Apple unveiled its remarkably slender 5.6mm iPhone Air in September, launching it alongside the broader iPhone 17 lineup. Prior to this, whispers suggested the device was struggling with lackluster demand, leading to rumored production cuts of up to a million units. However, new insights indicate that the iPhone Air might not be facing the challenges previously thought. A recent investor note reveals that Apple is holding firm on its manufacturing schedule, aiming for 7 million units during the crucial 2025 holiday quarter. This fresh data contradicts earlier comparisons to the ill-fated iPhone mini’s struggles, suggesting consistent demand and stable production plans for the Air model.
iPhone Air Demand Remains Robust, Says Analyst
A detailed investor note from TD Cowen (TD Securities), dated October 26, confidently states that Apple has no intentions of reducing iPhone Air production in 2025. The firm confirms that Apple’s projections for the iPhone Air in October are holding steady, with production targets of 3 million units for the third quarter of 2025 and an ambitious 7 million units for the fourth quarter of 2025. Furthermore, TD Cowen anticipates that total iPhone 17 series production will hit 54 million units in the September quarter and 79 million in the December quarter.
It’s crucial to remember, however, that production numbers alone don’t always paint a complete picture of sales success. Apple frequently adjusts its manufacturing output. These revisions often stem from initial forecasts that were either overly optimistic or too cautious, rather than indicating genuine struggles with iPhone sales. Essentially, these shifts tell us more about Apple’s planning process than the actual market demand for its devices.
The positive outlook from TD Cowen stands in stark contrast to previous assessments from other industry analysts. Earlier this month, a report from Nikkei Asia, for example, asserted that Apple was indeed scaling back production of its new iPhone Air due to underwhelming sales performance outside the Chinese market.
Conversely, other models within the series—the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max—were reportedly experiencing robust demand. Despite the rumored adjustments for the Air model, Apple was believed to be maintaining its ambitious overall production target of 85–90 million units for the entire iPhone 17 lineup.
These earlier reports also indicated that suppliers had been instructed to cut orders for iPhone Air components and modules, with a significant drop in November production compared to September. At the time, speculation even suggested that iPhone Air production might have neared ‘end-of-production’ levels, potentially representing less than 10 percent of initial forecasts.
For consumers in India, the iPhone Air begins at Rs. 1,19,900 for the 256GB version. This device boasts the title of Apple’s thinnest iPhone ever, measuring a mere 5.6mm. Constructed with 80 percent recycled titanium, it also incorporates Ceramic Shield 2 glass on both its front and back, promising up to four times greater crack resistance, according to Apple. Key features include a vibrant 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, runs on iOS 26, and is powered by an A19 Pro chip with Apple Intelligence capabilities, a powerful 48-megapixel main camera, an 18-megapixel selfie camera, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and an impressive claimed battery life of up to 27 hours.