shift in expectations for the device’s performance outside of China.
According to Mizuho Securities, a well-known Japanese investment banking and securities company, the iPhone Air has not been performing as well as Apple had hoped in markets outside of China. This has prompted analysts to revise their forecasts for the flagship phone’s production in 2025. The original forecast for Apple’s annual iPhone shipments, which stood at a lofty 246 million units, has now been slashed by 7 percent, bringing the expected total down to 229 million units for 2026. This revision in forecast is a direct consequence of the underperformance of the iPhone Air in various international markets.
While other iPhone models are seeing better-than-expected sales, the iPhone Air has struggled to match up. Specifically, the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max have seen slight improvements in their sales numbers compared to last year. The base model, the iPhone 17, has also performed remarkably well, with demand far exceeding expectations. In contrast, the iPhone Air has failed to generate the same excitement, leading to the lowered production numbers for this particular variant.
Interestingly, while the iPhone 17 and its Pro variants have been a bright spot for Apple, the iPhone Air’s performance has been lackluster. As a result, Mizuho Securities has raised the production forecast for the non-Pro iPhone 17 models by 2 million units, while the Pro variants (iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max) will see increases of 1 million and 4 million units, respectively. However, the production forecast for the iPhone Air has been downgraded by 1 million units, a significant adjustment given the initial expectations.
Despite the struggles in other parts of the world, the iPhone Air has maintained its popularity in China. Apple’s flagship device has captured the attention of the Chinese market, with the country being a significant driver of the device’s success. This is a major advantage for Apple, especially when compared to its competitors. Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge, for instance, faced a series of challenges that ultimately led to the cancellation of the Galaxy S26 Edge next year. In contrast, Apple is still pushing forward with the iPhone Air, even though there are concerns that the device’s demand may not hold up in the coming weeks.
Ultimately, the iPhone Air’s trajectory may change depending on how the device is received in the coming weeks and months. If the demand for the slim smartphone continues to dip, it’s possible that Apple will increase production for its other iPhone models. As it stands, the iPhone 17 and its Pro versions are seeing strong demand, and Apple may shift its focus towards these models if the Air’s performance continues to falter.