Apple halts iPhone Air 2: Is iPhone Air a flop?

The next lightweight smartphone, the iPhone Air 2, has been apparently put on hold by Apple, an unprecedented and unusual action and only a few months after the launch of its own Air smartphone. A report by The Information has shown that Apple has instructed engineers and supply partners that the second-generation iPhone Air was removed from the production schedule, having not yet scheduled an up-to-date release date. This move is termed as once in a lifetime, and one that poses a radical reconsideration of the future of the lighter iPhone range of Apple. Why has Apple taken such a decision? Is the iPhone Air a flop? What can be Apple’s new strategy? Read further to find out all details about the halt on iPhone Air 2.

iPhone Air 2: Inside the iPhone Air 2 delay

Several sources working on the project confirm that Apple is not fully abandoning the iPhone Air 2, it is just taking a break and redefining the product line. Even though some of the engineers and manufacturing partners continue to be on the project, Apple must be considering re-positioning or re-designing the Air before it is reintroduced.

The iPhone Air 2 should have been released next year together with the iPhone 18 Pro and the highly anticipated iPhone Fold. It has been reported that the lightweight Air, has a larger battery, a thinner and lighter body and vapor chamber cooling features, as new trends were launched with the iPhone 17 Pro. There had been leaks also of a dual-camera configuration, a first in the Air series.

iPhone Air : Market response and production cuts

This move to cease the project is informed by the fact that the original iPhone Air has a not-so-good demand. The Air, launched as a lighter and lower priced product, was reportedly struggling in a market that was moving beyond portability or lighter weight, towards performance, battery life and the capability of the camera.

Foxconn and Luxshare, the production partners have already cut their assembly lines and most of the Air series operations are being shut down by the end of the current month. Such a shortening is indicative of shifts in priorities of Apple and its willingness to shift course as customer feedback and sales data indicates.

What’s next for Apple’s iPhone lineup?

Although the Air is not very strong, Apple seems to have a solid future product portfolio, including iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the first foldable iPhone, which will lead the future releases. Moreover, there are the standard iPhone 18 and a new iPhone 18e that will most probably appear at the beginning of 2027.

More importantly, there is still hope that the underweight and lightweight Air concept will see the light of the day. It has been reported that Apple may consider going back to the iPhone Air again as early as spring 2027, and launch a refreshed model alongside the iPhone 18 standard models. It would provide Apple with yet another opportunity to be creative and customise the Air to a new age in the evolution of its products, maybe to bring it closer to the needs of the users in terms of functionality and all-day usability.

Disclaimer: The information regarding the gadgets/devices listed in the table and article has been sourced from various secondary sources. For detailed product specifications, please refer to the brand sources.