iPhone Air 2 arrives after first model's failure: sales dropped 80%, value fell 44%

Apple is preparing to launch the iPhone Air 2, but the first model has endured a difficult year. Since its release in September 2025, the device has faced near-zero demand, production cuts, and significant discounts, raising questions about the lineup's future.

According to a KeyBanc Capital Markets survey, demand for the iPhone Air was virtually nonexistent within weeks of its launch. Supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that suppliers were asked to cut capacity by more than 80% between launch and early 2026. Luxshare and Foxconn both wound down production, and the device is believed to be entirely out of manufacture.

In March, Apple heavily discounted the iPhone Air, and SellCell data showed its ten-week depreciation averaged 44.3%, compared to 34.6% for the iPhone 17. Leaker Digital Chat Station said in May that activations barely surpassed 700,000 even after multiple rounds of price cuts.

The device's issues were clear: a single rear camera made the $999 phone look less capable than the cheaper iPhone 17, which has two. The absence of the iPhone 17 Pro's vapor chamber cooling meant the Air ran warmer under load, and it also lacked stereo speakers. Battery life fell short of a full day for many users, partly mitigated by a separate MagSafe battery accessory.

Attention now shifts to the iPhone Air 2, and the key question is what changes Apple will make to address the first model's shortcomings. The successor is expected to be unveiled in the coming months, and its specifications will determine whether the lineup can win back consumer trust after a rocky debut.